Ryan Stiles mini-bio: Ryan Lee Stiles (born April 22, 1959) is an Emmy-nominated American actor and comedian, whose work is often associated with improvisational comedy.
In 2002, Stiles and Sean Masterson finished work on a screenplay entitled Live Bait, which is reportedly in production.
Stiles was born in Seattle, Washington, the youngest of five children. When he was ten, his Canadian-born parents moved the family to Richmond, British Columbia.
At the age of seventeen, he dropped out of high school to pursue a career in comedy.
He worked in his father's fish-processing plant to earn a living while doing stand-up in Vancouver-area nightclubs and performing improv with Vancouver TheatreSports League.
In 1986, Stiles successfully auditioned for a berth at Toronto's renowned Second City comedy ensemble.
By 1990, he had gained the attention of the producers of the British improvisational comedy show, "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". Stiles was a regular on the show until 1998, and the show's short production season allowed him to make numerous television and motion picture appearances in the United States as well.
In 1995, Stiles was tapped by American comic Drew Carey to be a regular on his sitcom, The Drew Carey Show. Stiles played Drew's smart but underachieving best friend, Lewis Kiniski. Stiles and Carey continued work on the comedy even as they brought "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" to American television, with Carey as the new host. Both men appeared weekly on the program and were its executive producers. Stiles did several impressions for the program, most notably Carol Channing and John Wayne.
He passionately despises singing in the Hoedown segment of Whose Line, to the point that he often ad-libs various insults at the expense of hosts Clive Anderson or Drew Carey during the segment, or at the hoedown itself. In the Season 1 DVD special features, one gag reel shows Ryan singing:
"Singing a song about a vending machine.
Don't you know that it's really not my scene.
Try to think of something clever with a little twist.
If we do another hoedown, I'll slit my f***ing wrist".
Also, during an episode that aired (aired as ep419 but filmed as ep411), he became totally lost for a verse, sitting down and telling Drew when his turn came that he was 'phased out'. This resulted in Carey standing behind Ryan, and singing Stiles' part for him.
Stiles had appeared in the movies "Hot Shots!" and "Hot Shots! Part Deux" (playing different roles).
He also appeared in the Academy Award-nominated short, "Rainbow War". On the TV screen, he has appeared as a guest star in several TV-series such as "Mad About You", "Parker Lewis Can't Lose", and "Dharma & Greg". He currently has a recurring role on "Two and a Half Men" as Judith's (Marin Hinkle) fiance.
He has also appeared in commercials for Slim Jim, Pizza Hut, Lotto 6-49, FedEx Kinko's, and Progressive Auto Insurance.
In 2004, Stiles appeared on the pilot filming of Drew Carey's "Green Screen Show" but unfortunately his one filming was never aired during the run of the short-lived 12 episode series. In 2005, he appeared in the "Conker: Live & Reloaded videogame's promotional mockumentary."
He was photographed for life-size stand-ups displayed at Kinko's stores. His name tag said "Kenny", though, as that was the name he introduced himself as in his commercials with Kinko's.
Stiles also appeared in a television advert for KFC Fillet Tower burger and KFC Mega Bucket on British television in 1997.
In 1989, Stiles married Patricia McDonald, and they have three children (Sam, Mackenzie and Claire). When not working in Hollywood, he lives at his home in Washington state, where he has opened the Upfront Theatre, a small theatre dedicated to live improv comedy.
He was rumored to be a diabetic, although on the April 7, 2007 episode of Outlaw Radio, he laughed at and denied the rumor.
Because of his large shoe size, Stiles reportedly has trouble finding shoes that fit him. He often has custom-made shoes by George Esquivel.
Jokes pertaining to Stiles' shoes on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" are quite common.
Stiles once lived in a house previously owned by Liberace in Sherman Oaks, California, but sold the house several years ago.
Ryan's best friend is his fellow comedian, Colin Mochrie.
LifeIsACartoon8Dposted 123 days ago
