Lisa Kudrow reflects on the challenges of building friendships with the ‘Friends’ cast

Lisa Kudrow reveals how building real friendships with the Friends cast required communication and effort.

Lisa Kudrow, best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on the iconic sitcom Friends, recently opened up about the complexities of building real friendships with her co-stars.

Speaking on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Kudrow shared that the close bond between the six cast members took time and effort to develop.

The ensemble cast of Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, Matthew Perry, and Kudrow shared a unique "six-way relationship," which Kudrow admitted initially felt challenging. “It didn’t get too big because it was, ‘Can I talk to you?’” she recalled, emphasizing the importance of open communication. Kudrow added that she sometimes struggled with initiating such conversations but learned from her co-stars.

“I saw it modeled really well by Courteney, Jennifer, and Matt,” Kudrow said, expressing admiration for their communication skills.

The NBC hit series ran for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004, during which the cast formed a strong bond. Their connection extended beyond the show, with the group devastated by Matthew Perry’s passing in 2023. Perry tragically drowned at home due to the acute effects of ketamine. “We were more than just cast mates. We are a family,” the surviving cast members said in a joint statement.

Despite moving on to new projects, including her Netflix series No Good Deed, Kudrow remains grateful for her time on Friends. “It’s a blessing,” she shared, acknowledging the enduring fan love for the series.

Kudrow’s reflections highlight the effort required to maintain strong relationships, even among those who share iconic television history.