Lisa Kudrow

Born: July 1963
Where: Encino, California, USA

Known primarily as scatterbrained Phoebe in Friends, Kudrow has carved out a considered career on the big screen.

She was named best supporting actress by the New York Film Critics for The Opposite of Sex with Christina Ricci in 1998 and was nominated for her performance as Billy Crystal's wife in Analyze This.

At one stage, she seemed destined for a career in medical research after achieving a degree in biology.

However, comedian Jon Lovitz, one of her brother's friends, inspired her to perform and she joined the LA impro theatre group Groundlings.

Soon after she broke into TV with a recurring role as Ursula, the ditzy waitress on Mad About You, a part that led to the starring role on Friends.

In the debut season (1994-95) of Friends, Kudrow earned an Emmy nomination as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.

In 1997 she starred opposite Oscar winner Mira Sorvino in the hit comedy Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.

Other film credits include Diane Keaton's Hanging Up, Nora Ephron's Lucky Numbers, Clockwatchers and Albert Brooks' Mother.

She was re-united with Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro in Analyze That and has filmed the Wonderland Murders alongside Val Kilmer, who plays porn star John Holmes.