You ever notice how Phoebe Buffay just sort of... loomed? Not in a creepy way, obviously. But in those iconic scenes at Central Perk, Lisa Kudrow always seemed to possess this distinct, statuesque presence that the other "Friends" girls didn't quite have. If you’ve ever found yourself googling lisa kudrow height while rewatching "The One with the Prom Video," you aren't alone.
It’s one of those things that fans debate endlessly. Is she actually a giant, or are Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox just really tiny?
✨ Don't miss: Eddie Cibrian Wife: What Most People Get Wrong About LeAnn Rimes
The Long and Short of It: Lisa Kudrow's Real Height
Let’s get the hard numbers out of the way first. Lisa Kudrow stands at 5 feet 8 inches tall. In metric terms, that is about 173 cm.
Honestly, in the real world, 5'8" is tall but not necessarily "basketball player" tall. However, in the vacuum of Hollywood—and specifically on the set of a 90s sitcom—it made her a bit of an outlier. When you put her next to Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox, both of whom are roughly 5'5", that three-inch gap becomes a canyon.
It’s even more noticeable when you look at the shoes. Since Phoebe was the "boho-chic" character, she was often in flat boots or sneakers, while the others were frequently in heels. Despite the lack of lifts, Lisa still held the high ground.
How She Compares to the Rest of the Friends Cast
If you look at the group shots, the height dynamics are actually pretty funny. Here is how the main six stack up:
- David Schwimmer: 6'1"
- Matthew Perry: 6'0"
- Matt LeBlanc: 5'10"
- Lisa Kudrow: 5'8"
- Courteney Cox: 5'5"
- Jennifer Aniston: 5'5"
Kudrow was basically the bridge between the "short" girls and the "tall" guys. She was only two inches shorter than Matt LeBlanc, which is why they often looked so physically compatible during those Joey-Phoebe "almost" romantic moments.
Why Her Height Actually Mattered for the Character
There is a certain psychology to being the tallest woman in a room. For Phoebe Buffay, Lisa’s height added to that "force of nature" energy. Phoebe wasn't just quirky; she was physically imposing in a way that made her street-smart backstory believable. You could totally buy that she lived on the streets and "stabbed a cop," partly because she looked like she could hold her own.
Interestingly, Lisa has spoken about her own body image during the show's run. Seeing herself on screen next to her costars wasn't always easy. She famously admitted to feeling like a "mountain" of a woman compared to Courteney and Jennifer.
She once told Marc Maron on his WTF podcast that she felt "huge" next to them. It’s a classic example of how Hollywood's distorted lens can make a perfectly normal, healthy height feel like an anomaly. She even mentioned that she’d lose weight on purpose to try and "fit" the frame better, which is a bit heartbreaking when you realize she was already thin.
✨ Don't miss: Bo Brinkman Net Worth: What Most People Get Wrong
The Science Nerd and the Statue
Before she was a sitcom legend, Lisa was a serious academic. She has a degree in Biology from Vassar. She worked with her father, Dr. Lee Kudrow, who was a world-renowned headache specialist.
When you see her in old photos from her research days, her 5'8" frame gives her a very commanding, professional look. It’s a far cry from the ditzy (but secretly genius) Phoebe.
Myths and Misconceptions About Lisa’s Stature
Some people swear she’s 5'9" or even 5'10". This usually comes from the fact that camera angles in the later seasons of "Friends" sometimes made her look nearly as tall as Ross.
- The Hair Factor: Phoebe’s hair was often voluminous. Those up-dos and clips easily added an inch of perceived height.
- The Posture: Unlike some tall actors who slouch to fit into frame, Lisa usually carried herself with a very straight back.
- The "Ursula" Effect: When she played her twin sister Ursula on Mad About You, she often wore darker, more form-fitting clothes that elongated her silhouette even further.
What’s wild is that she almost didn’t get the role of Roz on Frasier because of a lack of chemistry, but some casting rumors at the time suggested she just didn't "fit" the visual mold they wanted. Their loss was our gain, as it cleared the path for her to become the most eccentric member of the Central Perk crew.
What This Means for You
If you're a tall woman looking for style inspiration, Lisa Kudrow is a masterclass in 90s and early 2000s proportions. She leaned into the "long" look. Long skirts, duster coats, and layered necklaces.
She proved that you don't have to be "petite" to be the sweetheart of a major television show. If anything, her height gave her a unique physical comedy toolkit. She used her long limbs for those hilarious, frantic runs (remember the "running like a kid" episode?) and her expressive hand gestures.
Next time you’re watching a rerun:
Pay attention to the eye levels. You'll notice the directors often had her sit down first in group scenes or lean against the counter to keep the "three girls" in a more symmetrical line. It’s a tiny bit of TV magic used to hide the fact that Phoebe could probably out-reach the rest of the gang for a cookie jar on the top shelf.
The Actionable Takeaway: If you’re self-conscious about being the "tall friend," take a page out of the Kudrow book. Own the space. The things that make you feel "huge" in a group photo are often the same things that give you a "commanding presence" to everyone else.