Lisa Kudrow reflects on returning to work 10 days after giving birth

The actor recalls promoting major projects days after childbirth and says industry expectations were very different

Lisa Kudrow has spoken candidly about the pressures she faced early in her career, revealing that she returned to work just 10 days after giving birth to her son Julian in 1998, a period she now describes as reflecting a very different culture in Hollywood.

Speaking during an appearance on CBS Sunday Morning while promoting the latest season of her HBO series The Comeback, Kudrow reflected on how little consideration was given to maternity leave at the time. She recalled appearing on The Tonight Show shortly after childbirth, followed by professional meetings and early preparations for her role in Analyze This.

Kudrow described how industry expectations at the time left little room for recovery or adjustment to life as a new parent. She explained that her representatives reassured her she would not need to begin filming immediately, which led her to believe she would have additional time to recover. However, she later learned that production schedules required her to travel within days.

The actor said she was encouraged by those around her, including family and colleagues, to continue working despite the demands of caring for a newborn. She recalled being told that a baby nurse would accompany her and that her child would not be affected by the travel, advice she ultimately accepted despite her reservations.

Looking back, Kudrow described the experience as overwhelming and said she would not approach such a situation in the same way today. She emphasised that the expectation to prioritise work above all else was a common mindset in the industry during the 1990s.

“It’s insane. I would never do it now,” she said, reflecting on how attitudes have shifted over time. While she clarified that she does not blame individuals for the circumstances, she noted that the broader working culture at the time placed intense pressure on actors to remain available regardless of personal circumstances.

Kudrow’s comments highlight the wider conversation around workplace expectations in the entertainment industry, particularly for women balancing early motherhood with demanding careers. Since the 1990s, Hollywood has seen gradual changes in production practices, including improved parental leave policies and increased awareness of work life balance.

Despite the challenges she described, Kudrow went on to build a highly successful career, becoming globally recognised for her role as Phoebe Buffay in Friends and later earning acclaim for a range of film and television projects.