Ruby Wax OBE

About

Ruby Wax is an American comedian. She made a career in the United Kingdom as part of the alternative comedy scene in the 1980s. She is one of the country’s most-admired celebrities and interviewers–known for her directness, intuition and humour.

Ruby grew up in Evanston, Illinois in the 1950s and 60s. She then elected to major in psychology at the University of California.

Ruby Wax came to the UK and studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. She began her acting career as a straight actress at the Crucible Theatre, Sheffield. And in 1978, she joined the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Her popularity in terms of comedy came from her interviewing technique. She was always forthright, brash and loud, conforming to the British stereotype of an American.

Many of her early television shows involved her simply meeting and interviewing people. Then in 1987, Ruby started her own comedy chat show Don’t Miss Wax, on Channel 4.

Ruby began work with the BBC in 1991 in a variety of TV programs. Then this culminated with her 1996 series Ruby Wax Meets. She also nominated in 1996 for a BAFTA award for her interview with Sarah, Duchess of York. The interview attracted over 14 million viewers.

Ruby’s 2010/11 standup show Losing It deals with her experience of depression. She founded a mental health website in 2011 in response to the audience reaction from her theatre show.

In addition, Ruby teaches business communication in both the public and private sector. Her clients include Deutsche Bank, the UK Home Office and Skype.

She has obtained a postgraduate certificate in psychotherapy and counselling from Regents College in London.