Friends remains one of the most beloved sitcoms in TV history, following six friends navigating life and love in New York City from 1994 to 2004. With its perfect mix of humor and heart, the show catapulted its star-studded cast—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer—into global fame.
Among them, Lisa Kudrow’s portrayal of Phoebe Buffay stands out as a fan favorite. Phoebe’s quirky charm, street smarts, and unforgettable songs like “Smelly Cat” made her the free-spirited soul of the group. Her journey—from a tough upbringing to finding love and family—resonated deeply with audiences worldwide. One of her most touching moments came in the series finale’s season 10 wedding episode, where Phoebe marries Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd), a scene so powerful it reportedly moved Kudrow to tears even years later.
Lisa Kudrow Gets Sentimental Rewatching Phoebe’s Wedding
“The One Where Kudrow Feels Phoebe’s Happiness All Over Again”
Lisa Kudrow recently opened up about the wave of emotions she experienced revisiting one of Phoebe Buffay’s most memorable moments on Friends. Known for avoiding watching the show after filming wrapped—due to anxiety and embarrassment over seeing herself on screen—Kudrow’s perspective began to shift following the passing of her Friends co-star Matthew Perry. Perry’s loss inspired her to finally explore episodes she hadn’t seen before.
Despite Phoebe’s close ties with Frank Jr. and her birth mother, Phoebe Abbott, none of her family members appear at her wedding in Season 10, adding a bittersweet note to the celebration.
During a heartfelt chat with Jesse Tyler Ferguson on his podcast Dinner’s On Me (via Deadline), Kudrow shared that Phoebe’s wedding episode (Season 10, Episode 12) holds a special place in her heart. Watching Phoebe walk down the aisle, glowing in satin and surrounded by lifelong friends both on and off-screen, brought Kudrow to tears. She reflected:
“When Phoebe got married, and she’s walking down the aisle with this huge smile on her face, I teared up because she was so happy. She was just honestly happy, and it was really touching to me. Like, she deserves to be this happy.”
Kudrow also revealed the unique challenge of watching Friends two decades after its finale:
“God forbid if anyone walked into my house and saw me watching my show, I’d be mortified. There are episodes I’ve never seen. I was at the table read, but I don’t know what the rewrites were for the other stories. There are episodes I just never saw and still haven’t because I’m still deciding how to work my way through it. There’s a certain amount of anxiety around watching it.”
Our Take on Lisa Kudrow’s Emotional Reaction to Phoebe’s Wedding
Lisa Kudrow’s heartfelt tears over Phoebe’s relationship with Mike speak volumes about the enduring impact Friends has had—not just on its fans, but on the actors themselves. Her genuine affection for Phoebe highlights just how real and meaningful that wedding moment was, not only for the audience but also for the actress who gave life to the character.
Kudrow’s candidness captures the timeless magic of Friends, a show that continues to make us laugh, cry, and feel deeply connected to these beloved characters—even years after they’ve moved on from “Banana Hammock” days to marriages, children, and beyond.
