Best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, Lisa Kudrow is a successful actress, comedian, writer, and producer. With more than three decades of career success, she has amassed substantial wealth through television, film, and production deals. Her estimated net worth as of 2024 is approximately $130 million, reflecting her enduring popularity and varied career.
Early Beginnings and Breakthrough with Friends
Born on July 30, 1963, in Encino, California, Lisa Kudrow did not initially pursue acting. She earned a degree in biology at Vassar College and planned to become a researcher like her father. But she soon discovered her passion in comedy and acting when she joined the improv group The Groundlings.
In 1994, Kudrow was cast as Phoebe Buffay on Friends. The show ran for ten seasons and made Kudrow and her co-stars household names. Each Friends cast member started out earning $22,500 per episode, but as the show grew in popularity, salaries spiked significantly. During the final two seasons, Kudrow and her co-stars earned $1 million per episode, making them some of the then-highest paid TV actors.
Earnings beyond Friends
Although her most lucrative project to date was Friends, Kudrow has maintained her wealth through several roles on television and film. After Friends ended in 2004, she starred in various successful films like Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion (1997), The Opposite of Sex (1998), and Analyze This (1999) with Robert De Niro. All these projects helped her net worth rise.
Kudrow also did some production work. She created the critically acclaimed series The Comeback (2005, 2014), in which she showcased her talent as an actress and a producer. Though the show did not do well in terms of ratings, became a cult favorite that added to her industry credibility.
Royalties and Syndication
Part of Kudrow’s fortune comes from Friends royalties. Even decades after Friends ended, the show is still hugely popular, particularly with its syndication deals and streaming rights. The show is licensed to several platforms, including Netflix and HBO Max for hundreds of millions of dollars. The six main cast members reportedly earn around $20 million annually from these royalties. Kudrow’s ongoing income from Friends has kept her financially stable long after the series ended.
Other Ventures and Investments
Along with her acting and production work, Lisa Kudrow has invested and endorsed many products over the years. She has also done voice work in several animated films and television series, including BoJack Horseman and The Boss Baby, demonstrating her versatility in live-action and animation projects. Kudrow also acted on Netflix’s Space Force and HBO’s The White Lotus.
Kudrow is also known to have interest in real estate. She has made smart property investments in Los Angeles and elsewhere. Like many savvy celebrities, her real estate portfolio has appreciated in value, which has helped her financially.
