You probably remember the "triplets" storyline on Friends. It was iconic. But while Phoebe Buffay was busy being a surrogate for her brother, Lisa Kudrow was actually pregnant in real life. That "little fetus" the cast used to huddle around is now a grown man named Julian Murray Stern. Honestly, it's wild how time flies.
Since he’s the only child of one of the most famous sitcom stars in history, people naturally wonder: did he go the Hollywood route? Or did he run as far away from the limelight as possible?
The answer is a bit of both. Julian isn't exactly chasing tabloid headlines, but he’s definitely making moves in the industry. He's carving out a niche that looks a lot more like a "serious filmmaker" and a lot less like a "nepo baby" coasting on a famous last name.
What Lisa Kudrow's Son Does for a Living
So, what does Lisa Kudrow's son do exactly? Basically, Julian Murray Stern is a filmmaker, editor, and actor. He graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2021 with a degree from the School of Cinematic Arts. If you know anything about film schools, you know USC is basically the Ivy League of movies. He didn't just sleep through classes either; he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts, Film, and Television Production.
Since walking across that stage, Julian has been building a resume that leans heavily into the technical side of things. While he has appeared on screen—most notably in projects like the TV movie Doomed and the sketch comedy That’s Hollywood, Baby—his real passion seems to be in the editing bay and behind the lens.
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He’s worked as an editor on several shorts and series, including:
- Presley & Brock (TV Series)
- Wish Upon a Disco Ball (Short)
- In Lieu of Longing (Short)
- The Voiceless Man (Short)
It’s actually kinda cool to see him focusing on editing. It’s one of the most difficult, "invisible" parts of filmmaking. It shows he's more interested in the craft of storytelling than just getting his face on a billboard.
The Big Break: Joining "The Comeback"
If you’re a die-hard Lisa Kudrow fan, you know The Comeback. It’s her cult-classic HBO show where she plays the cringe-inducing but lovable Valerie Cherish. Well, the latest buzz for 2026 is that the show is returning for its third and final season, and it's becoming a family affair.
Julian Stern has officially been cast in Season 3 of The Comeback. This is huge because it marks a shift toward more high-profile acting. Working alongside his mother on a project she co-created is a pretty poetic full-circle moment, considering he was practically a toddler on the Friends set when she was first becoming a superstar.
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Growing Up in the Shadow of Central Perk
Growing up with Phoebe Buffay as your mom sounds like a dream, but for Julian, it was just... life. Lisa has been pretty open about the fact that she tried to keep him away from the "crazy" parts of fame. She once joked with Jimmy Kimmel that she "injected him with the right amount of fear" before he left for college.
There's this hilarious story that went viral a while back about how Julian, as a toddler, would see Jennifer Aniston on TV and yell "Mommy!" because he spent so much time on set and Jen was such a "lovebug" to him. He eventually figured out who his real mom was, but he wasn’t exactly a Friends superfan growing up.
When he finally did watch the show as an adult, his reaction was... well, very Julian. Lisa told Seth Meyers that her son actually liked the show, but he thought the guys (Joey, Chandler, and Ross) were funnier than the girls. Lisa's response? She wanted to tell him "f*** you" in the funniest way possible. It’s that kind of grounded, sarcastic relationship that seems to have kept him from turning into a typical Hollywood brat.
The Directing and Cinematography Passion
While he's getting more acting gigs now, his Instagram and Vimeo profiles show a guy who is obsessed with the look of a film. Back in his college days, his junior thesis film Mind Made Up actually got selected for the Portland Comedy Festival.
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He’s the type of guy who posts about cameras and "dolly shots." There’s a funny story he shared about walking onto a random film set and asking if they were using the same camera Quentin Tarantino used. They said no, but he stayed anyway and just started filming stuff. That kind of "film geek" energy is exactly what you want from someone coming out of USC.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
People assume that because he’s Lisa Kudrow’s son, he’s just waiting for a lead role in a Marvel movie. But if you look at his credits, he’s doing the grunt work. He’s editing short films. He’s acting in indie projects. He’s taking on "Editor" credits more often than "Star" credits.
He also stays remarkably low-key. You won't find him falling out of nightclubs or trying to be an influencer. He seems to genuinely value his privacy, which is something he definitely inherited from his parents (his dad, Michel Stern, is a French advertising executive who has stayed out of the spotlight for decades).
Why It Matters Now
In 2026, the conversation around "nepo babies" is everywhere. But Julian seems to be navigating it by actually having the skills to back it up. If he shows up in The Comeback and knocks it out of the park, it won't just be because of his last name—it’ll be because he spent four years at one of the best film schools in the world and years in editing bays learning how scenes actually fit together.
Practical Ways to Follow His Work
- Check out IMDb: Look for his credits as both an actor and an editor to see the range of projects he's picking.
- Keep an eye on HBO: Watch for the third season of The Comeback to see his first major scripted TV role.
- Support Indie Film: Many of the shorts he has edited, like Wish Upon a Disco Ball, hit the festival circuit.
If you’re interested in the next generation of Hollywood creators who actually care about the "how" and not just the "fame," Julian Murray Stern is definitely someone to keep on your radar. He’s transitioning from the kid who mistook Jennifer Aniston for his mom to a legitimate filmmaker in his own right.
To keep tabs on his upcoming projects, you can follow industry trade publications like TVLine or check his verified credits on IMDbPro, where he often lists his latest work in production. Supporting his independent short films is the best way to see his personal creative style before he fully dives into mainstream television.