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Last July, Lisa Kudrow received her fifth Emmy Award nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Phoebe, the spacey but lovable folk singer and massage therapist (she took home the statuette in 1998). She has also received a Screen Actors Guild Award (and two additional nominations) for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series, an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Female Performer in a Television Series and a Golden Globe Award nomination for her performance on “Friends.”
In addition to her success on television, Kudrow has received rave reviews for her feature-film roles. She won the Best Supporting Actress Award from the New York Film Critics and an Independent Spirit Award nomination and a Chicago Film Critics Award nomination for her portrayal of “Lucia” in the Don Roos-directed film “The Opposite of Sex.” She also starred opposite Billy Crystal and Robert DeNiro in the film “Analyze This,” for which she won a Blockbuster Award.
Earlier this year, she completed filming “Marci X,” alongside Damon Wayans, set to be released in 2002. Kudrow also starred in the film “Hanging Up” opposite Meg Ryan and Diane Keaton, and appeared opposite John Travolta in “Lucky Numbers,” a comedy from Nora Ephron.
In 1997, she starred in the critically acclaimed hit comedy “Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion” with Mira Sorvino, and co-starred in Albert Brooks’ comedy “Mother.” She also starred in “Clockwatchers” opposite Toni Collette and Parker Posey.
Kudrow has always been passionate about acting, but never thought of it as a career until after college. While growing up, she performed and reenacted many of her favorite movie scenes for family and friends.
Kudrow graduated from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She returned to Los Angeles intending to pursue a career in research, but her passion to act and perform resurfaced when her brother’s good friend, actor/comedian Jon Lovitz, inspired her to pursue her dream. She began studying with improvisational instructor Cynthia Szigeti and acting teacher Ian Tucker. In 1989, Kudrow was accepted as a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group, the Groundlings.
Kudrow has the distinction of being in two outstanding television series simultaneously. Along with her role on “Friends,” she portrayed the ditzy waitress Ursula on the NBC comedy “Mad About You.” The two characters are twin sisters, which provided opportunities for her to go back and forth between what at the time were two of the most popular series on television.
A native of California, she currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband and son. Her birthday is July 30.
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