Friends Star Lisa Kudrow's Natural Hair Color Isn't The Blonde She's Known For

There are many celebrities who have changed their names and looks to make it in Hollywood, and Lisa Kudrow is no exception. As it turns out, the "Friends" actor's natural hair color isn't the one fans have come to know and love. While she may have stuck with her birth name, Kudrow ditched her natural dark brunette tresses during the early years of her acting career and has maintained the more recognizable blond mane ever since.

In 2019, Kudrow revealed that she had voluminous chestnut-colored hair when she was younger after she shared a throwback photo on Instagram, posing with her parents — both of whom also had dark hair (see below). In the post, the actor simply wished her dad a happy Father's Day, but fans were rather surprised to learn that she's a natural brunette. "You're NOT a real blonde!?" one shocked fan commented, while another followed up to say, "I can't believe you weren't actually blonde," before adding, "You are beautiful." The following year, Kudrow shared another throwback photo taken with her mother to commemorate Mother's Day, once again showing off her brunette tresses and sparking disbelief among fans. Many couldn't deny how flattering the darker shade made her look, with one fan writing, "Really beautiful dark hair Lis."

lisakudrow / Instagram

According to the "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion" star, her transition to blond was a gradual one, as noted in 2019 when she unveiled another snap from her younger days, sporting chestnut-brown hair with gold-toned highlights. "When I was slowly becoming a blonde ... I looked like this," she stated on Instagram.

A trip down memory lane reveals a young Lisa Kudrow sporting her naturally brunette hair during her early years on screen. Before making the transition to blond, the actor mentioned in Interview magazine that when she embarked on an acting career straight out of high school, she still had her natural dark hair.

Kudrow flaunted her long brunette locks during some of her earliest appearances in the late 1980s and 1990s, including roles in "Just Temporary," "L.A. on $5 a Day," and "Life Goes On." One of her most memorable early performances, however, came in a 1989 episode of the comedy series "Cheers." The then-26 year old played a character called Emily, who helped bartender Woody Boyd (Woody Harrelson) rehearse for a play that he wasn't particularly good at. Like many celebs who are nearly unrecognizable with their natural hair color, Kudrow's very black-toned mane in the scenes — though it highlighted her youthful appearance — is such a striking contrast to the honey-blond hair color fans recognize her for today.

Though we're yet to see the 60-something join the ranks of celebs who have embraced their graying natural hair color, Kudrow is confronting aging with confidence in her own way. She is often praised for how authentic she looks as she ages, particularly after leaving Botox behind and allowing her mature features to shine.