Lisa Kudrow, renowned for her iconic portrayal of Phoebe Buffay on Friends, has shocked fans by revealing the staggering residuals she and her co-stars still rake in every year. Despite Friends ending over two decades ago, Kudrow, 62, and her fellow stars—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer, and the late Matthew Perry—continue to make an eye-watering $20 million annually from the show’s ongoing global syndication.
In a candid interview with The Times, Kudrow opened up about the enduring financial success of the series, which ran for ten seasons from 1994 to 2004. She reflected on the collective salary negotiations that saw the stars go from $22,500 per episode in season one to an extraordinary $1 million each by the final two seasons. But it’s not just the upfront paydays that have made these actors wealthy; the residuals keep flowing in.
Kudrow shared how, even though the cast reunited for a Friends special on HBO Max in 2021—earning $2.5 million each for the nostalgic return—their true fortune lies in the show’s global syndication. She noted how the series continues to make a remarkable amount of money each year, a testament to its worldwide appeal and undying fanbase.
“I don’t think any of us anticipated just how much the show would continue to resonate with audiences,” Kudrow said, expressing how she has come to appreciate the show’s lasting brilliance, especially after the tragic passing of Matthew Perry in October 2023. “It was only after Matthew’s passing that I watched the show again and truly saw just how amazing it was.”
In the interview, Kudrow also touched on her own journey within the show’s cast. Despite her success, she revealed that, at the height of Friends’ popularity, she felt somewhat overshadowed by her co-stars, particularly Jennifer and Courteney. “Nobody cared about me,” she admitted, explaining how she was often referred to as “the sixth Friend” by parts of her talent agency.
While Kudrow struggled for opportunities beyond Friends during its run, she went on to build a notable career post-series, starring in the acclaimed HBO series The Comeback. Her role in the 1999 film Analyze This, alongside Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal, was a turning point that led to a slew of new and exciting roles. Despite the challenges, Kudrow proved herself to be a resilient talent who carved out a unique place in Hollywood.
Kudrow’s reflections on Phoebe Buffay are equally revealing. Despite her becoming synonymous with the ditzy character, Kudrow emphasized how different she was from Phoebe at the start of the series. “Phoebe was very, very far from me,” Kudrow explained, noting the efforts she put into understanding the role and the character’s quirky nature. Over time, however, she found parts of herself resonating with Phoebe, leading to a deeper connection with the character.
As Kudrow continues to receive substantial income from Friends, she remains humble and appreciative of the extraordinary success that the series has achieved. “I don’t think any of us ever expected it to be this big,” she said, clearly grateful for the ongoing legacy of the show that remains as popular as ever.
