Lisa Kudrow was born on July 30, 1963 in Encino, California and raised in Tarzana. She is the daughter of headache specialist. Kudrow expected to follow in her father's footsteps when she graduated from Vassar College in New York State with a B.S. in biology and returned to California to work with him. However, Kudrow's career in research was cut short when a friend of her brother, Jon Lovitz ( Saturday Night Live alum), suggested that she audition for the comedy troupe, The Groundlings. Kudrow was not accepted the first time because of her lack of experience but after working with Cynthia Szigeti, a well-known comedy teacher, she got in in 1989. During that time, Kudrow entered a romance which evolved into an enduring friendship with then-unknown late night host, Conan O'Brien.