Lisa Kudrow, aka Phoebe Buffay, says watching ‘Friends’ is ‘really comforting’ after Matthew Perry’s demise

Lisa Kudrow is remembering her real-life friend and co-star from ‘Friends,’ Matthew Perry. Kudrow, who played Phoebe in the 10-season sitcom, revealed that nearly three years after Matthew Perry passed away, she watches reruns of the series to honor his life. Perry, who played Chandler Bing in the show, passed away on October 23, 2023, at the age of 54.

Lisa Kudrow says Chandler is the funniest in the show

During her appearance on Capital FM, Lisa shared, “After Matthew passed away, there were marathons (on TV) and that was really comforting watching the show.” she added, “also just because it makes me laugh, and there he was. He was so funny, I mean, the funniest,” Lisa said, referring to Matthew’s portrayal of Chandler Bing in the show. “Sorry, everybody else, but just truly.”

Lisa Kudrow shares everyone in the show made her laugh

As for her other castmates Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox, David Schwimmer and Matt LeBlanc, the 62-year-old made sure to give the rest of her costars their props, adding, “Everyone is making me laugh my a** off.”

Lisa Kudrow also shared how she almost never stopped to watch an episode while filming the show. “I didn’t watch every episode when we were shooting. I had a kid and none of us were,” she recalled. “It was, like, ‘Oh, it’s Thursday night [at] eight o’clock?’ We were on too early.”

Reflecting on the show’s impact, Lisa also touched on the show’s importance in a chaotic world. Noting that as an actor she didn't want to take showbiz “too seriously,” Lisa explained that “you realize how important that kind of escape with a laugh that makes you feel good" is. “It’s just important,” she added that it's healing.

Certainly, the beloved sitcom, which aired from 1994 to 2004 and spanned 236 episodes, remains close to Lisa Kudrow’s heart.