Michel Stern is a French-born advertising executive best known publicly as the husband of actress Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay on the hit sitcom Friends. Stern has maintained a low profile throughout their marriage and has largely stayed outside the entertainment industry.
Kudrow and Stern married on May 27, 1995, and have one child, their son Julian Murray Stern, born in 1998. In 2025, Kudrow spoke publicly about their three decades together and described their relationship as one built around mutual respect and a shared commitment to remaining together.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Michel Stern |
| Date of Birth | July 27, 1958 |
| Age | 68 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Paris, France |
| Nationality | French |
| Profession | Advertising executive |
| Known For | Husband of actress Lisa Kudrow |
| Spouse | Lisa Kudrow |
| Marriage Date | May 27, 1995 |
| Children | One son, Julian Murray Stern |
| Son’s Birth Date | May 7, 1998 |
| Public Profile | Maintains a relatively private life away from the entertainment industry |
| Career Background | French-born advertising executive who established his career in the United States |
| Net Worth | Not reliably verified |
Early Life and Background
Michel Stern was born in Paris, France, on July 27, 1958, according to biographical records. He was raised in France before moving to the United States.
Details about his parents, childhood and formal education have not been widely documented by authoritative sources. Stern has generally avoided discussing his private background in the media, so unsupported claims about his upbringing or education are best left out.
Career
Advertising Executive
Stern’s professional career has been in advertising rather than acting or filmmaking. Reputable biographical sources describe him as a French advertising executive who established his career in the United States.
Unlike his wife, Stern has not built a public career in entertainment. There is also no reliable evidence that he worked as an actor or filmmaker. His occasional appearances at Hollywood events have primarily been connected to his relationship with Kudrow.
Because Stern has kept his professional life private, detailed information about his employers, advertising campaigns and business activities is not publicly established.
How Michel Stern Met Lisa Kudrow
Stern and Lisa Kudrow first met in the late 1980s. At the time, Stern was dating Kudrow’s roommate, who was also French. Kudrow later recalled that she was attracted to Stern but deliberately did not pursue him because he was in a relationship with her friend.
Stern and the roommate eventually ended their relationship. About six years later, Stern and Kudrow met again at the roommate’s birthday party. That reunion led to their relationship.
The story is notable because Stern knew Kudrow before Friends premiered in 1994 and before the actress became an international television star.
Marriage to Lisa Kudrow
Michel Stern and Lisa Kudrow married on May 27, 1995. Their wedding came shortly after the first season of Friends, which had premiered in September 1994.
The couple has remained married for more than three decades. In a 2025 interview with People, Kudrow discussed their long marriage and emphasized that both partners have continued to choose the relationship while maintaining their individual identities.
Kudrow has also previously spoken about the practical side of their marriage, including spending their 25th wedding anniversary apart during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020.
Michel Stern and Friends
Although Stern was not part of the regular Friends cast, his family life became indirectly connected to the series.
Kudrow became pregnant with their son during the show’s run, and the pregnancy was incorporated into the storyline. Her character, Phoebe Buffay, was written as a surrogate for her half-brother Frank and his wife, ultimately giving birth to triplets.
Their son Julian was born on May 7, 1998.
Family and Son Julian Murray Stern
Michel Stern and Lisa Kudrow have one child, Julian Murray Stern.
Julian has remained relatively private for much of his life, although he has recently become more visible through his involvement in entertainment. In 2026, he made his acting debut alongside his mother in the third season of The Comeback. The series was filmed on the same Warner Bros. lot associated with Friends.
Kudrow has previously discussed Julian’s familiarity with Friends, noting that he watched the sitcom as a young person and eventually developed an appreciation for his mother’s work.
Personal Life
Stern has generally maintained a private life despite being married to one of television’s best-known actresses. He rarely gives interviews, and most publicly available information about him concerns his marriage and family rather than his own professional activities.
His public appearances have included events with Kudrow, including entertainment-industry functions. IMDb records one such appearance at the 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Michel Stern’s Age
Michel Stern was born on July 27, 1958, in Paris, France, according to IMDb’s biographical record. That makes him 68 years old in 2026.
Net Worth
A reliable, independently verified estimate of Michel Stern’s net worth is not publicly available. Online figures vary and generally lack sufficient financial documentation, so no specific net-worth amount is presented.
Interesting Facts About Michel Stern
- Michel Stern was born in Paris, France, in 1958.
- He works in advertising, rather than acting or television production.
- Stern first met Lisa Kudrow when he was dating her roommate.
- He and Kudrow reconnected about six years after their first meeting.
- Stern and Kudrow married on May 27, 1995.
- Their only child, Julian Murray Stern, was born in 1998.
- Kudrow’s pregnancy was incorporated into the fourth season of Friends.
- Stern and Kudrow celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in 2025.
- Their son Julian made his acting debut alongside Kudrow in the third season of The Comeback in 2026.
FAQs
Who is Michel Stern?
Michel Stern is a French-born advertising executive who is best known publicly as Lisa Kudrow’s husband.
Is Michel Stern married to Lisa Kudrow?
Yes. Michel Stern and Lisa Kudrow married on May 27, 1995, and remain married.
What does Michel Stern do for a living?
Stern is an advertising executive. Unlike his wife, his professional career has largely remained outside the entertainment industry.
How did Michel Stern and Lisa Kudrow meet?
They first met when Stern was dating Kudrow’s roommate. They later reconnected at the roommate’s birthday party several years after Stern’s relationship with her had ended.
Does Michel Stern have children?
Yes. He and Lisa Kudrow have one son, Julian Murray Stern, who was born on May 7, 1998.
Is Michel Stern French?
Yes. Stern was born in Paris, France, and is described by reputable biographical sources as a French advertising executive.
How long have Michel Stern and Lisa Kudrow been married?
They married in May 1995 and reached their 30th wedding anniversary in 2025.
Conclusion
Michel Stern has spent much of his life away from the spotlight despite being married to Lisa Kudrow. His documented career is in advertising, while his public profile is largely connected to his long marriage to the Friends actress and their son, Julian.
After more than three decades together, Stern and Kudrow remain one of Hollywood’s longer-lasting marriages, while Stern himself continues to maintain a comparatively private public presence.
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