Lisa Kudrow Opens Up About "Devastating" Firing from Frasier and Overcoming Doubts for Friends

Kudrow talks reflects back on her life before her role in Friends

Lisa Kudrow has shared a candid reflection on her career journey, revealing how a "devastating" experience with a previous show nearly derailed her confidence. The acclaimed actress, best known for her iconic role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, admitted that being fired from Frasier had a profound impact on her self-esteem.

In 1993, Kudrow was cast to play Roz Doyle on Frasier alongside Kelsey Grammer. However, before the pilot episode was even filmed, she was replaced by Peri Gilpin. Kudrow described the experience as “devastating” and recalled feeling “hopeless” about her future in television. She noted that the decision seemed like a correction of what she believed to be a casting mistake, admitting, “I think they were just correcting a mistake. Perri should have always been Roz.”

Despite this setback, Kudrow's career took a pivotal turn. Her part in Mad About You led to her being invited back multiple times, which she initially saw as a financial relief, saying, “There’s my rent for the year.”

The turning point came when Kudrow auditioned for the role of Phoebe Buffay on Friends. The role was suggested by writer and producer Jeffrey Klarik, but it meant facing director James Burrows once again. Kudrow admitted that she worried her audition might be “hopeless,” yet she ultimately secured the role that would define her career. Her performance on Friends earned her an Emmy for Best Actress and solidified her status as a television icon.

 

 

Kudrow’s success on Friends, which aired from 1994 to 2004, allowed her and her co-stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, and Matthew Perry, to reach unprecedented heights in television earnings, with each eventually earning $1 million per episode.

In a more personal note, Kudrow revealed that she struggled to watch herself on the show for years due to embarrassment. However, she has recently revisited the series in tribute to her late co-star, Matthew Perry, who passed away in October 2023. Kudrow explained, “Honestly, I wasn’t able to watch it because it’s too embarrassing to watch yourself. But if I make it about Matthew, then that’s OK.”

Lisa Kudrow’s journey from a challenging career setback to becoming a beloved television star highlights her resilience and the profound impact of Friends on her life and career.