Katherine Ryan is a Canadian comedian, writer, presenter and actress known for her edgy style and regular appearances on British television.
After moving from Canada to the UK in 2008, Ryan quickly established himself in the comedy industry, appearing on numerous television shows such as Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats and *QI.
She gained wider recognition through her stand-up comedy specials on Netflix, including Katherine Ryan: In Trouble (2017) and Glitter Room (2019).
Known for his candid humor and social commentary, Ryan has become a prominent figure in British comedy while creating and starring in the Netflix series The Duchess.
File
- Full name: Katherine Louisa Ryan
- Date of birth: June 30, 1983
- Age: 41 years old
- Gender: Female
- Place of birth: Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
- Nationality: Canadian and Irish
- Profession: Comedian, actor, writer, TV presenter
- Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.69 meters)
- Parents: Finbar Ryan, Julie McCarthy
- Siblings: Two younger sisters
- Spouse: Bobby Kootstra (civil partnership since 2019)
- Children: Violet Ryan, Frederick Ryan Kootstra, Fenna Grace Kootstra
- Relationship status: Married
- Religion: Not applicable
- Ethnicity: Irish-Canadian
- Net worth: 4 million USD
Early life and education
Katherine Ryan was born on June 30, 1983 in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. She is 41 years old as of 2024. Katherine grew up in an Irish and English family.
Her father, Finbar Ryan, worked as an engineering technician, and her mother, Julie McCarthy, ran an IT consulting company.
Katherine and her two younger sisters grew up in Sarnia, although the family often visited their grandparents in Cork, Ireland.
Ryan’s childhood was marked by challenges, including being bullied due to her quirky sense of humor, which was not well understood by her peers.
Her parents separated when she was 15, which influenced her decision to leave home at 18. Katherine then attended Ryerson University in Toronto, where she studied city planning.
During her college years, she worked as a waitress at Hooters and became a corporate coach for the company, traveling across Canada to open new locations. During this time, she began performing comedy at open mic events.
Personal life
Katherine Ryan has opened up about many different aspects of her life, including relationships and family. In 2019, she entered into a civil partnership with her high school sweetheart, Bobby Kootstra.
The couple initially dated as teenagers in Sarnia but reconnected two decades later when Katherine returned to Canada to film an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Their civil partnership ceremony took place in Denmark, with Katherine’s daughter Violet in attendance.
Ryan has three children: her eldest daughter, Violet Ryan, from a previous relationship, and two children with Bobby Kootstra—Frederick, born in 2021, and Fenna Grace, born in December 2022. The family resides in Wang England, where Katherine balances her life. Comedy career with family life.
Career
Katherine Ryan’s career began in Canada, where she regularly appeared on the comedy show Video on Trial.
After moving to the UK in 2008, she rose to fame for her performances on British television, becoming a regular guest on shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
Her breakthrough moment in British comedy came with her role as Nicki Minaj in Let’s Dance for Comic Relief in 2013, which increased her visibility in the UK.
In addition to her stand-up comedy work, Katherine has also made notable contributions as a writer and performer.
Her Netflix specials, In Trouble (2017) and Glitter Room (2019), showcased her sharp, observational humor and cemented her status as one of top comedy in the UK.
In 2020, she created, wrote, and starred in the Netflix series The Duchess, a semi-autobiographical comedy about a single mother navigating life in London.
Ryan has also hosted various television shows, including Hair on BBC Two and All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewelery Star.
Her comedy has won numerous awards, including the 2008 Nivea Funny Women Award and the 2023 National Comedy Award for Outstanding Female Comedy Entertainment Performance.
prize
- Nivea Women of Humor Award (2008)
- Runner-up of Laughing Moose contest (2008)
- Outstanding Female Entertainer Comedian, National Comedy Award (2023)
Net worth
Katherine Ryan’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million. She has built her fortune through successful stand-up comedy tours, television appearances, and Netflix specials.
Argumentative
Katherine Ryan has faced some controversy throughout her career, especially regarding her sense of humor. In 2013, she was criticized for a joke on Mock the Week in which she said: “We don’t test any of our products on animals.
We employ Filipino children.” The comment sparked outrage among Filipino groups, who protested against the BBC and demanded an apology.
Ryan later addressed the backlash, although the incident remains one of the most talked about controversies of her career.
In 2022, in an interview with Louis Theroux, Ryan made headlines when he discussed an “open secret” in the entertainment industry, referring to a famous television personality accused of sexual abuse.
Although she did not name the individual, her comments sparked discussions about harassment in the industry.
Social Media
- Instagram: @kathbum
- Twitter: @Kathbum
Cinema
- School (2009–2011)
- Episodes (2012)
- Bad Guys (2013)
- The Duchess (2020)
- Task Manager (2016, 2019)
Book
