Lisa Kudrow's Son Julian Stern Makes Acting Debut on 'The Comeback'

Stern recalls visiting the 'Friends' set as a toddler and how it sparked his interest in acting.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Julian Stern, the son of actress Lisa Kudrow, made his acting debut in the third season of The Comeback, playing a tech expert for an AI-written sitcom. Stern shared memories of visiting the Friends set as a child, including once disrupting a take by laughing too loudly. He said the experience of being on the lively set sparked his interest in acting. Kudrow and The Comeback co-creator Michael Patrick King offered Stern the role, and he was nervous about sharing his first on-screen scene with his mother but ultimately found it easy to separate her from her character.

Why it matters

This story provides a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Kudrow family's connection to the iconic sitcom Friends, as well as insights into how Julian Stern's early experiences on set may have influenced his path to becoming an actor himself. It also highlights the special dynamic of a mother-son acting duo working together professionally for the first time.

The details

Julian Stern, 27, made his acting debut in The Comeback Season 3, playing a tech expert named Evan who works on the AI-written sitcom featured in the show. Stern recalled visiting the Friends set as a toddler when his mother, Lisa Kudrow, would bring him to work. He remembered one instance where he disrupted a take by laughing too loudly at the scene being filmed. Stern said the experience of being on the lively Friends set and receiving applause from the live audience as a child sparked his interest in acting. When it came time to film his Comeback scene with Kudrow, Stern was nervous about differentiating between his mom and her character, Valerie Cherish, but found it easy because of Kudrow's strong performance.

  • When Julian Stern was around 3 years old, he was brought to the Friends set.
  • Julian Stern made his acting debut in The Comeback Season 3, which premiered on April 12, 2026.

The players

Julian Stern

The 27-year-old son of actress Lisa Kudrow, who made his acting debut in The Comeback Season 3, playing a tech expert named Evan.

Lisa Kudrow

The actress best known for her role as Phoebe on the sitcom Friends, who is also the co-creator of The Comeback and offered her son Julian the role in the show's third season.

Michael Patrick King

The co-creator of The Comeback, who worked with Lisa Kudrow to offer Julian Stern the role in the show's third season.

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What they’re saying

“I was brought on a set when I was 3, I believe. Mostly, I just remember it was very dark. It was very comforting because you always hear laughter and people having a good time. But I think for the most part, I stayed in my mom's dressing room, and I was watching Dumbo or something.”

— Julian Stern

“I was brought down a set once, and I actually ruined a take because something happened, and I thought it was so funny. The audience stopped laughing, but you just hear this 3-year-old cackling, and they're like, 'OK, cut, get the f***ing kid out of here. He ruined the take.'”

— Julian Stern

“I remember it was a very interesting environment because as a kid, all these people are watching my mom, and they're also watching me, and they're clapping and laughing and applauding. And it's like, 'Ooh, this is kind of fun. I kind of like this attention.' Maybe that's how it all began, and my journey as an actor. It was just because, 'Hey, people are applauding and I've done nothing. This is awesome!'”

— Julian Stern

“Basically, my mom said, 'Hey, we're writing Comeback Season 3, and we have a character that we think is going to really fit well for you. He's an introverted, nerdy, really awkward, geeky guy. And we really think, Julian, you can play this guy.' And I'm like, OK, thank you. Thanks, Mom.”

— Julian Stern

“Julian, on The Comeback, when Michael calls action, and the cameras start rolling, you don't stop acting. You don't get to stop acting until you either have to walk off the location of where we're filming or someone says cut.”

— Lisa Kudrow

What’s next

Fans of The Comeback and Friends will likely be eager to see Julian Stern's performance in the show's third season, which premiered on April 12, 2026. The story of how his early experiences on the Friends set influenced his path to acting will also likely generate additional interest and coverage.

The takeaway

This story provides a unique glimpse into the Kudrow family's connection to the iconic sitcom Friends, and how those early experiences sparked Julian Stern's interest in acting. It also highlights the special dynamic of a mother-son acting duo working together professionally for the first time, and the advice and support Kudrow provided to help ease Stern's nerves about the role.