‘That Was Enough’: Lisa Kudrow Praises Matt LeBlanc For Helping Her Feel Relaxed During Friends Days

As a die-hard Friends fan, I can’t help but admire Lisa Kudrow’s journey as Phoebe Buffay. Her struggles to embrace her quirky character and the pivotal role Matt LeBlanc played in helping her navigate the show’s early days is nothing short of inspiring.


Lisa Kudrow, recognized primarily for her portrayal of Phoebe Buffay on Friends, shared a behind-the-scenes story about Matt LeBlanc’s assistance during the early stages of the show. In an interview with Sirius XM’s Where Everybody Knows Your Name on July 31, Kudrow discussed how LeBlanc’s support eased her apprehensions about playing Phoebe. She disclosed that his encouragement substantially lessened her concerns over her acting abilities.

Kudrow reminisced about an interaction with LeBlanc, stating, “If you’re acting overly emotional, someone gives you a firm reminder.” She elaborated, “It’s like, ‘Well, I appreciate that. That’s just what I required.'” Kudrow acknowledged that LeBlanc played a significant role in helping her escape a negative cycle and restore faith in her acting abilities.

Discussing more about her initial struggles with portraying Phoebe, Kudrow shared with host Ted Danson that it wasn’t until around a year and a half, or perhaps even two seasons, that she truly felt comfortable playing the character. “It took me that long to really feel like I had Phoebe figured out,” she admitted.

The actress shared that playing Phoebe, with her peculiar and seemingly irrational lines, demanded a distinct acting style, which sometimes made it challenging for her to rationalize the character’s frequently unusual remarks.

In a nutshell, the things Phoebe said were so irrational that they left me feeling like I had been hit with a sudden blow. As Kudrow recounted, it required significant effort to present her beliefs and actions as believable. Kudrow admitted that she truly worked on her acting skills to give life to Phoebe, but it was only later that she acknowledged she wasn’t putting in the same amount of work.

As Kudrow grappled with these feelings, LeBlanc intervened to offer a new outlook. “I’d say, ‘Something seems off,’ because I wasn’t delivering the performances I used to,” Kudrow clarified. She was troubled that she wasn’t maintaining the same level of dedication as she had in the show’s initial seasons. LeBlanc inquired about her state, asking, “What’s been happening with you?”

Kudrow disclosed their conversation. “I admitted, ‘I’m taking it easy. I’m not putting in the effort like I did during the first and second seasons, or for Phoebe’s character. It can’t be good,'” LeBlanc comforted her, adding, “No, you understand the character now. You don’t need to put in the same effort anymore. You’ve got it.”

Through this discussion, Kudrow found a new outlook as she acknowledged that she had become accustomed to her character. Reflecting on it, she said, “Oh, I see,” with a sense of relief washing over her.

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2024-08-01 12:24