What Happened Between Debra Jo Rupp And Lisa Kudrow?
When Debra Jo Rupp was dealing with a serious personal issue in her life, her 'Friends' star, Lisa Kudrow, wanted to help her on-screen sister-in-law.
- Lisa Kudrow stepped in to help Debra Jo Rupp when she learned about Rupp’s mother’s serious illness during their time working together on Friends.
- Rupp’s parents initially disapproved of her acting career, but she followed her passion anyway. She credits her mother for inspiring her famous laugh as Kitty Forman on That ’70s Show.
- The friendship between Rupp and Kudrow extended beyond their on-screen roles, with Kudrow showing kindness and compassion by helping Rupp’s mother receive the care she needed.
When Lisa Kudrow found out about Debra Jo Rupp’s personal troubles, the Friends star stepped in to help. While working together on Kudrow’s hit sitcom, Friends, Rupp and Kudrow got to know each other. Rupp guest-starred as Phoebe’s (Kudrow’s) half-brother Frank’s wife, Alice. Rupp wasn’t close with everyone on the main cast, but by working more closely with Kudrow, the two got to know each other.
Numerous celebrities appeared as guest-stars of Friends, and although not all of them enjoyed working on the show or with the cast, working with one member of the Friends cast helped Debra Jo Rupp during a troubling time in her life. Around the time she appeared on Friends, Rupp’s mother had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and when Lisa Kudrow learned about this, she wanted to help.
Debra Jo Rupp And Lisa Kudrow Worked Together On ‘Friends’
Debra Jo Rupp, known mostly for her role as Kitty Forman on That ’70s Show, is no stranger to appearing on other television shows. She’s currently appearing on the spin-off show, That ’90s Show, and has also made appearances in WandaVision and Friends.
While playing Phoebe Buffay’s (Lisa Kudrow’s) sister-in-law, Alice, on Friends, she was initially supposed to appear in one episode. Luckily for Rupp, things worked out for her to appear in six episodes on a show she loved.
Rupp was cast as Alice the older wife of Frank (Giovanni Ribisi), Phoebe’s half-brother on the show. And although appearing on Friends turned into a nightmare, Rupp ended up loving that she worked on the show.
Several celebrities have dealt with tough issues throughout their careers. And while working with Lisa Kudrow, the Hanging Up star was able to help Rupp during a tough moment in her life.
Although Rupp wasn’t close to the other main cast members on Friends, she had opened up to her on-screen sister-in-law about her mother’s illness. Kudrow was able to help, and she did.
Before she got bit by the acting bug, Lisa Kudrow initially wanted to become a neurologist, like her brother and father. The actor majored in biology at Vassar, but was also thinking about another career.
During an interview with NBC News, she discussed shifting her focus more to family, and also talked about her initial aspirations to be a doctor.
“I would get these feelings of yeah, I could do that acting. I could do comedic acting. You’d be good – alright stop! Just like this little argument in my head. Alright, stop. Go back to school and be a person you could have some respect for.”
But Kudrow couldn’t help herself, and eventually landed her starring role as Phoebe Buffay on the popular show Friends.
Lisa Kudrow Was There For Debra Jo Rupp When She Learned Of Rupp’s Personal Troubles
While working together on the popular sitcom Friends, Lisa Kudrow learned that Debra Jo Rupp was dealing with some tough issues in her personal life. Rupp’s mother had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and Kudrow had a chance to help.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Rupp discussed how the show changed her life. “Around this time, my mother was diagnosed with a very fast-moving Parkinson’s. She was living in Florida and it got to the point where I had [to] move her in to stay with me.”
She revealed how Lisa Kudrow had gotten her brother to help. Kudrow had planned to become a doctor herself before she changed her mind and went for a career in acting. “Lisa Kudrow’s brother is a neurologist in Santa Monica and she facilitated getting me into his office with my mom.”
Thanks to Kudrow and her efforts, Rupp’s mother was provided help she might not have gotten otherwise. “Basically, they kept my mom alive.” Rupp said, “It was just pretty amazing.”
About her Friends co-star, Rupp commented, “Lisa (Kudrow) did it because Lisa is just who Lisa is – just a kind person.”
Rupp’s Parents Didn’t Approve Of Her Acting
It’s hard to imagine That ’70s Show, or any show that features the hilarious Debra Jo Rupp, without her. When she first started out, her parents weren’t thrilled with what she chose for a career. However, Rupp was stubborn, and followed her passion anyway.
During an interview with Theater Mania about her TV encounters with Wanda Maximoff and Agatha Harkness, Rupp discussed her parents’ disapproval of her acting. “I think they just tried to protect me, especially because I had a so-called weird look for an actress. I was like a little dumpling.”
She added, “In fact, they wanted me to become a CPA. But I knew I was good at acting and I loved it. So, if anyone today is like I was then, then I say go for it.”
Rupp also revealed that her mother inspired her now-famous laugh as Kitty Forman. “Kitty became my mother on a good day. A really good day. She’s very cheerful. And she has a very obnoxious laugh, and I got stuck with it! I did it once in the pilot and I got stuck with it.”
Through her acting career, Rupp made a friend who was able to help her mother. When Rupp appeared on Friends, Lisa Kudrow became aware of her mother’s Parkinsons diagnosis, and arranged for her brother to treat Rupp’s mother.
During an interview with the L.A. Times, the That ’90s Show actor revealed a special moment she and her mother shared. The two went to a live show together, and her mother told Rupp she understood her career choice.
“I do remember taking my mother to see Sweeny Todd with Angela Lansbury on Broadway and that was when my mother said to me, ‘I get it, I get why you want to do this now.'”
Rupp revealed, “That was always a big marker for me, it was a big deal.”
