Friends star Lisa Kudrow admits she cried watching one of Phoebe's biggest moments. The show is one of television's most beloved comedies, following six young adults as they navigate life and love in New York City. Debuting in 1994 and lasting 10 seasons, its relatable humor and heartfelt characters transformed Friends on one of the biggest TV shows of all time. FriendsThe 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 cafes and even smaller apartments.
Phoebe Buffay, played by Lisa Kudrow, is one of the Friends'most popular characters. A smart musician and massage therapist with a tragic backstory, Phoebe evolves from her difficult beginnings to find love and family over the course of the acclaimed sitcom. Known for her quirky personality and off-key original songs like “Smelly Cat”, Phoebe is the free-spirited heart of the groupearning Kudrow her international acclaim. A defining moment in her journey comes when Phoebe decides to marry Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd), culminating in an emotional wedding episode during season 10.
Lisa Kudrow gets sentimental after remembering Phoebe's wedding
The one where Kudrow feels Phoebe's happiness again
Lisa Kudrow's rediscovery of Phoebe Buffay's story brought a new wave of emotions to the actor. She is famous for admitting that she didn't watch it Friends after filming, citing a mix of anxiety and embarrassment at seeing herself on screen. That began to change after the passing of her co-star Matthew Perry, who hilariously played Joey's sarcastic roommate and Monica's eventual husband, Chandler. That encouraged her to start exploring episodes she had forgotten to see before.
When speaking with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on Modern Family star podcast Dinner is on me (through 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 was moved to see Phoebe's happiness unfold before her in satin and white, surrounded by lifelong friendships that grew even behind the camera. For Kudrow, revisiting this milestone offered a new perspective on the character she so memorably portrayed. Here's what the actor had to say:
When Phoebe gets married, and she's walking down the aisle and has a huge smile on her face, I cried because she was so happy. She was so honestly happy, and it was just – I don't know. It was really moving for me. Like, she deserves to be so happy.
Kudrow also commented on the unique experience of watching Friends 20 years after the release of the sitcom's last season:
God forbid, if someone came into my house and saw me watching my show, I would be mortified. There are episodes I've never seen. I mean, I was at the table reading. I don't know what the rewrites of the other stories were, you know? There are episodes I've never seen, and I haven't done this yet because I'm still deciding how to deal with it.. It's like there's a certain anxiety around watching it.
Our Take on Lisa Kudrow's Reaction to Phoebe's Wedding
The One Where Phoebe Brings Kudrow (and Us) to Tears
Kudrow's teary-eyed response to Phoebe's relationship with Mike is a testament to how the legacy of Friends continues to live in the hearts of its creators. The actor's sincere love for his character shows how genuine Phoebe's happiness was at the altar—not just for the audience, but also for the artist who brought it to life. Kudrow's opening reflects the universal appeal of Friendsits ability to make audiences laugh, cry, and feel connected to these characters, even decades after they got married, had kids, and were no longer called “Banana Hammock.”
Source: Dinner is on me (through Deadline)