Lisa Kudrow is holding her memory of late costar Matthew Perry close. During a Saturday, March 28 appearance on Capital FM, the actress, 62, revealed she decided to rewatch Friends after Perry died at age 54 in October 2023 due to a drug overdose.
“After Matthew passed away, there were marathons [on TV] and that was really comforting watching the show,” she said. “Also just because it makes me laugh, and there he was, and he was just so funny. I mean, the funniest. Sorry everybody else, but yeah, just truly. So I thought, ‘Alright, now I need to – Why don’t I just see what this show’s about,’ you know? ‘Cause I didn’t watch every episode when we were shooting. I had a kid and I don’t know, just none of us were.”
Kudrow was asked whether anything surprised her while reminiscing.
“No, the great thing, because when I would see parts of it or something, and see myself, I would be, depending on my mood, like, ‘Ugh, come on, just stop it. Why’d you do that?’” she replied. “And now I can just say, ‘Alright, I can forgive you for that.’ And also, ‘Oh! She’s funny.’ Yeah, she’s a funny character, but everyone’s making me laugh my a– off.”
During a Sunday, March 22 interview on CBS Sunday Morning, the 62-year-old reiterated the importance of rewatching Friends for the first time as a tribute to Perry.
“I [hadn’t] watched it [before]. I think I was self-conscious if anyone walked by and saw me watching my own show. It embarrassed me. But when Matthew passed away, there were marathons, and I watched it, and it really did comfort me,” she explained. “It wasn’t about me. It was about watching Matthew and all of us, and it was this other thing, and I really enjoyed it.”
The show’s ability to draw people closer is what keeps it relevant to Kudrow to this day.
“It got people through a hard time, feeling really isolated and alone, and it helped fill a hole or made them feel a connection,” she expressed. “I think, especially now, you wouldn’t expect young people to still want to watch an old show, a 20-something, 30-year-old show. The technology is different, all of that. But I do feel like there’s this unconscious nostalgia for connection.”
The actress is not ashamed that people are linking her to her Friends character decades after its 1994 debut.
“I never went through that period of, ‘No, no, I don’t want to talk about Friends, I have to move on, and I want to play other characters, and no, you have to know me from…’” she said. “No, no, that’s fine… Friends gave me everything. It just did. And I loved being Phoebe. I loved the whole experience, and I don’t want to move away from it.”
The Impact of Revisiting ‘Friends’
For Lisa Kudrow, rewatching Friends was more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It became a way to process her grief over Matthew Perry’s passing and to reconnect with the joy of the show. Kudrow admitted that she hadn’t watched the entire series during its original run, partly because of her personal life and the pressures of being part of such a high-profile production.
Her decision to revisit the show came after Perry’s death, which left many of the cast members, including Kudrow, reflecting on their shared history. She described how watching the show again provided a sense of comfort, allowing her to appreciate the humor and camaraderie that made Friends so special.
- Watching the show again allowed her to reflect on her own performance as Phoebe.
- She found it easier to forgive herself for past moments on screen.
- The experience also helped her connect with the audience, who continue to cherish the show.
A Connection That Endures
Kudrow emphasized that Friends has a unique ability to bring people together, even years after its initial broadcast. She noted that the show’s relevance today is a testament to its universal appeal and the emotional connections it fosters.
- The show’s humor and relatable characters have stood the test of time.
- Younger generations continue to engage with the series, showing that its impact is far-reaching.
- Kudrow believes that the show’s legacy lies in its ability to create a sense of community and belonging.
Embracing the Legacy
Despite the passage of time, Kudrow remains proud of her role as Phoebe and the contribution she made to the success of Friends. She acknowledged that some actors might feel the need to distance themselves from their most famous roles, but for her, the experience was invaluable.
- She has never felt the need to move on from her association with the show.
- Kudrow feels that Friends gave her a platform and opportunities that shaped her career.
- She continues to embrace the character and the memories that come with it.
Final Thoughts
Lisa Kudrow’s journey of revisiting Friends highlights the power of television to heal, connect, and inspire. Her reflections offer a glimpse into the personal and professional significance of the show, both for the cast and the audience. As the world continues to celebrate the legacy of Friends, Kudrow’s story serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of a beloved series.
