Who Is Lisa Kudrow’s Husband? All About Her ‘Luckiest Thing’, Michel Stern, And Their Son, Julian

Lisa Kudrow is globally known for her iconic role as ‘Phoebe Buffay’ on the ’90s sitcom Friends, considered the greatest sitcom of all time. Her eccentric style, quirky songs, authenticity, and refusal to conform made her stand out among the six friends. However, long before her fame, the actress had already found what she calls the “luckiest thing” in her life: her husband, Michel Stern. The man who held her hand before her breakout fame remains her strongest support decades later.

Ahead of her return to television in the new season of The Comeback, Kudrow recently sat down for an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting on finding her happily-ever-after with Stern. “I feel like the luckiest thing that happened to me was that I met and fell in love with the man I was going to spend the rest of my life with before Friends, right before,” said Kudrow to the outlet.

It has been over 30 years since Lisa Kudrow said “I do!” at the altar, and their love story continues to captivate fans, especially now that their only son, Julian Murray Stern, also steps into the spotlight. Take a look at the man who made it all worth it for the actress.

Lisa Kudrow and Michel Stern’s love story started before Hollywood fame, when he was dating her roommate

Long before she got her Hollywood gig, Kudrow met Stern through her roommate. It was in the 1980s when, after graduating from Vassar College in New York, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her acting career, and she started living with a French girl, who was dating Stern at the time. The actress once told The Daily Mail how she was instantly smitten with him and thought, “Well, he’s the perfect man, and it’s all ruined because now they’re together and I can’t (make a play for him).” Little did she know that destiny had other plans.

Years later, destiny brought them back together. Kudrow’s former roommate and Stern eventually ended things, and they reconnected around the late ’80s or the early ’90s. Before beginning her career with Friends, she and Stern started dating and have been inseparable since. In 1995, just one year after the sitcom premiered, they got married. For the actress, the timing of their meeting was everything. She has credited their early bond as a stabilising force amid her whirlwind fame. 

Who is Michel Stern?

Unlike many celebrity spouses, Stern has maintained a remarkably low profile. He is a French-born advertising executive who has built his career away from the spotlight after moving to the U.S. Despite being married to one of the most recognisable faces on global television, Stern has managed to steer clear of Hollywood circles, which makes his occasional red carpet appearances alongside the actress even more attention-grabbing. Given his lack of public presence, very limited information is available about his personal or professional life. However, the Friends actress has mentioned in her previous interviews that he takes an interest in travelling, reading, cooking, and exploring diverse cuisines. 

Meet Lisa Kudrow and Michel Stern’s only child, Julian

The couple welcomed their only child, Julian Murray Stern, in 1998. Interestingly, Kudrow’s pregnancy was written into Friends when, during season 4, her character, ‘Phoebe’, became a surrogate for her half-brother and his wife, eventually giving birth to triplets in Season 5’s premiere episode, The One Hundredth. By then, Julian was born. In a 2018 interview with PEOPLE, the actress recalled her time being pregnant on the set of Friends. She shared:

“The six of us would do a huddle backstage and just say, ‘All right, have a good show, love you love you love you love you.’ And when I was pregnant, then they would say, ‘Have a great show, love you, love you — love you, little Julian!’ ‘Cause we knew it was a boy and that was his name.”

Julian was born on May 7, 1998, and he is now all grown up. Following in his mother’s footsteps in the industry, he also pursued his education in film and directing, graduating from the prestigious School of Cinematic Arts at the University of California in 2021. Kudrow celebrated her son’s achievement by sharing a photo from his graduation day on her Instagram. 

Now 27, Julian is beginning to carve his own creative path. From writing and stop-motion projects as a child to pursuing acting, his artistic instincts were evident early on. Kudrow has spoken proudly about watching him grow into his talents, recalling emotional moments seeing him perform on stage as a teenager. And now, he is all set to work with his superstar mom in the third season of The Comeback, making his acting debut as an AI tech expert.

About Lisa Kudrow’s upcoming work, The Comeback Season 3

After years of anticipation, the beloved Friends star, now 62, is officially returning to another beloved role in the third season of HBO’s cult-favourite show, The Comeback. The first season premiered in 2005 and returned for a second season in 2014, and after a long wait, it is finally returning to the television screen. Lisa Kudrow will once again be seen in her role as ‘Valerie Cherish’, the hilariously self-deluded yet oddly endearing actress navigating the entertainment industry’s ever-changing dynamic. This time, the storyline is expected to explore Valerie’s journey as she navigates the age of AI. The Comeback 3 is set to premiere on March 22, 2026.

While Lisa Kudrow’s career has spanned decades of success, her personal life has remained refreshingly grounded. In an age of fleeting romances and drama, her love story with Michel Stern stands out for its sheer simplicity.

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