Lisa Kudrow recently opened up about her admiration for one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses, revealing exactly why Bette Davis continues to stand out decades after her death.
While discussing some of her favorite films, the ‘Friends‘ star praised Davis’ strength, intelligence, and unforgettable screen presence, and called her “one of the most interesting women” she has ever watched on screen.
Lisa Kudrow Was Drawn To Bette Davis’ Strength
During her ‘Closet Picks‘ segment with Criterion, Kudrow spoke passionately about Davis while discussing the 1942 classic ‘Now, Voyager‘. The film held special significance for Kudrow because it was her mother’s favorite movie, but it was Davis left a huge impression on the actress.
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Kudrow explained why Davis fascinated her so much. “Really strong, you know? And just sort of knew who she was and put that in all of her characters,” Kudrow said. Those qualities, she suggested, made Davis far more compelling than many other stars of her era.
The movie is about a neurotic heiress played by Davis, who seeks psychiatric treatment to break free from the control of her domineering mother. As the story progresses, the character transforms into a confident woman who discovers love and a new purpose in life during a cruise.
And that journey made the film especially meaningful. “It was really important to see, I thought,” the actress said. The character’s growth, confidence, and resilience reflected many of the qualities she admired in Davis herself.
Davis’ Talent And Legacy Continue to Impress Kudrow
Kudrow’s connection to ‘Now, Voyager‘ grew even deeper years later while she was filming ‘Friends‘. Kudrow revealed that she visited the Warner Bros. soundstage where the movie had been filmed. “I was so excited to tell my mom,” she said. “Yeah, that was thrilling.” That same soundstage later appeared in season 3 of ‘The Comeback‘.
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In the series, Kudrow’s character, Valerie Cherish, honors her late best friend, Mickey Deane, played by Robert Michael Morris. Since ‘Now, Voyager‘ was Mickey’s favorite movie, Valerie quotes the film throughout Episode 3, “Valerie Faces Reality.”
According to Kudrow, Davis’ enduring appeal comes down to something much simpler: her strength, self-awareness, and ability to bring those qualities into every character she played. That made Davis “one of the most interesting women” in Hollywood history.
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