Explore Ruby Wax’s Life and Legacy: Comedy, Courage, and Her Notorious OJ Simpson Interview
Ruby Wax is a prominent figure in both comedy and mental health advocacy. Currently a contestant on “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” 2025, she continues to capture public attention with her fearless approach to entertainment and conversation.
Journey Through Comedy and Iconic Interviews
Born in 1953 in Evanston, Illinois, Wax is the daughter of Edward and Berthe Wachs, Jewish refugees who escaped from Vienna before World War II. Her childhood was marked by complexity, with a mother struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder and a tumultuous home life characterized by chaos.
Wax’s academic journey began with psychology studies at the University of California, Berkeley, but she later pursued drama at the Royal Scottish Academy in the UK. She soon gained recognition for her work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and quickly became a household name in the British comedy scene during the 1980s and 1990s.
The OJ Simpson Interview
One of Wax’s most notable achievements is her 1998 interview with OJ Simpson. This interview occurred shortly after Simpson’s civil court trial, where he was found liable for the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The encounter is infamous for its surreal quality and Wax’s bold questioning style. Simpson’s unsettling behavior, including a prank emulating a stabbing motion with a banana, has left an indelible mark on the interview’s legacy.
Segments of this interview were later featured in a 2021 BBC documentary, providing insight into both Simpson’s psyche and Wax’s unique interviewing techniques. Wax described Simpson as “the most complicated character on Earth,” highlighting the complexity of celebrity personas.
Courage in the Face of Adversity
Throughout her career, Ruby Wax has handled personal challenges with remarkable poise. Following a brief first marriage, she married Ed Bye in 1988, and the couple has three children: Marina, Max, and Madeline. Her openness about mental health struggles has resonated widely, as she advocates for understanding and support around these issues.
Wax’s candid discussions about her fears concerning hereditary mental health issues have contributed to her identity as a public figure dedicated to advocacy. She often emphasizes the support she has received from her children, who have ventured into comedy as well.
A Multifaceted Legacy
As she faces the challenges of reality television, Ruby Wax embodies resilience and bravery. Her ability to mix humor with important social commentary has established her as a significant voice in both comedy and mental health advocacy. Her legacy is not solely defined by laughter but by her courage to explore uncomfortable truths and ask difficult questions. Wax’s story serves as a reminder that raw honesty and a refusal to be confined by labels can lead to profound personal and public transformation.
- Born: 1953, Evanston, Illinois
- Key Interview: OJ Simpson (1998)
- Married: Ed Bye (1988), three children
- Advocacy: Mental health awareness
- Notable Work: Comedian, interviewer, advocate
