Ruby Wax (born Ruby Wachs April 19, 1953) is an American actress, mental health campaigner, lecturer, and author who holds both American and British citizenship.
A classically trained actress, Wax came to prominence as a comic interviewer, playing up to British perceptions of the strident American style, which she replicated in the TV sitcom Girls on Top. She also appeared in Absolutely Fabulous, where she doubled as script editor. Her memoirs, How Do You Want Me?, reached the Sunday Times best-seller list.
Wax pursued a distinguished academic career, graduating in psychology at the University of California, Berkeley and gaining a master’s degree in mindfulness-based cognitive therapy from Oxford University. Wax is currently a Visiting Professor in Mental Health Nursing at the University of Surrey.