Jump to content

Ryan Stiles: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m clean up, replaced: due to the fact that → because using AWB
No edit summary
 
(821 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American-Canadian comedian (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox comedian
{{Infobox comedian
| name = Ryan Stiles
| name = Ryan Stiles
| image = RyanStilesNov08.jpg
| image = File:RyanStilesNov08.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Stiles in November 2008
| caption = Stiles in November 2008
| birth_name = Ryan Lee Stiles
| birth_name =Ryan Lee Stiles
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|4|22}}<ref name=tcm>{{cite web |title=Ryan Stiles |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/184864%7C0/Ryan-Stiles |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]] |access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|4|22}}
| birth_place = [[Seattle, Washington]], [[United States|U.S.]]
| birth_place = [[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.
| nationality = American-Canadian
| nationality = {{hlist|American|Canadian}}
| genre = [[Improvisational comedy]]
| genre = [[Improvisational comedy]]
| medium = [[Stand-up comedy|Stand-up]], [[television]], [[film]]
| medium = [[Stand up comedy|Stand up]], [[television]], [[film]]
| notable_work ={{ubl|[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|British]] and [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (American TV series)|American versions of ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'']]|[[Lewis Kiniski]] on ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''|[[Herb Melnick]] on ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''}}
| active = 1985–present
| height = {{ft in to m|6|6|precision=2}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Patricia McDonald|1988}}
| children = 3
| notable_work = [[Lewis Kiniski]] on ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''<br>Herb Melnick on ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''<br>[[Whose Line Is It Anyway?|British]] and [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|American versions of ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'']]
| spouse = Patricia McDonald (1988–present)
| active = 1985–present
| website =
}}
}}


'''Ryan Lee Stiles''' (born April 22, 1959) is an American-Canadian [[actor]], [[comedian]], [[Television director|director]], and [[voice actor]] whose work is often associated with [[improvisational comedy]]. He is best known for his improv and co-production work on the American and British versions of ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'' and the role of [[Lewis Kiniski]] on ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. He currently plays Herb Melnick on the [[CBS]] comedy ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''.
'''Ryan Lee Stiles''' (born April 22, 1959) is an American-Canadian comedian and actor. His work is often associated with [[improvisational comedy]]. He is best known for his work on ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' (both the [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|original British version]] and the [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (American TV series)|subsequent American version]]) and for his role as [[Lewis Kiniski]] on ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. He also played [[Herb Melnick]] on the [[CBS]] comedy ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'' and was a performer on the show ''[[Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza]]''.


== Early life and career ==
==Early life and career==
The youngest of five children, Ryan Stiles was born in [[Seattle]] to Canadian parents Irene and Sonny Stiles.<ref name=tcm>{{cite web |title=Ryan Stiles |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/184864%7C0/Ryan-Stiles |website=[[Turner Classic Movies]] |access-date=April 24, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Tracy |first1=Kathleen |title=Home Brewed: The Drew Carey Story |date=1997 |publisher=Boulevard |page=97 |isbn=9781572973619 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yL6lxnF6rFMC}}</ref> He grew up with his mother, a homemaker, and his father, a supervisor at a Vancouver-based Canadian [[fish processing]] plant. When he was ten, his family moved to [[Vancouver, British Columbia]]. Ryan Stiles attended [[Robert Cecil Palmer Secondary School|R.C. Palmer Junior Secondary School]] and Richmond Senior Secondary in [[Richmond, British Columbia]]. Although he was a good student, Stiles has admitted that "being a high-school senior gave [him] too much freedom." He got so carried away with his flexible schedule that at age 17, he quit school a few months shy of graduation.


Despite his parents' objections, he was able to support himself doing [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up]] routines at clubs near his home in Vancouver. He helped Rich Elwood start Punchlines Comedy Club. During this time, he was the head writer of ''[[Don Harron|The Don Harron Show]]'' on [[CTV Television Network|CTV]] and the host of ''Comedy College'' on [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]. Stiles was a regular improv performer with the Vancouver Theatresports League and Punchlines' "No Name Player" before joining the [[The Second City|Second City]] comedy ensemble at [[Expo 86]]. He continued performing with Second City in [[Toronto]] and later in [[Los Angeles]].
Stiles was born in [[Seattle, Washington]], the youngest of five children. His father, Sonny, was a fishing plant supervisor. His mother's name is Irene.<ref>[http://www.filmreference.com/film/78/Ryan-Stiles.html Ryan Stiles Biography (1959–)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> When he was ten, his [[Canada|Canadian]]-born parents moved the family to [[Richmond, British Columbia]]. At the age of seventeen, he dropped out of his [[high school]], [[Richmond Secondary]], to pursue a career in [[comedy]]. He worked in his father's fish-processing plant to earn a living while doing [[stand-up comedy|stand-up]] at Punchlines Comedy Club in Vancouver, British Columbia and performing improv with Vancouver [[TheatreSports]] League. In 1986, Stiles successfully [[audition (performing arts)|auditioned]] for a berth at [[Toronto, Ontario|Toronto]]'s renowned [[The Second City|Second City]] comedy ensemble.


==Career==
== Television work ==
===''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' and ''The Drew Carey Show''===
By 1989, Stiles had gained the attention of the producers of the British improvisational comedy show ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]'' Stiles was a regular on the show until its end in 1998. His performance on the program earned him both critical praise and a devoted fan following in the United Kingdom. In 1995, Stiles was asked by American comic [[Drew Carey]] to be a regular on his sitcom ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. Stiles played Carey's erudite but underachieving best friend, Lewis Kiniski.


In 1998, Carey successfully lobbied ABC to produce an [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (American TV series)|American version of ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'']] Following the final season of the British version in 1998, the American version premiered, with both Stiles and Carey credited as executive producers. Stiles received a nomination for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]] in 2002 for his work on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.emmys.com/shows/whose-line-it-anyway|title=Whose Line Is It Anyway?|website=Emmys.com|publisher=[[Academy of Television Arts & Sciences]]|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref> A running gag of the show is Stiles' flashy dress shoes as well as his frequent impressions of American actress [[Carol Channing]].
By 1989, Stiles 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 program|television]] and [[feature film|motion picture]] appearances in the United States.


Though he never appeared in the series, Stiles (along with [[Kaitlin Olson]]) performed in the taping of the unaired pilot episode of ''[[Drew Carey's Green Screen Show]]'', which involved improv games similar to ''Whose Line?'' games played in front of a massive [[Chroma key|green screen]]. Animation was later added to the improv footage.
In 1995, Stiles was asked by American comic [[Drew Carey]] to be a regular on his comedy ''[[The Drew Carey Show]]''. Stiles played Drew's smart but underachieving best friend, '''Lewis Kiniski'''. Stiles' first line in the pilot episode of the show, "And that's why the French don't wash," is a line he had previously used in an episode of the British version of ''Whose Line?''.


Stiles returned as performer and executive producer for [[The CW]]'s revival of ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' in the summer of 2013.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2013/03/01/whose-line-is-it-anyway-returns-to-television-as-part-of-the-cws-summer-2013-schedule-136011/20130301cw01/|title=''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' Returns to Television as Part of The CW's Summer 2013 Schedule|publisher=[[The CW]]|via=[[The Futon Critic]]|date=March 1, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/03/cw-brings-back-whose-line-is-it-anyway-for-summer-run-aisha-tyler-to-host-443829/|title=CW Brings Back ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' For Summer Run, Aisha Tyler To Host|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=March 1, 2013|access-date=April 25, 2021}}</ref>
=== ''Whose Line Is It Anyway?'' ===


===Other television and film work===
In 1998, Carey successfully lobbied ABC to get an [[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|American version of ''Whose Line?'']] produced. Following the final season of the British version in 1998, the American version premiered, with both Stiles and Carey credited as [[executive producer]]s. Stiles and [[Colin Mochrie]] were the only two performers to appear in every episode of the US version, though [[Wayne Brady]] also became a regular near the beginning of the second season. The series was produced until 2006.
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2017}}
Stiles appeared in the 1991 film ''[[Hot Shots!]]'' as Mailman Farnham and its 1993 sequel, ''[[Hot Shots! Part Deux]]'', as marine Rabinowitz. He portrayed recurring character Dr. Herb Melnick on ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'' from 2004 until the show's end in 2015. He made short guest appearances on ''[[Parker Lewis Can't Lose]]'', ''[[Murphy Brown]]'', ''[[Mad About You]]'', ''[[Mad TV]]'', and ''[[Dharma & Greg]]''. In July 2008, he was a guest star on ''[[Reno 911!]]'' as Sergeant Clift, an acting coach.


During the [[1994 Major League Baseball strike]], Stiles appeared in several commercials for [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], hanging out in an empty ballpark, doing things such as playing the organ and attempting to do the wave alone. The commercials ended with the line: "Play ball. Please."
Stiles was the most prolific performer on the original UK version of ''Whose Line?'', appearing in 76 of the series 136 episodes (including compilations). He first appeared in the fifth episode of the second season, which aired in late 1988. He appeared in one other episode of that season, before returning for four episodes of the third season. His prominence increased with each season, including appearances in every episode of Season 4 which was filmed in New York; ultimately appearing in every episode from the seventh season onwards.


In 2005, Stiles appeared in the [[mockumentary]] ''Conker: Celebrity Squirrel'' produced for the promotion of the [[Xbox]] video game ''[[Conker: Live & Reloaded]].''<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ia-nqTV0Hs |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/4ia-nqTV0Hs| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Conker: Celebrity Squirrel|date=November 9, 2006|access-date=December 26, 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref> This role led to gamers voting to induct him into the 2015 class of the DK Vine Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoowcvGIYmw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/BoowcvGIYmw| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=DK Vine Hall of Fame 2015 (Part Five)|date=August 10, 2015|access-date=December 26, 2015|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
Stiles was known for several recurring impressions he performed on the shows, performed both at his own decision and as an assignment in games. These included [[Carol Channing]], [[Elvis Presley]], [[John Wayne]], [[Jimmy Stewart]], [[Steve Irwin]] and [[Christopher Lloyd|Christopher Lloyd's]] character in [[Taxi (TV series)|Taxi]], [[Jim Ignatowski]]. He made clear his dislike of the musical segments of the show at every opportunity whenever he was chosen to perform in them, mostly because of his inability to form lyrics quickly. In particular, he disliked the games [[Hoedown]] and Irish Drinking Song, often reacting negatively (or sarcastically positively) to its being announced. Other than in early UK playings, Stiles was always the last performer to sing in Hoedown and other similar musical games, allowing him more time to devise lyrics, and giving him the final punch-lines, as well as injecting (usually not-so subtle) jabs at the Hoedown itself, or of the host for having him perform in it.


== Philanthropy ==
Stiles had first met Colin Mochrie years before while performing [[stand-up comedy|stand-up]]. They first performed together in Vancouver TheaterSports then in [[Second City Toronto|Second City]], [[Toronto]].There were a number of games which exclusively paired Mochrie and Stiles at every playing. Though other performers did so, he was the most common performer to make bald jokes at Mochrie's expense. In return, Mochrie often made jokes about Stiles's height, nose, attractiveness, and tendency to wear exotic, flamboyant shoes, which were designed by [[George Esquivel]]. However, he would sometimes stand up to or make jokes at the other performers (including Drew Carey) who made fun of Mochrie's baldness or Mochrie in general, notably during Scenes From A Hat.
Stiles has been a frequent fundraiser for children with burn injuries, raising over $500,000 for the Burned Children Recovery Center since 2009 and helping the foundation to recover from the [[Great Recession]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burnedchildrenrecovery.org/ryan-stiles-fundraising|title=Burned Children Recovery Foundation|access-date=December 26, 2015}}</ref>

Stiles took part in the regular practice of mocking host [[Clive Anderson]] on the UK series, though he did so with less frequency than others. On the American version, however, he was among the most frequent mockers of Carey, especially during the Hoedowns.

Stiles was almost always in a button-up shirt; typically a [[dress shirt]], and was one of the few performers (along with [[Greg Proops]]) to commonly wear a necktie. One of Stiles's notable trademarks on the US series were his [[Dress shoe#Men's dress shoes|dress shoes]], many of which were an unusual color, most notably his blue shoes, or had a flashy pattern of several colors. This was because he often had to get shoes custom-made due to his height and shoe size. Stiles' shoes and the size of his nose were sometimes mocked by Carey and the other performers. In addition, a running gag on both versions of the show had the producers trying (and invariably failing) to stump Stiles, by giving him increasingly bizarre mannerisms or characters in the games that require him to act them out. When reading them just prior to the scene, he and Carey would often laugh at what was written on the cards.<ref>As seen in many episodes of Season 1 released to DVD; Episode 22 Season 7 (Let's Make A Date game)</ref>

Stiles received a nomination for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program]] in 2002 for his work on the show.

Though he never appeared in the series, Stiles (along with Kaitlyn Olson) performed in the taping of the unaired pilot episode of ''[[Drew Carey's Green Screen Show]]'', which involved improv games similar to ''Whose Line?'' games played in front of a massive green screen. Animation was later added to the improv footage.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==
In 1981, Stiles met Patricia McDonald at Punchlines, where she was a waitress. They married in 1988 and have three children together.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/story.html?id=b5eb0f39-779d-4a18-a402-eefe2d224d6f |title = Iconic actor likes to stay close to home |last = Spalding |first = Derek |work = [[Nanaimo Daily News]] |publisher = [[CanWest]] |date = May 8, 2008 |access-date = June 22, 2012 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140326053415/http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/story.html?id=b5eb0f39-779d-4a18-a402-eefe2d224d6f |archive-date = March 26, 2014 }}</ref>


In 1981, Stiles met Patricia McDonald at Punchlines where she was waitressing. They lived together for seven years before marrying in 1988. They have three children: Sam, Mackenzie, and Claire.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} When not working in [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]], he lives at his home on Lake Samish, outside [[Bellingham, Washington]],<ref>{{cite news |first= Saint|last= Bryan|title= Ryan Stiles, back home again|url= http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/eveningmagazine/stories/NW_032306EMryanstilesKC.547e80d4.html|work= Evening Magazine|publisher= [[KING-TV]]|location= [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]]|date= 2006-03-24|accessdate=2008-07-27 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080526023650/http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/eveningmagazine/stories/NW_032306EMryanstilesKC.547e80d4.html |archivedate = 2008-05-26}}</ref> where he has opened the Upfront Theatre, a small theatre dedicated to live [[Improvisational comedy|improv comedy]].<ref>{{cite news |first= Ian|last= Chant|title= Shooting From the Hip&nbsp;— Upfront Theatre Improv mixes it up|url= http://www.whatsup-magazine.com/index.php?navarea=Archives&storyid=382|publisher= ''What's Up'' magazine|location= [[Bellingham, Washington]]|year= 2006|month= June|accessdate=2008-07-27}}</ref>
When not working, he lives at his home on [[Lake Samish]], outside [[Bellingham, Washington]],<ref>{{cite news |first= Saint|last= Bryan|title= Ryan Stiles, back home again|url= http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/eveningmagazine/stories/NW_032306EMryanstilesKC.547e80d4.html|work= Evening Magazine|publisher= [[KING-TV]]|location= [[Seattle, Washington|Seattle]]|date= March 24, 2006|access-date=July 27, 2008 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080526023650/http://www.king5.com/sharedcontent/northwest/eveningmagazine/stories/NW_032306EMryanstilesKC.547e80d4.html |archive-date = May 26, 2008}}</ref> where he opened the Upfront Theatre, a small theatre dedicated to live [[Improvisational theatre|improv comedy]].<ref>{{cite news |first= Ian|last= Chant|title= Shooting From the Hip&nbsp;– Upfront Theatre Improv mixes it up|url= http://www.whatsup-magazine.com/index.php?navarea=Archives&storyid=382|publisher= What's Up magazine|location= [[Bellingham, Washington]]|date=June 2006|access-date=July 27, 2008}}</ref>

Stiles once lived in a house previously owned by [[Liberace]] in [[Sherman Oaks, California]], but he sold it.<ref>[http://www.celebrina.com/ryan-stiles.html Ryan Stiles at celebrina.com]</ref>

== Other appearances ==

Stiles appeared in the 1991 film ''[[Hot Shots]]'' as Mailman Farnham, and also starred in the 1993 sequel ''[[Hot Shots! Part Deux]]'', as marine Rabinowitz.

Since 2004, Stiles has been seen as the recurring character Dr. Herb Melnick in several episodes of the comedy ''[[Two and a Half Men]]'' which stars his ''Hot Shots'' co-stars [[Charlie Sheen]] and [[Jon Cryer]]. Stiles also made short guest appearances on ''[[Murphy Brown]]'', ''[[Mad About You]]'', ''[[Mad TV]]'', and ''[[Dharma & Greg]]''. In July 2008, he was a guest star on ''[[Reno 911!]]'' as Sergeant Clift, an acting coach.

During the [[1994 Major League Baseball strike]] Stiles appeared in several commercials for [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]], hanging out in an empty ballpark doing things such as playing the organ and attempting to do the wave alone. The commercials ended with the tag line: "Play ball. Please."


== Filmography ==
== Filmography ==
===Film===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Film
|+ Film
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
Line 74: Line 63:
| ''[[Rainbow War]]''
| ''[[Rainbow War]]''
|
|
| Short film
|
|-
|-
| 1991
| rowspan=2|1991
| ''[[Hot Shots!]]''
| ''[[Hot Shots!]]''
| 'Mailman' Farnham
| Dominic "Mailman" Farnham
|
|-
| ''Public Enemy #2''
| Sidewalk Santa
|
|
|-
|-
Line 87: Line 80:
|-
|-
| 1997
| 1997
| ''[[Courting Courtney]]''
| ''Courting Courtney''
| Chad Gross
| Chad Gross
|
|
|-
|-
| 2003
| rowspan=2|2003
| ''[[Nobody Knows Anything]]''
| ''Nobody Knows Anything!''
| Harold
| Harold
| Uncredited
| uncredited
|-
| data-sort-value="Devil Made Me Do It, The" | ''The Devil Made Me Do It''
| The Devil
| Short film
|-
|-
| 2006
| 2006
| ''{{sortname|The|Extra}}''
| data-sort-value="Extra, The" | ''The Extra''
| Clyde
| Clyde
| Short film
|
|-
|-
| 2009
| 2009
| ''[[Astro Boy (2009 film)|Astro Boy]]''
| ''[[Astro Boy (film)|Astro Boy]]''
| Mr. Mustachio
| [[Mr. Mustachio]] / Burning Robot
| voice
| Voice
|-
| 2011
|''[[Spooky Buddies]]''
| Hoot
| Voice<br/> Direct-to-video
|-
| 2012
|''[[Treasure Buddies]]''
| Slither
| Voice<br/> Direct-to-video
|}
|}


===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Television
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Television
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
Line 115: Line 123:
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
| 1985
| 1990–<br />2006
| data-sort-value="Beachcombers, The" | ''[[The Beachcombers]]''
| ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway]]''
| Leo aka Tall Suit
| Season 14, episode 6: "Halibut Stu"
|-
| 1986
| data-sort-value="Hitchhiker, The" | ''[[The Hitchhiker (TV series)|The Hitchhiker]]''
| Maker
| Also known as ''Deadly Nightmares'' in the United Kingdom; ''Le Voyageur'' in France<br/> Uncredited<br/> Season 3, episode 7: "O.D. Feelin'"
|-
| 1988
| ''110 Lombard''
|
| TV movie
|-
| 1989–1999
| ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (UK TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]''
| Himself
| Himself
| UK series, 92 episodes
|appeared in every episode from 1995 onwards, including every episode of the US version
|-
| 1990
| ''[[It's Garry Shandling's Show]]''
| Kenny Tuchman / Bob #2
| Season 4, episode 13: "Chester Gets a Show"
|-
| rowspan=2|1991
| ''[[Who's the Boss?]]''
| Bobo the Clown
| Season 7, episode 20: "Party Politics"
|-
| ''Life As We Know It!''
|
| TV movie
|-
| 1991-1992
| ''[[Parker Lewis Can't Lose]]''
| Weather Guy / Clerk / Sweepstakes Guy
| 3 episodes<br/> Uncredited - 2 episodes
|-
| 1992
| ''Say What?''
| Actor
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|1993-1994
| ''[[Mad About You]]''
| Boss / Video Vogue Manager
| 2 episodes
|-
| data-sort-value="John Larroquette Show, The" | ''[[The John Larroquette Show]]''
| CIA Agent Kinkaid / Mac / Dave
| 3 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|1994
| ''[[Weird Science (TV series)|Weird Science]]''
| Dale Griffin
| Season 2, episode 13: "Unplugged"
|-
| ''L.A.X. 2194''
|
| TV pilot
|-
|-
| 1995–2004
| 1995–<br />2004
| ''{{sortname|The|Drew Carey Show}}''
| ''{{sortname|The|Drew Carey Show}}''
| Lewis Kiniski
| Lewis Kiniski
| Main role; 231 episodes<br/> Director - Season 5, episode 23: "Kate vs. Speedy"
|Main role
|-
|-
| 1996
| 2004–<br />present
| ''[[Saturday Night Special (TV series)|Saturday Night Special]]''
| {{N/A}}
| Creative consultant
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Murphy Brown]]''
| Acolyte Monk #2
| Season 9, episode 19: "Desperate Times"
|-
| 1998–2006;<br>2013–present
| ''[[Whose Line Is It Anyway? (U.S. TV series)|Whose Line Is It Anyway?]]''
| Himself
| US series, 335 episodes<br/> Executive producer; 294 episodes
|-
| rowspan=2|1999
| ''[[TGIF (TV programming block)|ABC TGIF]]''
| Lewis Kiniski
| Segment: "Drew Clues 2"
|-
| ''[[The Norm Show|Norm]]''
|
| Uncredited<br/> Season 2, episode 8: "Gambling Man"
|-
| rowspan=2|2000
| data-sort-value="Cartoon Cartoon Show, The" | ''[[What a Cartoon!#The Cartoon Cartoon Show|The Cartoon Cartoon Show]]''
| Vivian
| Voice<br/> Episode: "Foe Paws"
|-
| ''[[Buzz Lightyear of Star Command]]''
| Professor Spyro Lepton / Von Madman
| Voice<br/> Episode 37: "Eye of the Tempest"
|-
| rowspan=3|2001
| ''[[Hollywood Squares]]''
| Himself / Panelist
| 10 episodes
|-
|-
| ''Improv All Stars''
| Himself
| TV special
|-
| ''[[Dharma & Greg]]''
| Abraham Lincoln
| Uncredited<br/> Season 4, episode 10: "Dutch Treat"
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Rugrats]]''
| Ralph
| Voice<br/> Season 8, episode 4: "Bow Wow Wedding Vows"
|-
| 2004–2015
| ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''
| ''[[Two and a Half Men]]''
| Dr. Herb Melnick
| Dr. Herb Melnick
| Recurring role; 30 episodes, Seasons 2, 4–10, 12
| guest role in one Season 2 episode,<br />recurring from Season 4 onwards
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Reno 911!]]''
| Sergeant Clift
| Season 5, episode 15: "Undercover Acting Coach"
|-
| rowspan=2|2009
| ''Memory Lanes''
| Ryan Murray
| TV movie<br/> Writer<br/> Producer
|-
| ''Bless This Mess''
| Paul
| TV movie
|-
| rowspan=2|2011
| ''[[Working Class (TV series)|Working Class]]''
| Dr. Edwin Gould DDS
| Episode 2: "Dental Claims"
|-
| ''[[Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza]]''
| Himself
| Recurring performer, 34 episodes<br/> Producer; 7 episodes
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Are You There, Chelsea?]]''
| Jerry
| Episode 9: "Fired"
|-
| 2013
| ''Bellingham T'Nite''
| {{N/A}}
| TV short<br/> Writer<br/> Director<br/> Executive producer
|-
| 2019
| ''[[American Housewife (TV series)|American Housewife]]''
| Bill Doty
| Season 4, episode 3: "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems"
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Young Sheldon]]''
| Dr. Bowers
| Season 3, episode 20: "A Baby Tooth and the Egyptian God of Knowledge"
|-
|2023
| ''[[Ted Lasso]]''
| Bruce (voice)
| Season 3, episode 10: "International Break"
|}
|}


===Commercials===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Commercials
! colspan=4 style="background:#B0C4DE;" | Commercials
|-
|-
! Year
! Year
Line 139: Line 305:
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|-
| 1991
| 1994 || Nike || Organ Player || commercials pleading for the end of the 94/95 MLB strike
| [[Chrysler]]
| Miming Pitchman
| New Yorker Fifth Avenue, in comparison to the Cadillac DeVille
|-
|-
| 1993
| 1998 || KFC || "Famous Actor" || commercial for New Hot 'N' Spicy Chicken
| [[Kellogg's]]
| Himself
| All-Bran
|-
|-
| 1994
| 2001 || Kinko's || "Kenny" || various
| [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]
| Organ Player
| Pleading for the end of the 94/95 MLB strike
|-
|-
| rowspan=2|1998
| 2004 || Progressive Automotive Insurance || Himself ||various
| [[KFC]]
| "Famous Actor"
| New Hot 'N' Spicy Chicken
|-
|-
| [[Kwik Save]]
| 2005 || Pizza Hut || unknown || various
| Customer
| Kwik Save Hotline
|-
|-
| 2001
| 2007 || Playskool || unknown || various
| [[FedEx Office|Kinko's]]
| "Kenny"
| Various
|-
| 2004
| Progressive Automotive Insurance
| Himself
| Various
|-
| 2005
| [[Pizza Hut]]
| Himself
| Various
|-
| 2007
| [[Playskool]]
| Professional
| Various
|-
| 2011
| [[Zaxby's]]
| Himself
| Birthday cake milkshake
|}
|}


== References ==
== References ==

{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{commons category}}
{{Commons category|Ryan Stiles}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0830198|name=Ryan Stiles}}

* {{imdb name|id=0830198}}
* [http://www.ryan-stiles.net Ryan Stiles Net] Fansite
* [http://www.wchstv.com/abc/whoselineisit/ryanstiles.html Ryan Stiles biography]


{{WLIIA}}
{{WLIIA}}


{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata

|NAME= Stiles, Ryan
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Stiles, Ryan
|SHORT DESCRIPTION=actor, [[comedian]]
|DATE OF BIRTH= April 22, 1959
|PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Seattle, Washington]], U.S.
|DATE OF DEATH=
|PLACE OF DEATH=
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stiles, Ryan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stiles, Ryan}}
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
[[Category:American comedians]]
[[Category:Canadian expatriate actors in the United States]]
[[Category:American people of Canadian descent]]
[[Category:American film actors]]
[[Category:American television actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Bellingham, Washington]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]

[[Category:20th-century Canadian comedians]]
[[de:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[es:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[fr:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:21st-century Canadian comedians]]
[[hu:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Canada]]
[[no:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:American impressionists (entertainers)]]
[[pl:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[sv:Ryan Stiles]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:Canadian impressionists (entertainers)]]
[[Category:Canadian male comedians]]
[[Category:Canadian male voice actors]]
[[Category:Canadian stand-up comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Vancouver]]
[[Category:Male actors from Vancouver]]
[[Category:People from Richmond, British Columbia]]
[[Category:Comedians from Seattle]]

Latest revision as of 11:44, 18 December 2024

Ryan Stiles
Stiles in November 2008
Birth nameRyan Lee Stiles
Born (1959-04-22) April 22, 1959 (age 65)[1]
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
MediumStand up, television, film
Nationality
  • American
  • Canadian
Years active1985–present
GenresImprovisational comedy
Spouse
Patricia McDonald
​
(m. 1988)​
Children3
Notable works and roles

Ryan Lee Stiles (born April 22, 1959) is an American-Canadian comedian and actor. His work is often associated with improvisational comedy. He is best known for his work on Whose Line Is It Anyway? (both the original British version and the subsequent American version) and for his role as Lewis Kiniski on The Drew Carey Show. He also played Herb Melnick on the CBS comedy Two and a Half Men and was a performer on the show Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza.

Early life and career

[edit]

The youngest of five children, Ryan Stiles was born in Seattle to Canadian parents Irene and Sonny Stiles.[1][2] He grew up with his mother, a homemaker, and his father, a supervisor at a Vancouver-based Canadian fish processing plant. When he was ten, his family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. Ryan Stiles attended R.C. Palmer Junior Secondary School and Richmond Senior Secondary in Richmond, British Columbia. Although he was a good student, Stiles has admitted that "being a high-school senior gave [him] too much freedom." He got so carried away with his flexible schedule that at age 17, he quit school a few months shy of graduation.

Despite his parents' objections, he was able to support himself doing stand-up routines at clubs near his home in Vancouver. He helped Rich Elwood start Punchlines Comedy Club. During this time, he was the head writer of The Don Harron Show on CTV and the host of Comedy College on CBC. Stiles was a regular improv performer with the Vancouver Theatresports League and Punchlines' "No Name Player" before joining the Second City comedy ensemble at Expo 86. He continued performing with Second City in Toronto and later in Los Angeles.

Career

[edit]

Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Drew Carey Show

[edit]

By 1989, Stiles 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 its end in 1998. His performance on the program earned him both critical praise and a devoted fan following in the United Kingdom. In 1995, Stiles was asked by American comic Drew Carey to be a regular on his sitcom The Drew Carey Show. Stiles played Carey's erudite but underachieving best friend, Lewis Kiniski.

In 1998, Carey successfully lobbied ABC to produce an American version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? Following the final season of the British version in 1998, the American version premiered, with both Stiles and Carey credited as executive producers. Stiles received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program in 2002 for his work on the show.[3] A running gag of the show is Stiles' flashy dress shoes as well as his frequent impressions of American actress Carol Channing.

Though he never appeared in the series, Stiles (along with Kaitlin Olson) performed in the taping of the unaired pilot episode of Drew Carey's Green Screen Show, which involved improv games similar to Whose Line? games played in front of a massive green screen. Animation was later added to the improv footage.

Stiles returned as performer and executive producer for The CW's revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in the summer of 2013.[4][5]

Other television and film work

[edit]

Stiles appeared in the 1991 film Hot Shots! as Mailman Farnham and its 1993 sequel, Hot Shots! Part Deux, as marine Rabinowitz. He portrayed recurring character Dr. Herb Melnick on Two and a Half Men from 2004 until the show's end in 2015. He made short guest appearances on Parker Lewis Can't Lose, Murphy Brown, Mad About You, Mad TV, and Dharma & Greg. In July 2008, he was a guest star on Reno 911! as Sergeant Clift, an acting coach.

During the 1994 Major League Baseball strike, Stiles appeared in several commercials for Nike, hanging out in an empty ballpark, doing things such as playing the organ and attempting to do the wave alone. The commercials ended with the line: "Play ball. Please."

In 2005, Stiles appeared in the mockumentary Conker: Celebrity Squirrel produced for the promotion of the Xbox video game Conker: Live & Reloaded.[6] This role led to gamers voting to induct him into the 2015 class of the DK Vine Hall of Fame.[7]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Stiles has been a frequent fundraiser for children with burn injuries, raising over $500,000 for the Burned Children Recovery Center since 2009 and helping the foundation to recover from the Great Recession.[8]

Personal life

[edit]

In 1981, Stiles met Patricia McDonald at Punchlines, where she was a waitress. They married in 1988 and have three children together.[9]

When not working, he lives at his home on Lake Samish, outside Bellingham, Washington,[10] where he opened the Upfront Theatre, a small theatre dedicated to live improv comedy.[11]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1985 Rainbow War Short film
1991 Hot Shots! Dominic "Mailman" Farnham
Public Enemy #2 Sidewalk Santa
1993 Hot Shots! Part Deux Rabinowitz
1997 Courting Courtney Chad Gross
2003 Nobody Knows Anything! Harold Uncredited
The Devil Made Me Do It The Devil Short film
2006 The Extra Clyde Short film
2009 Astro Boy Mr. Mustachio / Burning Robot Voice
2011 Spooky Buddies Hoot Voice
Direct-to-video
2012 Treasure Buddies Slither Voice
Direct-to-video

Television

[edit]
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1985 The Beachcombers Leo aka Tall Suit Season 14, episode 6: "Halibut Stu"
1986 The Hitchhiker Maker Also known as Deadly Nightmares in the United Kingdom; Le Voyageur in France
Uncredited
Season 3, episode 7: "O.D. Feelin'"
1988 110 Lombard TV movie
1989–1999 Whose Line Is It Anyway? Himself UK series, 92 episodes
1990 It's Garry Shandling's Show Kenny Tuchman / Bob #2 Season 4, episode 13: "Chester Gets a Show"
1991 Who's the Boss? Bobo the Clown Season 7, episode 20: "Party Politics"
Life As We Know It! TV movie
1991-1992 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Weather Guy / Clerk / Sweepstakes Guy 3 episodes
Uncredited - 2 episodes
1992 Say What? Actor TV movie
1993-1994 Mad About You Boss / Video Vogue Manager 2 episodes
The John Larroquette Show CIA Agent Kinkaid / Mac / Dave 3 episodes
1994 Weird Science Dale Griffin Season 2, episode 13: "Unplugged"
L.A.X. 2194 TV pilot
1995–2004 The Drew Carey Show Lewis Kiniski Main role; 231 episodes
Director - Season 5, episode 23: "Kate vs. Speedy"
1996 Saturday Night Special — Creative consultant
1997 Murphy Brown Acolyte Monk #2 Season 9, episode 19: "Desperate Times"
1998–2006;
2013–present 		Whose Line Is It Anyway? Himself US series, 335 episodes
Executive producer; 294 episodes
1999 ABC TGIF Lewis Kiniski Segment: "Drew Clues 2"
Norm Uncredited
Season 2, episode 8: "Gambling Man"
2000 The Cartoon Cartoon Show Vivian Voice
Episode: "Foe Paws"
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Professor Spyro Lepton / Von Madman Voice
Episode 37: "Eye of the Tempest"
2001 Hollywood Squares Himself / Panelist 10 episodes
Improv All Stars Himself TV special
Dharma & Greg Abraham Lincoln Uncredited
Season 4, episode 10: "Dutch Treat"
2002 Rugrats Ralph Voice
Season 8, episode 4: "Bow Wow Wedding Vows"
2004–2015 Two and a Half Men Dr. Herb Melnick Recurring role; 30 episodes, Seasons 2, 4–10, 12
2008 Reno 911! Sergeant Clift Season 5, episode 15: "Undercover Acting Coach"
2009 Memory Lanes Ryan Murray TV movie
Writer
Producer
Bless This Mess Paul TV movie
2011 Working Class Dr. Edwin Gould DDS Episode 2: "Dental Claims"
Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza Himself Recurring performer, 34 episodes
Producer; 7 episodes
2012 Are You There, Chelsea? Jerry Episode 9: "Fired"
2013 Bellingham T'Nite — TV short
Writer
Director
Executive producer
2019 American Housewife Bill Doty Season 4, episode 3: "Bigger Kids, Bigger Problems"
2020 Young Sheldon Dr. Bowers Season 3, episode 20: "A Baby Tooth and the Egyptian God of Knowledge"
2023 Ted Lasso Bruce (voice) Season 3, episode 10: "International Break"

Commercials

[edit]
Commercials
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Chrysler Miming Pitchman New Yorker Fifth Avenue, in comparison to the Cadillac DeVille
1993 Kellogg's Himself All-Bran
1994 Nike Organ Player Pleading for the end of the 94/95 MLB strike
1998 KFC "Famous Actor" New Hot 'N' Spicy Chicken
Kwik Save Customer Kwik Save Hotline
2001 Kinko's "Kenny" Various
2004 Progressive Automotive Insurance Himself Various
2005 Pizza Hut Himself Various
2007 Playskool Professional Various
2011 Zaxby's Himself Birthday cake milkshake

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Ryan Stiles". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
  2. ^ Tracy, Kathleen (1997). Home Brewed: The Drew Carey Story. Boulevard. p. 97. ISBN 9781572973619.
  3. ^ "Whose Line Is It Anyway?". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  4. ^ "Whose Line Is It Anyway? Returns to Television as Part of The CW's Summer 2013 Schedule" (Press release). The CW. March 1, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2021 – via The Futon Critic.
  5. ^ Nellie Andreeva (March 1, 2013). "CW Brings Back Whose Line Is It Anyway? For Summer Run, Aisha Tyler To Host". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 25, 2021.
  6. ^ Conker: Celebrity Squirrel. November 9, 2006. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2015 – via YouTube.
  7. ^ DK Vine Hall of Fame 2015 (Part Five). August 10, 2015. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2015 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Burned Children Recovery Foundation". Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  9. ^ Spalding, Derek (May 8, 2008). "Iconic actor likes to stay close to home". Nanaimo Daily News. CanWest. Archived from the original on March 26, 2014. Retrieved June 22, 2012.
  10. ^ Bryan, Saint (March 24, 2006). "Ryan Stiles, back home again". Evening Magazine. Seattle: KING-TV. Archived from the original on May 26, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
  11. ^ Chant, Ian (June 2006). "Shooting From the Hip – Upfront Theatre Improv mixes it up". Bellingham, Washington: What's Up magazine. Retrieved July 27, 2008.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ryan Stiles.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Ryan_Stiles&oldid=1263748952"