'The One With The Millions': How Lisa Kudrow Earns And Spends Her 'Friends' Fortune (2024)

Lisa Kudrow is an actress, screenwriter, and producer, best known for her portrayal of the eccentric yet endearing character Phoebe Buffay in the globally acclaimed sitcom Friends.

Born on July 30, 1963, Kudrow has had an illustrious career in the entertainment industry, which spans over three decades.

Her acting prowess extends beyond television, with notable performances in films such as Romy And Michele's High School Reunion, The Opposite Of Sex, and Easy A, to name a few.

Updated, November 2023: Lisa Kudrow and her castmates from Friends were in the news in late October and early November, due to the untimely death of fellow actor Matthew Perry.

Perry was found dead in the hot tub at his home in late October 2023. Along with the rest of the Friends cast, Kudrow signed a joint statement acknowledging their real-life friend's death.

Its signatories were clearly grieving, and their concise statement simply read:

"In time we will say more, as and when we are able ... For now, our thoughts and our love are with Matty’s family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world."

As of 2023, Kudrow's net worth is estimated at around $130 million. This wealth is not just a result of her acting career but also her ventures into production, screenwriting, and brand endorsem*nts.

Earns: Legendary Acting Career

Lisa Kudrow

Lisa Kudrow's acting career has been the primary source of her income.

A significant chunk of her net worth comes from her role in Friends, where she earned millions of dollars across its ten massively popular seasons.

Kudrow earned $22,500 per episode in the first season, which went up to $40,000 in the second season.

As the show's popularity reached unparalleled heights, the salary of the main cast, including Kudrow, went up to $750,000 per episode by seasons seven and eight, and finally, to $1 million per episode for the last two seasons.

As a result, Lisa Kudrow earned a whopping $90 million in base salary alone by the time the show concluded.

She, along with her co-stars Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox, were among the highest-paid actresses in the industry at the end of its run.

Spends: Investments In Real Estate

Lisa Kudrow’s massive net worth has allowed her to build a huge real estate portfolio worth millions of dollars.

Following her initial success on Friends in 1996, she cashed out $1.9 million to buy a stunning 6,400 square-foot home in Beverly Hills.

She went on to buy a second property in Beverly Hills for $2.4 million in 2001. Apart from a pair of homes in Beverly Hills, Kudrow also owned a $3.6 million penthouse in Park City, Utah.

These investments, while substantial expenditures, also serve as assets that contribute to her overall net worth.

Earns: Brand Endorsem*nts And TV Commercials

Over the years, Kudrow has endorsed several brands, leveraging her popularity to augment her income.

According to Influencer Intelligence, Kudrow has collaborated and appeared in TV commercials for big brands like Nintendo and Aquafina, as well as yogurt brand Yoplait.

While not as lucrative as her acting roles, these endorsem*nts have nonetheless added a significant amount to Kudrow's earnings.

Spends - Exquisite Car Collection

Lisa Kudrow's Cars, Porsche

With her stunning net worth, Lisa Kudrow can afford all kinds of luxuries, including the type of cars of which enthusiasts can only dream. She owns a fleet of vehicles, including basic daily drivers and expensive supercars.

According to Car HP, Kudrow uses a modest $28,000 Toyota Prius as her eco-friendly daily ride. Kudrow acquired a $38,500 Lexus RX350 with a white finish in 2010.

Apart from everyday driving cars, Kudrow also owns two high-end supercars: a $91,000 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, and a $125,000 Jaguar F-Type SVR.

Earns: Royalties From Friends

Lisa Kudrow's Royalties From Friends

Years after the final episode of Friends aired in 2004, Kudrow and the other cast members continued to earn substantial royalties from the show.

After making over $90 million in base salary alone, Kudrow earns an additional $10 to $20 million per year from syndication rights and revenue from reruns, making this an evergreen source of income for the comedic actress.

Spends: Philanthropic Endeavors

Lisa Kudrow's Charitable Endeavors

Kudrow is also known for her philanthropic efforts; she supports various charitable organizations and causes, dedicating much of her wealth to philanthropy.

Kudrow has actively contributed to charity organizations like Feeding America, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the Tony Hawk Foundation, to name a few.

While exact figures are not publicly available, her contributions are believed to be substantial.

Earns: Production And Screenwriting Career

Lisa Kudrow, "The Comeback"

Lisa Kudrow has also ventured into production and screenwriting, and her work behind the camera is as diverse as in front of the camera.

She has played the role of executive producer in several movies and TV shows, including Web Therapy, The Other Woman, The Comeback, and It Got Better, to name a few.

On top of her production ventures, Kudrow has also taken the reins of writing with projects like The Comeback and Web Therapy. These side ventures contribute significantly to her massive net worth.

Spends - Exotic Vacations

Lisa Kudrow, "Friends"

Lisa Kudrow enjoys spending her hard-earned money on vacations. She has been spotted vacationing in exotic locations worldwide along with her co-stars from Friends, and on family trips.

Kudrow and Courteney Cox were spotted soaking in the sunny blues of Malibu during the initial run of Friends. Paparazzi have also snapped Kudrow on overseas vacations in Dublin and Blackpool, England.

This multi-talented entertainer's earnings and expenditures reflect her multifaceted personality and successful career, from her acting career to brand endorsem*nts and real estate investments to exotic vacations.

Lisa Kudrow's story inspires aspiring actors and demonstrates the potential rewards of talent, hard work, and intelligent financial decisions.