Lisa Kudrow ‘still emotional’ over how 'Friends' helped fans after 9/11

Lisa Kudrow admits she still gets “a little emotional” thinking about the role her iconic sitcom Friends played in helping people cope after the tragic events of 9/11.

The 62-year-old, who famously played the quirky, ever-optimistic Phoebe Buffay, reflected on how the show became a lifeline for viewers during one of America’s darkest moments. 

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Lisa said: “After 9/11, I understood how important entertainment really is… comedies, in particular. Friends gave people an escape.”

She recalled poignant encounters with fans while driving home from set. 

“People would be at a stoplight, look over and just go, ‘Thank you,’ like they were about to cry,” she said. 

“After 9/11, it still gets me a little emotional. I fully understood what they meant.”

Lisa described this as a turning point in her understanding of the impact TV shows can have. 

“I felt very proud to be contributing to a break for people… it was almost like a mental health service,” she said.

Interestingly, while Friends provided comfort to millions, The Comeback star herself found solace in NBC’s Will & Grace. 

She told People in 2023: “After 9/11, all I was doing was watching the news… I just needed a break, and I was so grateful there was something to watch where 9/11 hadn’t happened at all. It was a break I really needed.”

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