Chris Ryan

Comedian & MC

Chris Ryan’s comedy is fuelled by dry wit, razor-sharp observations, and a refreshingly relatable brand of cynicism. With a style that’s more about uncomfortable truths than belly laughs, she’s built a reputation for calling out the hilarious absurdities of everyday life with biting honesty and no-frills delivery.

Since being named Best Newcomer at the 2019 Sydney Comedy Festival, Chris’s rise has been fast and furious. Her debut show Big Hair, Big Dreams earned her a Best Newcomer nomination at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2021, solidifying her place as one of Australia’s most distinctive new comedic voices.

Chris’s laconic takes on everything from romance to passive-aggressive co-workers have earned her spots on some of Australia’s biggest comedy stages. She’s appeared on the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala (CH10, 2019), Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Oxfam Gala (ABC & iView, 2022), Just For Laughs Australia (CH10, 2022), and the Melbourne Comedy Festival All Stars Gala (ABC, 2023). She’s also graced the stages of the Canberra Comedy Festival Gala, Floriade NightFest, and TEDx Canberra.

Chris followed up her debut with a string of successful solo tours: Can’t Complain (2022), Busy (2023), and Good-O (2024), all to sold-out audiences and rave reviews. Her growing popularity led to her being personally invited to support comedy legends Judith Lucy and Kaz Cooke on their national tour, Kaz & Jude’s Menopausal Night Out.

She’s also released two full-length comedy specials: Big Hair, Big Dreams (2021), filmed in Canberra with the support of the ACT Government’s Homefront Grant, and Busy (2023), released on YouTube. A third special is currently in development.

Chris’s reach extends beyond the stage. She’s performed for Australian troops in the Middle East, toured nationally with the Sydney Comedy Festival Showcase and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow, and appeared with Grapes of Mirth. She’s also hosted major events such as the RSL & Services Clubs National Conference (2021), the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards (2020 & 2024), and the Winter Ball at Parliament House (2024).

Following a viral Instagram riff about MECCA, Chris was invited to perform at a company function for the brand—just one of many corporate gigs that highlight her broad appeal and versatility.

On screen, Chris has appeared on The Project (CH10), SBS’s Letters & Numbers (2023), and was cast in the ABC TV series Austin (2024). She also featured in a 2024 campaign for ActewAGL.

A familiar voice on the airwaves, Chris is a regular guest on ABC Radio Canberra, ABC Radio Sydney’s Thank God It’s Friday, ABC RN’s Life Matters Ask Aunty segment, and ABC Radio Melbourne’s Contemporary Conundrum. She previously co-hosted a breakfast show on Canberra’s 2XXFM.

Chris has also been featured on top Australian podcasts including WILOSOPHY, Confessions, Picture Discuss (Merrick Watts), and The Saturday Paper Quiz (2024).

Not one to sit still, Chris taught herself animation software during the 2020 lockdowns and created Chats with Mum, a six-part online comedy series featuring candid, often outrageous chats with her mother, Wendy Ryan. A second season followed in 2021, both available on her YouTube channel.

Chris Ryan is fast becoming a household name in Australian comedy. Grounded, sardonic, and effortlessly funny, she delivers comedy that cuts through the noise. If you’re looking for glitter, gimmicks, or jazz hands—you won’t find them here. Just brutally funny, no-nonsense stand-up from a voice that says what everyone’s thinking (but wouldn’t dare say out loud).

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