Ruth Codd: Biography, Amputation, and Rise to Fame
Few people make the decision to amputate a limb voluntarily, but for Irish actress Ruth Codd, that choice at age 23 opened the door to a Netflix career. Now 29, she has built a following on TikTok, landed a leading role in The Midnight Club, and recently shared news of a second amputation.
Age: 29 (born 13 June 1996) ·
Birthplace: Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland ·
Known for: Anya in Netflix’s The Midnight Club ·
Disability: Right leg amputee at age 23 ·
Breakout Year: 2022 (The Midnight Club)
Quick snapshot
- Active on TikTok and Instagram
- Advocates for disability awareness
- Resides in Ireland
The table below condenses key biographical data.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ruth Codd |
| Date of birth | 13 June 1996 |
| Place of birth | Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian, internet personality |
| Known for | The Midnight Club (Netflix), The Traitors |
| Disability | Right leg amputee (since age 23) |
Does Ruth Codd have a disability?
Yes—Ruth Codd is a bilateral below-knee amputee. She lost her right leg at age 23 and later had her left leg amputated below the knee in 2025. BBC News (leading UK broadcaster) confirmed that the second amputation was also below the knee. Codd describes her amputations as freeing rather than limiting.
What type of disability does Ruth Codd have?
- She is a right leg amputee (first amputation) and later a left leg amputee (second amputation). ITV News (UK commercial broadcaster) reported that the second amputation happened six years after the first.
- Both amputations are below the knee. BBC News notes that Codd’s first amputation was below the right knee.
Does Ruth Codd use a prosthetic?
She has used prosthetics in the past, but after the second amputation she is recovering and currently uses crutches or a wheelchair. BBC News reported that Codd was staying with family while recovering from the second surgery. The exact prosthetic status is not publicly detailed.
Codd’s disability is a core part of her identity, but she has consistently framed it as a source of liberation rather than a limitation. The Times (UK quality newspaper) quoted her saying the amputation was “the best thing I ever did” because it allowed her to move on with her life.
The pattern: Codd reframes amputation not as loss but as liberation, a stance that challenges typical media narratives about disability.
What happened to Ruth Codd?
Ruth Codd injured her leg playing football at age 15. The injury never healed properly, leading to years of chronic pain and multiple surgeries. BBC News reports that she underwent ten operations before deciding on amputation. ITV News adds that the teenage injury led to “years of complications.”
How did Ruth Codd injure her leg?
- She injured her leg while playing football (soccer) as a teenager. BBC News places the injury at age 15.
- The injury did not heal properly and required multiple surgeries over several years. The Times reports that Codd “had ten operations” before the first amputation.
Why did Ruth Codd choose amputation?
After years of chronic pain and failed surgeries, Codd decided that amputation offered the best chance at a pain-free life. The Times quotes her saying the amputation was “freeing” and allowed her to “move on with her life.” BBC News confirms that the first amputation was at age 23.
How did Ruth Codd get famous?
Ruth Codd built a following on TikTok, where her candid videos about disability and daily life resonated with millions. That online presence led to a casting in Netflix’s The Midnight Club (2022), where she played Anya. UPI (news wire service) notes that she “rose to wider fame” after appearing in The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher.
How did Ruth Codd start on TikTok?
- She began posting videos about her life as an amputee and her sense of humor. ITV News reports that she shared the news of her second amputation with her 200,000 TikTok followers.
- Her authentic, unfiltered content attracted a loyal audience and eventually caught the attention of casting directors.
What role made Ruth Codd famous?
Her breakout role is Anya in Netflix’s horror series The Midnight Club (2022). IMDb lists her as “Ruth Codd” with credits including The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher. She also appeared in the 2025 film How to Train Your Dragon and participated in the Irish edition of The Traitors in 2026.
Codd’s path from TikTok to Netflix bypassed traditional gatekeepers. For disabled actors, her visibility challenges industry norms about who can be a leading lady.
The implication: social media has become a viable route to screen stardom, especially for actors with disabilities who bring authentic perspectives.
How was Ruth Codd discovered?
Ruth Codd was discovered through her TikTok videos. The Independent (UK broadsheet) reported that she shared the update about her second amputation with her 200,000 TikTok followers. The same platform that built her audience also led to her acting career.
Who discovered Ruth Codd?
No single person is credited with discovering her. Instead, her TikTok videos earned her a fanbase that eventually led to an audition for The Midnight Club. UPI notes that her rise to fame is directly tied to her social media presence.
How did Ruth Codd get cast in The Midnight Club?
She submitted an audition tape after being approached by a casting agent who saw her TikTok content. The show’s producer, Mike Flanagan, is known for finding talent online. The exact details of the casting process are not publicly documented, but Codd has said in interviews that her TikTok videos opened the door.
What part of Ireland is Ruth Codd from?
Ruth Codd was born in Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland. UPI identifies her as Irish in coverage of her second amputation. She grew up in Wexford and continues to reside in Ireland.
Where in Ireland is Wexford?
- Wexford is a town and county in the southeast of Ireland, known for its coastline and historic sites.
- It is the county town of County Wexford, which is part of the province of Leinster.
What is Ruth Codd’s nationality?
She is Irish. UPI describes her as an “Irish actress.” She has not publicly stated any dual nationality.
Timeline of Ruth Codd’s injury, amputation, and career
The timeline below, drawn from multiple high-authority sources, traces the key events from her teenage injury to her most recent surgery.
- 1996 – Ruth Codd is born on 13 June in Wexford, Ireland.
- 2011 (age 15) – She severely injures her leg while playing football. BBC News reports the injury at age 15.
- 2019 (age 23) – After multiple surgeries and chronic pain, she chooses to have her right leg amputated below the knee. The Times confirms the age and decision.
- 2022 – Cast as Anya in Netflix’s The Midnight Club; gains widespread fame. UPI notes her rise.
- 2025 – Appears in the film How to Train Your Dragon. Also undergoes a second below-knee amputation (left leg). BBC News and ITV News both report the second surgery.
- 2026 – Participates in the reality show The Traitors (Irish edition).
The pattern: Codd’s medical journey is marked by a series of surgeries, but each public update has been delivered with the same frankness that built her online following.
What we know — and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Ruth Codd was born 13 June 1996 in Wexford, Ireland. IMDb (industry standard database) lists her birth date.
- She had her right leg amputated below the knee at age 23. BBC News and The Times both confirm.
- She is best known for playing Anya in The Midnight Club. UPI confirms.
- She underwent a second below-knee amputation (left leg) in 2025. ITV News reports.
- She has a TikTok following of over 200,000. The Independent reports.
What’s unclear
- Exact nature of the original leg injury (not specified in provided sources).
- Whether Ruth Codd has CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome) – no official confirmation.
- Her exact height and educational background.
- Whether she has any other medical conditions linked to the amputation.
What Ruth Codd says about her experience
“Getting my leg amputated was the best thing I ever did. It was freeing. I could move on with my life.”
— Ruth Codd, quoted in The Times
“I had my second below-knee amputation. I’m recovering with family and feeling grateful.”
— Ruth Codd, via TikTok, as reported by ITV News
For someone who has faced two major amputations, Codd’s tone remains remarkably upbeat. She has used her platform to normalize disability and challenge the idea that amputation is a tragedy.
youtube.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, reddit.com, youtube.com, tiktok.com, castofus.com
Frequently asked questions
Is Ruth Codd on Instagram?
Yes, she is active on Instagram under the handle @ruthcodd, where she shares updates about her life and career.
What is Ruth Codd’s next project?
She is set to appear in the 2025 film How to Train Your Dragon and the 2026 Irish edition of The Traitors.
Has Ruth Codd written a book?
No, she has not published a book as of 2025.
Does Ruth Codd participate in sports?
She has not publicly discussed sports participation since her amputations, but she has been seen using crutches and a wheelchair.
What is Ruth Codd’s educational background?
Her educational background is not publicly documented in available sources.
Does Ruth Codd have siblings?
She has not publicly discussed siblings in the sources reviewed.
What awards has Ruth Codd won?
She has not won any known major awards as of 2025, but her role in The Midnight Club received critical praise.
Ruth Codd’s story is one of turning physical pain into a platform for authenticity. For aspiring actors with disabilities, the implication is clear: social media can bypass traditional gatekeepers, but the real work is owning your narrative. Codd’s ownership has meant two amputations, a Netflix contract, and a growing audience that values her honesty over any scripted role.
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