You probably remember the triplets. In the late '90s, the entire world watched Phoebe Buffay carry three babies for her brother in one of the most bizarre yet heartwarming sitcom arcs ever. But while the triplets were fictional, the bump was very real. That pregnancy brought us Julian Murray Stern, the only child of Lisa Kudrow and her husband, Michel Stern.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think about. Most celebrity kids are basically Instagram-famous before they can walk. But Lisa Kudrow’s son? He’s been a bit of a ghost in the Hollywood machine. You don’t see him chasing paparazzi or trying to launch a reality show. Instead, Julian has carved out this oddly normal, low-profile life that actually makes him more interesting than the typical "nepo baby" narrative.
Growing Up as "Little Julian" on the Friends Set
If you were a fly on the wall at Warner Bros. Stage 24 back in 1997, you’d have seen something pretty sweet. Before every taping, the six main cast members had a huddle. They’d hug and wish each other a good show. But once Lisa started showing, the ritual changed. The cast would include her belly in the huddle, whispering, "Have a great show, love you, love you, love you, little Julian!"
He was basically the seventh Friend before he even took his first breath.
But growing up with Phoebe Buffay as your mom isn't exactly what you’d expect. Julian was born on May 7, 1998. By the time he was a toddler, the show was at its absolute peak. You'd think he'd be obsessed, right? Nope. He actually spent his early years being remarkably confused about who his mother was.
Lisa has told this hilarious story on Conan about how Julian would see Jennifer Aniston on set and just fly into her lap. He was obsessed with her. At home, he’d see Jen on the TV and point, shouting "Mommy!" Lisa’s reaction was classic: "I’m analytical, so I’m like, is this wishful thinking? Does he have a soul connection with her that I don't?" She was joking, obviously, but it highlights how much of a "work family" that group really was.
The Only Child by Choice
One thing people always ask is why Lisa and Michel didn’t have more kids. You’d think a massive star with all those resources would want a big family. Well, turns out Julian was the one calling the shots.
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Basically, as soon as he could talk, he made it very clear: he did not want a brother or sister. He liked being the center of the universe. Most parents might ignore a toddler’s demands, but Lisa actually listened. She’s mentioned in interviews that she felt it was a gift to him to keep the family small since he felt so strongly about it. It’s a pretty refreshing take on parenting—treating your kid like a human with valid preferences rather than just a "child" who doesn't know what they want.
Why Julian Murray Stern Stayed Out of the Spotlight
You won’t find Julian in the "Young Hollywood" party scene. That’s intentional. Lisa and Michel (a French advertising executive) were pretty strict about keeping him away from the "fame monster."
His education was the priority. He ended up at the University of Southern California (USC), graduating in 2021 from the School of Cinematic Arts. That’s a big deal. USC’s film school is notoriously hard to get into, even if your mom is an Emmy winner. He earned a BFA in Film and Television Production, which tells you exactly where his head is at: he wants to be the one making the stuff, not just standing in front of the lens.
His Career: Acting or Directing?
He’s dabbled in both, but he seems to have a real eye for the technical side. According to his IMDB and various industry whispers, he’s worked as an editor on short films like Wish Upon A Disco Ball (which actually won him a faculty award at USC) and The Voiceless Man.
He’s also popped up in:
- Doomed (a TV movie)
- That’s Hollywood, Baby (a 2024 sketch comedy series)
- Various student and indie projects where he’s often credited as an editor or cinematographer.
It’s clear he’s trying to build a resume from the ground up. He’s not just walking onto a Marvel set because of his last name. He’s doing the "grind" of short films and indie shorts, which, honestly, earns him a lot of respect in an industry that’s currently obsessed with calling out nepo babies.
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That Awkward "Friends" Re-watch
Here’s the part that kills me: Julian didn’t even like Friends for a long time.
Imagine your mom is a global icon and you just... don't care. Lisa admitted that for years, he just wasn't interested. It wasn't until he caught COVID a few years back and was stuck in bed that he finally binged some of the show.
He called her up and was like, "So, I just watched the first two episodes. It’s actually really good, Mom."
Lisa’s response on Seth Meyers was gold. She was thrilled but also kinda offended. "He’s like, 'No, I mean you’re funny too.' Never in my life have I wanted to tell my own kid, 'F--- you!'"
He apparently thought the "guys" (Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, and David Schwimmer) were the funniest part. Classic son move—refusing to give your mom too much credit so her head doesn't get too big. But behind the teasing, there's a deep bond. During the Friends: The Reunion taping, Julian was there. He pulled his mom aside and said, "I don’t know if this is awkward, but I’m really proud of you."
That’s the stuff that matters. Not the red carpets, but the kid actually seeing the work you did and respecting it.
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The Kudrow-Stern Parenting Philosophy
Lisa has been pretty open about her "weird" parenting style. She doesn't do the "because I said so" thing. She’s a monologuer. If Julian asks a question about why he can't do something, she’ll give him a 20-minute history lesson or a logical breakdown of the risks involved.
She once joked that she "injected him with the right amount of fear." It sounds harsh, but it’s actually about teaching caution and independence. By the time he went to college, he was self-sufficient. He wasn’t calling her to ask how to do laundry; he was ready to handle the world.
Today, Julian is 27. He’s a filmmaker, an occasional actor, and a guy who seems remarkably grounded for someone who grew up on the set of the biggest show in history. He lives a relatively private life in Los Angeles, occasionally appearing on his mom’s Instagram but mostly focusing on his craft.
Insights for Success
If there is anything to learn from the way Julian Murray Stern was raised, it’s about the value of privacy in a digital age. Even if you aren't a celebrity, his path offers some pretty solid takeaways:
- Define your own lane: Just because your parents do one thing doesn't mean you have to. Julian used his access to learn the technical side of film, giving him a career that isn't dependent on his face being famous.
- Privacy is a choice: In 2026, everyone feels the need to share everything. Julian proves you can be part of the industry without giving up your personal life to the algorithm.
- Logic over authority: Explaining the "why" to people (whether they are your kids or your employees) builds way more respect than just "laying down the law."
The "little Julian" from the huddle turned out just fine. He’s not a tabloid headline; he’s a working professional. And in Hollywood, that’s probably the biggest success story of all.