Ryan Knowles
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
December 12, 1978
Ryan Knowles | |
|---|---|
 Ryan Knowles at 54 Below, NYC. July 2022 | |
| Born | Ryan Knowles December 12, 1978 Whittier, California, U.S. |
| Occupations | Actor, Singer, Playwright, Comedian |
| Years active | 2005-present |
| Website | RyanKnowles.com |
Ryan Knowles (born December 12, 1978, in California) is an American actor, singer, comedian, writer, television host, speech coach and motivational speaker.
Knowles was born and grew up in Orange County, California. He lives in New York City. In addition to performing, Knowles is a motivational speaker and speech and performance coach for students, politicians and business leaders.[1]
New York theatre
On October 16, 2019, Knowles made his Broadway debut in The Lightning Thief, which ran at Longacre Theatre until January 5, 2020.[2] Playing 9 characters with 25 quick changes,[3] the New York Times included his performance in their "Best Of Theatre 2019" list.[4]
In 2025, Knowles joined Disney Cruise Line as a Broadway Guest Artist on board the Disney Fantasy portraying the roles of Jafar in Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular and Dr. Greenaway in Disney's Believe. This is the second time he as appeared in this show, having portrayed the Genie in the original production at Hyperion Theatre at Disney's California Adventure in Anaheim, California in 2006 and 2007. [5]
Off-Broadway, Knowles appeared in the award-winning topical revue NEWSical:The Musical at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre, alongside stars Christine Pedi, Michael West, Christina Bianco, Tommy Walker and guest stars Perez Hilton, Andrea McArdle, Cheri Oteri and Carson Kressley, among others.[6]
Knowles has appeared in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall and in other projects with the Rockettes.
Knowles wrote and performed his solo show "DIG & BE DUG: The Gospel of Lord Buckley" for the Planet Connections Theatre Festival in Summer 2010. His performance as the now-forgotten jazz comedian Lord Buckley garnered critical acclaim and won Knowles the awards for "Best Solo Show" and "Best Performance in a Solo Show."[7]
In spring 2010, he starred as the perverted and tyrannical Roman Emperor Caligula in Randy Weiner's (The Donkey Show) and Alfred Preisser's debaucherous Caligula Maximus,[8] a new circus/musical/extravaganza at La MaMa ETC in the Ellen Stewart Theatre, to great critical acclaim.
In 2006, Knowles starred as "Prospero" in the new musical, Tempest at the Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City. He adapted the text from Shakespeare's original and co-wrote the book with Daniel Neiden, working from a concept by Tony-winning book writer Thomas Meehan.
Knowles appeared in the New York premiere of the new mystery Hound portraying Sherlock Holmes, a role which won him the award for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor[9] at the Planet Connections Theatre Festival.
In 2005, he starred as "Nick Bottom" for over a year of performances at the Manhattan Ensemble Theatre in Soho in the hit 1950's-style musical version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fools In Love.[10]
National tours
Prior to playing Broadway, Knowles played the same roles in the First National Tour of The Lightning Thief for 9 months.[3]
Knowles spent a year on the North American leg of the 2013/2014 World Tour of We Will Rock You. the worldwide smash-hit musical by Queen and Ben Elton. Knowles originated the role of "Buddy," a lovable stoner in the vein of Cheech & Chong; a cross between Hans Solo and Willie Nelson, a Bohemian Rebel Leader, for the wonderfully silly, futuristic rock saga. Ben Elton, the book writer, and director of the production, wrote the part in rehearsals to be tailor-made for Knowles.[3]
Knowles performed in the North American tours of the Broadway production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! in 2011 and 2010, playing the role of "Grandpa Who" and "Grinch u/s."
In winter 2009, Knowles toured the country in Todrick Hall's Oz the Musical as "Brenda," the "Wicked Witch of the West Side," alongside Vonzell Solomon of American Idol, Aundrea Fimbres of Danity Kane, and Orlando Brown of Disney's That's So Raven.
Writing
Knowles has written stand-up, sketch comedies, short stories, 6 plays and 2 musicals, including "DIG & BE DUG: The Gospel of Lord Buckley," "Nick Bottom's Extravaganza!," "The Tempest: The Musical."
Television
In 2006, Knowles was brought on as the Host of Nickelodeon's daily live show ME:TV.
Film
In 2008, Knowles filmed his first feature, Camp Hell,[11] a supernatural thriller from Holedigger Films. The film also stars Academy Award-nominee Bruce Davison, Emmy-winner Dana Delany and Jesse Eisenberg. The film had a 2011 theatrical release.
Speech coaching
In addition to performing, Knowles is a speech coach and political consultant. He has worked as a speechwriter and debate/vocal coach for numerous local and state candidates nationwide. Also, Knowles is one of the country's foremost consultants in Speech and Interpretive Performance for competitive high school students. He is employed by a number of top high school programs, both public and private, on both coasts. Knowles is the co-founder (with David Kraft) of Interprod Performance Studies Institute in Boston, Massachusetts; a summer intensive program for gifted young performers. This line of work was inspired by Knowles' success as a high school and collegiate speech and debate competitor, during which time he won numerous State and National Championships, as well as becoming the first American in history to win a World Championship at the 2000 World Universities Debate Association Championship Tournament at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.[12]
