Lisa Kudrow plays Lucia, the cynical, protective friend of Bill's, who constantly has her guard up against anyone who tries to enter their lives. The loss of her brother has had a devastating effect on her and adds to the loneliness that is her closest companion.
Kudrow recently starred with Mira Sorvino in the critically-acclaimed hit comedy Romy &
Michele's High School Reunion. She co-starred in Albert Brooks' comedy Mother and she stars in the upcoming film Clockwatchers, with Toni Collette and Parker Posey.
She is best known for her Emmy-nominated character Phoebe, from the hit comedy series
Friends. She has been twice nominated by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for an Emmy, in addition to receiving nominations from the Golden Globe and Screen Actor's Guild for her work on Friends.
Kudrow has always been passionate about acting, but never thought of it as a career until after college. While growing up, she performed and reenacted many of her favorite Broadway shows for family and friends, but in high school, the California native was nicknamed 'Einstein' because she devoted much of her time to studying and playing tennis. She graduated from Vassar College with a Bachelor's degree in biology and intended to pursue a career in research to work with her father, a world-renown headache specialist.
When Kudrow returned to California after college, her passion to act and perform resurfaced. Her brother's good friend, actor/comedian Jon Lovitz, inspired her to pursue her dream. She began studying with improvisational instructor Cynthia Szigeti and acting teacher Ian Tucker and, in 1989, she was accepted as a member of the famed Los Angeles improv group, The Groundlings.
Kudrow has the distinction of being in two outstanding television series simultaneously. Along with her role as Phoebe in Friends, Lisa portrays the waitressly-challenged but lovable Ursula on NBC's comedy Mad About You. In fact, the two characters are sisters' which provides opportunities for Lisa to go back and forth between two of the most popular series on television.
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