30 Facts About Ruth Jones

Ruth Alexandra Elisabeth Jones was born on 22 September 1966 and is a Welsh actress, comedian, writer and producer.

Ruth Jones co-wrote and starred in the Sky One comedy-drama Stella, for which she was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Female Comedy Performance and won the BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Screenwriter.

Ruth Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire, in the 2014 New Year Honours, for services to entertainment.

Ruth Jones was born 22nd September, 1966 in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales.

Ruth Jones's father was a solicitor for the British Steel Corporation, Port Talbot, and her mother was a GP.

Ruth Jones has two older brothers and a younger sister.

Ruth Jones participated enthusiastically every year in musical theatre productions.

In November 1989 Ruth Jones undertook her first professional role, with Dominic Cooke's company, Pan Optic, playing Countess Almaviva in Cooke's adaptation of The Marriage of Figaro, which toured the UK for six months.

Ruth Jones considered giving up acting and instead training to be a solicitor.

In October 2018 Ruth Jones returned to the stage, after a 12-year absence, in the new play Nightingale by William Gaminara, produced by Jenny Topper at the Theatre Royal, Bath.

In Summer 2024 Ruth Jones played the role of Mother Superior in the West End production of Sister Act at the Dominion Theatre, alongside Beverley Knight, Alexandra Burke and Lizzie Bea.

Ruth Jones's first television job was an unbroadcast sketch show for BBC Wales, which included Rob Brydon and Steve Speirs.

Ruth Jones first worked in television and radio comedy for BBC Wales in 1991.

Ruth Jones appeared on television as Kelly in four series of ITV's comedy Fat Friends, where she met James Corden.

In 2008 Ruth Jones featured in two BBC One television period costume dramas, Tess of the d'Urbervilles and Little Dorrit, as well as two episodes of The Street.

In 2008 Ruth Jones co-founded Tidy Productions with producer David Peet.

In January 2018 Ruth Jones took the part of Mandy Haveez in Radio Wales comedy series Splott, written by David Peet and made by Tidy Productions.

In March 2018, Ruth Jones worked with director Debbie Isitt, appearing in the film Nativity 4.

Ruth Jones signed a two-book deal with Transworld after a bidding war between ten publishing companies.

Ruth Jones married David Peet, a television and radio producer, in 1999.

Ruth Jones is step-mother to three children from Peet's previous marriage.

In 2010, Ruth Jones took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala, a benefit show held in aid of Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital, filmed live at the O2 Arena in London on 30 March.

In January 2019, Ruth Jones was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs.

Ruth Jones's choice of Bible was a family Welsh Bible, her own book choice was Halliwell's Film Guide and her luxury item was the back catalogue of The Archers.

Ruth Jones was judged the Best Female Comedy Newcomer at the 2007 British Comedy Awards, and was nominated for Best Television Comedy Actress.

Ruth Jones was recipient of the Ultimate Funny Woman award at the annual Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women of the Year Awards in November 2009.

In July 2013, Ruth Jones received an honorary degree from the University of Warwick.

Ruth Jones was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 New Year Honours for services to entertainment.

Ruth Jones was awarded the BAFTA Cymru Sian Phillips Special Recognition Award in 2009.

In 2012, Ruth Jones received a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her performance in Stella.