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Lisa Kudrow Reflects on Postpartum Return to Work and Friends Filming Challenges
Lisa Kudrow discussed returning to work 10 days after giving birth to her son in 1998 for the film Analyze This. She described the decision as insane and highlighted the grueling schedule on Friends, including shoots lasting until 2 a.m. Kudrow also shared that her son Julian showed little interest in the sitcom.
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returned to work 10 days after giving birth to her son Julian in 1998.
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She attended a meeting for the film Analyze This, starring Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro. Production began sooner than expected, requiring her to travel to New York with a baby nurse accompanying her. Kudrow expressed concerns about leaving her newborn but proceeded after encouragement from those around her.
She later described the decision as insane and stated she would not repeat it.
10 seasons and became a prominent sitcom.
Kudrow portrayed Phoebe Buffay during the show's run from 1994 to 2004. Episodes often required six hours or more to film, with sessions frequently extending into the early morning hours. Kudrow was 30 or 31 when filming began and was pregnant during that period.
m. , and overtime compensation likely applied, though details on union compliance remain unclear.
“I'm looking back, and I had given birth to my son, and 10 days later I was at a meeting... for Analyze This.”
in Friends Kudrow's son Julian, now 27, watched Friends primarily in junior high to follow discussions with classmates. He has not viewed all episodes and showed genuine disinterest in the series. Julian's long-term girlfriend has also never watched the 1990s sitcom.
The Friends cast developed close relationships, especially in the early years. The female cast members lunched together daily, with male cast members occasionally joining. Kudrow described the group as playful and bonded like puppies. Kudrow currently stars in the third season of HBO's The Comeback as Valerie Cherish. Her son Julian appears in a recurring role, marking his HBO debut.
