Katherine Ryan Biography: Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Children, Age, Net Worth

Katherine Ryan is a Canadian comedian, writer, presenter, and actress known for her sharp style and frequent appearances on British television.

After moving from Canada to the UK in 2008, Ryan quickly established herself in the comedy scene, appearing on numerous panel shows such as Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and *QI.

She gained further recognition through her stand-up comedy specials on Netflix, including Katherine Ryan: In Trouble (2017) and Glitter Room (2019).

Known for her candid humor and social commentary, Ryan has become a prominent figure in British comedy while also creating and starring in the Netflix series The Duchess.

Profile

• 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, actress, writer, television 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: N/A
• Ethnicity: Irish-Canadian
• Net worth: $4 million

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 British 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 were raised in Sarnia, though the family often visited their paternal grandparents in Cork, Ireland.

Ryan’s childhood was marked by challenges, including bullying 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 trainer for the company, traveling across Canada to open new locations. During this time, she began performing stand-up comedy at open mic events.

Personal Life

Katherine Ryan has been open about various aspects of her life, including her 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 after two decades when Katherine returned to Canada to film an episode of Who Do You Think You Are? Their civil partnership ceremony occurred 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 the UK, where Katherine balances her comedy career with family life.

Career

Katherine Ryan’s career began in Canada, where she regularly appeared on the comedy panel show Video on Trial.

After moving to the UK in 2008, she gained prominence with her performances on British television, becoming a frequent guest on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week, QI, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Her breakthrough moment in British comedy came with her performance as Nicki Minaj on Let’s Dance for Comic Relief in 2013, which boosted her visibility in the UK.

In addition to her stand-up comedy work, Katherine has 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 the leading comedians 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 programs, including Hair on BBC Two and All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star.

Her comedy has won multiple accolades, including the Nivea Funny Women Award in 2008 and the 2023 National Comedy Award for Outstanding Female Comedy Entertainment Performance.

Awards

• Nivea Funny Women Award (2008)
• Runner-up, Amused Moose Laugh-Off competition (2008)
• Outstanding Female Comedy Entertainment Performance, National Comedy Awards (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.

Controversy

Katherine Ryan has faced some controversies throughout her career, particularly regarding her 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 use Filipino children.” The comment sparked outrage among Filipino groups, who protested at the BBC, demanding an apology.

Ryan later addressed the backlash, though the incident remains one of the most talked-about controversies in her career.

In 2022, during an interview with Louis Theroux, Ryan made headlines by discussing an “open secret” in the entertainment industry, referring to a prominent TV personality accused of sexual abuse.

While she did not name the individual, her comments reignited discussions about harassment in the industry.

Social Media

• Instagram: @kathbum
• Twitter: @Kathbum

Filmography

• Campus (2009–2011)
• Episodes (2012)
• Badults (2013)
• The Duchess (2020)
• Taskmaster (2016, 2019)

Books