Friends star Lisa Kudrow admits she teared up watching one of Phoebe’s biggest moments. The show is one of television’s most beloved sitcoms, following six fresh-faced young adults as they navigate life and love in New York City. Debuting in 1994 and running for 10 seasons, its relatable humor and heartfelt characters turned Friends into one of the biggest TV shows of all time. Friends’ star-studded cast featured Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer, each bringing their distinct personalities to shine in small cafés and even smaller apartments.
Phoebe Buffay, portrayed by Lisa Kudrow, is one of Friends’ most popular characters. A street-smart musician and massage therapist with a tragic backstory, Phoebe evolves from her scrappy beginnings to find love and family throughout the acclaimed sitcom. Known for her quirky personality and original out-of-tune songs like “Smelly Cat,” Phoebe is the free-spirited heart of the group, earning Kudrow her international acclaim. A standout moment in her journey comes when Phoebe decides to marry Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd), culminating in a heartwarming wedding episode during season 10.
Lisa Kudrow Gets Sentimental After Rewatching Phoebe’s Wedding
The One Where Kudrow Feels Phoebe’s Happiness All Over Again
Lisa Kudrow’s rediscovery of Phoebe Buffay’s story brought a fresh wave of emotions to the actor. She has famously admitted to not watching Friends after filming, citing a mix of anxiety and embarrassment about seeing herself on-screen. This began to change following the passing of her co-star Matthew Perry, who hilariously portrayed Joey’s sarcastic roommate and Monica’s eventual husband, Chandler. This encouraged her to start exploring episodes she had neglected to see before.
While speaking with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on the Modern Family star’s podcast Dinner’s On Me (via Deadline), Kudrow shared that Phoebe’s wedding episode (season 10, episode 12) has a soft spot in her heart. Reflecting on her time on set, Kudrow felt overcome with emotions when watching Phoebe’s happiness unfold before her in satin and white, surrounded by lifelong friendships that grew even behind the camera. For Kudrow, revisiting that milestone offered a new perspective on the character she portrayed so memorably. Here’s what the actor had to say:
When Phoebe got married, and she’s walking down the aisle and has this huge smile on her face, I teared up because she was so happy. She was so just, like, honestly happy, and it was just — I don’t know. It was really touching to me. Like, she deserves to be this happy.
Kudrow also commented on the unique experience of watching Friends 20 years after the release of the sitcom’s final season:
God forbid, if anyone walked into my house and saw me watching my show, I’d be mortified. There’s episodes I’ve never seen. I mean I was at the table read. I don’t know what the rewrites were for the other stories, you know? There are episodes I just never saw, and still haven’t because I’m still deciding how to work my way through it . It’s like there’s a certain amount of anxiety around watching it.
Our Take On Lisa Kudrow’s Reaction To Phoebe’s Wedding
The One Where Phoebe Brings Kudrow (And Us) To TearsMike and Phoebe in Friends
Kudrow’s teary-eyed response to Phoebe’s relationship with Mike is a testament to how the legacy of Friends continues to live on in the hearts of its creators. The actor’s sincere love for her character shows how genuine Phoebe’s happiness at the altar was—not just for the audience, but also for the performer who brought her to life. Kudrow’s openness reflects the universal appeal of Friends, its ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and feel connected to these characters even decades after they’ve gotten married, had children, and no longer go by the name of “Banana Hammock.”
