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Ruby Wax

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Ruby Wax

Ruby Wax (née Wachs; born 19 April 1953) is an American-British actress, comedian, writer, television presenter, and mental health campaigner. A classically trained actress, Wax began her career performing with the Royal Shakespeare Company, before co-starring on the ITV sitcom Girls on Top (1985–1986). She came to prominence as a comic interviewer, playing up to British perceptions of the strident American style on television shows including The Full Wax (1991–1994), Ruby Wax Meets... (1994–1998), Ruby (1997–2000), and The Ruby Wax Show (2002). Wax holds both American and British citizenship and has resided in the United Kingdom since the 1970s. In 2013, Wax gained a master's degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Kellogg College, Oxford. In 2015, she was appointed a visiting professor in mental health nursing at the University of Surrey. Wax was appointed an Honorary Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 Special Honours for services to mental health. Her memoirs How Do You Want Me? (2002) and Sane New World (2013) both reached number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list. Wax was a script editor for the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2012), also appearing in two episodes. In 2025, she was a contestant on the twenty-fifth series of the ITV reality show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! finishing in eighth place.

Infobox

Born
Ruby Wachs (1953-04-19) 19 April 1953 (age 72)Evanston, Illinois, U.S.
Citizenship
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Education
University of California, BerkeleyRoyal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (BA)Regent's College (PgDip)Kellogg College, Oxford (MSt)
Occupations
Actresscomedianwritertelevision presentermental health campaigner
Years active
1970–present
Spouses
mw- Andrew Porter (m. 1976; div. 1980) Trevor Walton (m. 1981, divorced) Ed Bye (m. 1988)
Children
3
Website
rubywax.net

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1981
Role(s)
Bunty
Role(s)
Betty Hapschatt
Role(s)
U.S. Ambassador's Secretary
Notes
Uncredited
1982
Role(s)
Restaurant Patron
1985
Role(s)
Susan Lawson
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Spenco Executive
1986
Come Dancing
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary film
1991
Ruby Takes a Trip...
1992
Wax Acts
1997
Role(s)
Town Hall Clerk
1998
Ruby Wax's Miami Memoirs
2000
Ruby Wax Gets Streetwise
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary film
2005
Role(s)
Carlotta
2008
Agent Crush
Role(s)
Charleen Chinstubble (voice)
2011
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Documentary film
2012
Role(s)
Patty Turner (voice)
2021
Role(s)
Ms. Hartley (voice)
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1981
Chariots of Fire
Bunty
Shock Treatment
Betty Hapschatt
Omen III: The Final Conflict
Ambassador's Secretary
Uncredited
1982
Things Are Tough All Over
Restaurant Patron
1985
Romance on the Orient Express
Susan Lawson
Television film
Water
Spenco Executive
1986
Come Dancing
Herself
Documentary film
1998
Ruby Wax's Miami Memoirs
1991
Ruby Takes a Trip...
1992
Wax Acts
1997
The Borrowers
Town Hall Clerk
2000
Ruby Wax Gets Streetwise
Herself
Documentary film
2005
Tara Road
Carlotta
2008
Agent Crush
Charleen Chinstubble (voice)
2011
The British Guide to Showing Off
Herself
Documentary film
2012
Sir Billi
Patty Turner (voice)
2021
Ron's Gone Wrong
Ms. Hartley (voice)
· Filmography › Television
1979
Notes
1 episode
1980
Role(s)
Lonnie
Notes
Episode: "Blood Sports"
1985
Role(s)
Waitress
Notes
Episode: "Cassie"
1985–1986
Role(s)
Girls on Top
Notes
Shelley
1986–1992
Role(s)
Wogan
Notes
Herself
1987–1988
Role(s)
Don't Miss Wax
Notes
Herself - Host
1988–1989
Role(s)
Wax on Wheels
Notes
Herself
1988–1993
Role(s)
Count Duckula
Notes
Various (voice)
1989
Role(s)
Blaize Falconberger
Notes
Episode: "Timeslides"
East Meets Wax
Role(s)
Herself
Class of '69
Role(s)
Presenter
1990
Hit and Run
Role(s)
1 episode
1991–1994
Role(s)
The Full Wax
Notes
23 episodes
1992
Role(s)
Sue
Notes
Episode: "Wild Turkey"
Wax Acts
Role(s)
Presenter
1993
Wax Cracks Hollywood
1994–1998
Role(s)
Ruby Wax Meets...
Notes
21 episodes
1995, 2001
Role(s)
Absolutely Fabulous
Notes
Candy / Beth De Woodi
1996
Role(s)
Hannah the Harp (voice)
1997–2000
Role(s)
Ruby
Notes
Presenter
1999–2000
Role(s)
Ruby's American Pie
Notes
12 episodes
1999
Ruby
Role(s)
Talk-reality show airing on Lifetime; 10 episodes
2001
Hot Wax
2001–2002
Role(s)
The Waiting Game
2002
Role(s)
8 episodes
The Ruby Wax Show
2002–2003
Role(s)
V Graham Norton
Notes
Herself - Guest
2003
Ruby Wax With...
Role(s)
Presenter
Notes
6 episodes
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Series one
Role(s)
2 episodes
Role(s)
1 episode
2004
Ruby Does the Business
Role(s)
Mini-series
Planet Cook
Role(s)
Roxie (voice)
Role(s)
The Executive
Notes
1 episode
2005
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
Episode: "Gumball 3000 Rally Special"
Role(s)
Herself - Contestant
Notes
4 episodes
2006
Role(s)
Presenter
Notes
10 episodes
Role(s)
The Pope (voice)
Notes
10 episodes
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
3 episodes
2009
Role(s)
Candida
Notes
Episode: "Black Gold"
2012
Ruby Wax's Mad Confessions
Role(s)
Herself
2013
Role(s)
1 episode
Role(s)
Episode: "Christmas Special: Strangers in the Night"
2014
Role(s)
Host - Presenter
Notes
Episode: "Let Me Be the Judge & I'm Still Here"
2017
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
1 episode
Head Talks
Role(s)
Hayley Edmonds (voice)
Notes
Episode: "Bolt from the Blue"
2018
Ruby Wax: How to Be Human
Role(s)
Presenter
Notes
Mini-series
2020
Role(s)
Herself
Notes
1 episode
2021
When Ruby Wax Met…
Role(s)
3 episodes
2022
Role(s)
Dictionary corner; 5 episodes
Role(s)
1 episode; Series 20 episode 8
Trailblazers: A Rocky Mountain Road Trip
Role(s)
3 episodes
2023
Ruby Wax: Cast Away
Role(s)
2 episodes
Role(s)
Celebrity Contestant
Notes
1 episode
2025
Role(s)
Moffi and Toffi
Notes
Good Morning, Coruscant hosts; 1 episode
Role(s)
Contestant
Notes
Series 25
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1979
Not the Nine O'Clock News
1 episode
1980
The Professionals
Lonnie
Episode: "Blood Sports"
1985
Happy Families
Waitress
Episode: "Cassie"
1985–1986
Girls on Top
Shelley
13 episodes
1986–1992
Wogan
Herself
5 episodes
1987–1988
Don't Miss Wax
Herself - Host
16 episodes
1988–1989
Wax on Wheels
Herself
1988–1993
Count Duckula
Various (voice)
15 episodes
1989
Red Dwarf
Blaize Falconberger
Episode: "Timeslides"
East Meets Wax
Herself
Class of '69
Presenter
1990
Hit and Run
1 episode
1991–1994
The Full Wax
23 episodes
1992
The Comic Strip Presents...
Sue
Episode: "Wild Turkey"
Wax Acts
Presenter
1993
Wax Cracks Hollywood
1994–1998
Ruby Wax Meets...
21 episodes
1995, 2001
Absolutely Fabulous
Candy / Beth De Woodi
Also script editor (39 episodes)
1996
Oscar's Orchestra
Hannah the Harp (voice)
1997–2000
Ruby
Presenter
BBC talk show; 48 episodes
1999–2000
Ruby's American Pie
12 episodes
1999
Ruby
Talk-reality show airing on Lifetime; 10 episodes
2001
Hot Wax
2001–2002
The Waiting Game
2002
Commercial Breakdown
8 episodes
The Ruby Wax Show
2002–2003
V Graham Norton
Herself - Guest
4 episodes
2003
Ruby Wax With...
Presenter
6 episodes
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy
Herself
Series one
The Big Read
2 episodes
Have I Got News for You
1 episode
2004
Ruby Does the Business
Mini-series
Planet Cook
Roxie (voice)
French and Saunders
The Executive
1 episode
2005
Jackass
Herself
Episode: "Gumball 3000 Rally Special"
Gameshow Marathon
Herself - Contestant
4 episodes
2006
Cirque de Celebrité
Presenter
10 episodes
Popetown
The Pope (voice)
10 episodes
Dawn French's Girls Who Do Comedy
Herself
3 episodes
2009
Taking the Flak
Candida
Episode: "Black Gold"
2012
Ruby Wax's Mad Confessions
Herself
2013
Anna & Katy
1 episode
College Tour
The Spa
Episode: "Christmas Special: Strangers in the Night"
2014
Crackanory
Host - Presenter
Episode: "Let Me Be the Judge & I'm Still Here"
2017
Who Do You Think You Are?
Herself
1 episode
Head Talks
Thunderbirds Are Go
Hayley Edmonds (voice)
Episode: "Bolt from the Blue"
2018
Ruby Wax: How to Be Human
Presenter
Mini-series
· Stage
1977
Role(s)
Woman
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
Role(s)
Neighbour
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
1978
Role(s)
Betty
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
Role(s)
Spirit
Notes
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Role(s)
performer
Notes
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Role(s)
Nun, Whore
Notes
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
Role(s)
Jaquenetta
Notes
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1979
The Johnson Wax Show
Role(s)
performer, writer
Notes
Gulbenkian Studio
Desperately Yours
Role(s)
performer
Notes
Gulbenkian Studio
Role(s)
Jaquenetta
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
Role(s)
performer
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
Role(s)
Suzie
Notes
Warehouse
Role(s)
Jane, Maid
Notes
Aldwych Theatre
Sore Throats
Role(s)
Sally
Notes
Warehouse
2005
Role(s)
The Grand High Witch
Notes
Wyndham's Theatre
Year
Title
Role(s)
Venue
Ref.
1977
The Days of the Commune
Woman
Aldwych Theatre
1977
The Alchemist
Neighbour
Aldwych Theatre
1978
The Way of the World
Betty
Aldwych Theatre
1978
The Tempest
Spirit
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1978
The Taming of the Shrew
performer
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1978
Measure for Measure
Nun, Whore
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1978
Love's Labour's Lost
Jaquenetta
Royal Shakespeare Theatre
1979
The Johnson Wax Show
performer, writer
Gulbenkian Studio
1979
Desperately Yours
performer
Gulbenkian Studio
1979
Love's Labour's Lost
Jaquenetta
Aldwych Theatre
1979
The Taming of the Shrew
performer
Aldwych Theatre
1979
The Innocent
Suzie
Warehouse
1979
Wild Oats
Jane, Maid
Aldwych Theatre
1979
Sore Throats
Sally
Warehouse
2005
The Witches
The Grand High Witch
Wyndham's Theatre

References

  1. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2002/dec/14/weekend7.weekend1
  2. Who's Who
  3. www.staffs.ac.uk
    https://www.staffs.ac.uk/about/honorary-graduates/ruby-wax-obe
  4. Speaker Ideas
    https://speakerideas.com/speaker/ruby-wax/
  5. Daily Record
    https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/tv-radio/tv-star-ruby-wax-on-why-she-never-1108663
  6. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/may/07/ruby-wax-not-as-well-as-i-thought-i-was-depression-interview-cast-away
  7. BBC Radio 4
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs_20050626.shtml
  8. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/26/ruby-wax-the-kids-didnt-know-i-had-depression-until-they-were-older-my-husband-covered-for-me
  9. The Age
    http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/03/28/1017206134483.html
  10. "Ruby Wax"
    https://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/episode/ruby-wax/
  11. Teach Secondary
    https://www.teachsecondary.com/comment/view/what-i-learnt-at-school-ruby-wax
  12. Personally Speaking Bureau
    http://www.personallyspeakingbureau.com/speaker/ruby-wax/
  13. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/17/ruby-wax-depression-interview
  14. Stratfordians, a dictionary of the RSC
  15. Plays One
  16. For Ian Charleson: A Tribute
  17. Hugh Hudson Commentary on Chariots of Fire DVD, Warner Bros. media.
  18. Metro
    https://metro.co.uk/2009/10/27/ruby-wax-2-636390/
  19. Usp-group.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090221164351/http://www.usp-group.com/record.jsp?type=teamMember&ID=5
  20. Timeslides
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0684185/
  21. IMDb
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0115340/fullcredits?ref_=tt_cl_sm#cast
  22. Evening Standard
    https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/i-thought-you-could-have-it-all-7245967.html
  23. CBBC Newsround
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/tv_film/newsid_2852000/2852107.stm
  24. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/sep/24/bbc.broadcasting?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487
  25. The Stage
    https://www.thestage.co.uk/news/ruby-wax-apology-over-racist-claims/
  26. The Observer
    https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/dec/11/arts.artsnews
  27. www.southampton.ac.uk
    https://www.southampton.ac.uk/news/2019/04/new-chancellor-appointment.page
  28. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/mar/22/ruby-wax-workshops-home-office
  29. Oxford Mail
    http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/10678444.Hats_off_to_comic_Ruby/
  30. rubywaxleadership.co.uk
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141228024319/http://rubywaxleadership.co.uk/training-and-education/
  31. the Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/10/ruby-wax-defuse-my-depression-a-mindfulness-guide-for-the-frazzled
  32. www.waterstones.com
    https://www.waterstones.com/book/and-now-for-the-good-news/ruby-wax/9780241400647
  33. www.waterstones.com
    https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-mindfulness-guide-for-survival/ruby-wax/9781787399594
  34. "Ruby Wax, Steve Backshall to receive honorary degrees from Bangor University"
    https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/ruby-wax-steve-backshall-to-receive-honorary-degrees-from-bangor-university
  35. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgk4x3ne1wo
  36. Guardian.com
    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/jul/17/ruby-wax-depression-interview
  37. Guardian.com
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2011/feb/27/ruby-wax-losing-it-live
  38. SANE, mental health charity - emotional support, research and campaigning
    http://www.sane.org.uk
  39. RubyWax.net
    http://www.rubywax.net/blog/an-announcement
  40. University of Surrey
    https://www.surrey.ac.uk/mediacentre/press/2015/ruby-wax-appointed-visiting-professor-university-surrey
  41. BBC News
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32477545
  42. "Honorary Awards"
    https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/509363/2015_Honorary_Awards_-_Final.pdf
  43. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/books/2023/aug/04/im-not-as-well-as-i-thought-i-was-by-ruby-wax-audiobook-review-a-wild-ride-through-depression
  44. The Guardian
    https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2023/nov/22/ruby-wax-im-not-as-well-as-i-thought-i-was-review
  45. The Telegraph
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comedy/what-to-see/ruby-wax-theatre-royal-brighton-review/
  46. The Sydney Morning Herald
    https://www.smh.com.au/culture/comedy/she-s-as-funny-as-ever-but-when-ruby-wax-isn-t-ok-she-knows-what-to-do-20241127-p5ktz4.html
  47. The Independent
    https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/how-we-met-ruby-wax-and-ed-bye-1455941.html
  48. Who Do You Think You Are?
    http://www.whodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/wdytya-episode-summary-ruby-wax
  49. HeraldScotland
    https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17843193.ruby-wax-pulls-fringe-show-39-serious-accident-39/
  50. "Ruby Wax cancels Fringe shows after horse fall"
    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-49377136
  51. bbc.co.uk
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fqx2
  52. IMDb
    https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0915375/
  53. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/day197711/
  54. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/alc197712/
  55. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/way197801/
  56. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/tem197805/
  57. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/tam197805/
  58. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/mea197806/
  59. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/lov197808/
  60. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/jow197903/
  61. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/dep197903/
  62. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/lov197904/
  63. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/tam197904/
  64. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/inc197905/
  65. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/wil197907/
  66. RSC Performances
    https://collections.shakespeare.org.uk/search/rsc-performances/sor197908/
  67. ""The Witches" starring Ruby Wax at Wyndham's from 3 Mar 2005"
    https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/news/the-witches-starring-ruby-wax-at-wyndhams-from-3-mar-2005
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