Ruby Wax OBE, born on April 19, 1953, in Evanston, Illinois, is a British-American actress, comedian, writer, and mental health advocate.
She trained at the Royal Shakespeare Company and gained fame through her comedic interview shows like The Full Wax and Ruby Wax Meets…
Wax has authored several books on mindfulness and mental health and founded Frazzled Cafe, a support network for mental well-being.
She continues to tour, with her latest show titled I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was.
Parents
Ruby’s parents, Edmund Wachs and Berta Goldmann, were Jewish refugees who fled Vienna, Austria, in 1938 due to the rising threat of the Nazis.
They settled in Chicago, where Ruby was born and raised as an only child.
Her father’s volatile nature and her mother’s struggles with mental health contributed to a dysfunctional household, which Ruby has described as traumatic.
This upbringing has influenced her views on mental health and her own experiences with depression.
Career
Wax began her career in the theater, training with the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.
In the late 1980s, she made her mark on British television with appearances in various shows, including Girls on Top, where she showcased her comedic talent.
Wax gained widespread recognition in the 1990s with her show The Full Wax, where she interviewed celebrities in a humorous and candid style.
She continued to build on this success with Ruby Wax Meets…, a series that featured her interviewing notable individuals from various fields, including politics, entertainment, and literature.
Her ability to connect with guests and elicit genuine responses made her a standout interviewer in the television landscape.
In addition to her work as an interviewer, Ruby contributed as a script editor for the iconic British sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, which further solidified her presence in the television industry.
Her contributions to this beloved show highlighted her talent for comedy and storytelling.
As an author, Wax has made significant contributions to discussions about mental health.
In 2013, she published Sane New World, a bestselling book that explores mental health issues and offers insights into managing anxiety and stress through mindfulness techniques.
This book reflects her own struggles with mental health and aims to help others navigate similar challenges.
She has written several other works, including A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled, which provides practical advice on achieving mental well-being.
In 2017, Ruby founded Frazzled Cafe, a network of support groups designed to help people manage stress and anxiety.
Ruby continues to perform live, with recent shows like I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, where she blends humor with discussions about mental health.
Her performances often include personal anecdotes and insights into her life experiences, making them both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Additionally, she remains active in television, making guest appearances on various talk shows and documentaries that address mental health topics.