Ruth Codd – Age, Amputation Story and Acting Career in 2025
Ruth Codd is an Irish actress who has captured public attention not only for her roles in Netflix series like The Midnight Club but also for her remarkably candid medical journey. She lost both legs below the knee following complications from an injury sustained at age 15, and her story is often misunderstood as a sudden accident when it was actually a long, painful process that ended in two separate amputations.
Codd, born in Wexford, Ireland, on 13 June 1996, began her career as a make-up artist and barber before amassing a large TikTok following. Her transition from social media to professional acting—without any prior training—is one of the more unusual paths in recent Hollywood history. But it is her openness about disability that has made her a respected voice within the community.
In 2025, Codd made her feature film debut in the live‑action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, playing a Viking with a limb difference. Her casting marks a significant step for visibly disabled actors in major studio franchises.
What Happened to Ruth Codd? The Medical Story Explained
29 (born 13 June 1996)
Wexford, Ireland
Anya in The Midnight Club (Netflix)
Phlegma Fierce in How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
- Ruth Codd’s medical story is often misattributed as a sudden accident; it was actually a prolonged complication from a broken leg sustained at age 15.
- She lived with eight years of chronic pain, nerve damage, and frequent hospital visits before choosing amputation.
- Codd underwent her first below‑knee amputation at age 23 and her second in 2025, largely due to further damage caused by crutch use.
- She is one of the few visibly disabled actresses leading genre fiction (horror/fantasy) on Netflix.
- Her casting in the live‑action How to Train Your Dragon marks a major leap from streaming horror to a major studio franchise.
- Codd regularly addresses the misconception that her amputations were a “choice” made without medical necessity.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth Date | 13 June 1996 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 29 |
| Birthplace | Wexford, Ireland |
| Known Role | Anya in The Midnight Club |
| Disability Onset | Age 15 foot injury while playing football |
| First Amputation | Right leg below knee at age 23 (elective) |
| Second Amputation | Left leg below knee in 2025 |
| Notable 2025 Project | How to Train Your Dragon (Phlegma Fierce) |
| TikTok Followers | Over 672,000 |
| Professional Background | Make‑up artist and barber |
Ruth Codd Movies and TV Shows: Her Acting Career
How Did Ruth Codd Become an Actress?
Codd had no professional acting experience before being cast. She was discovered by the casting team for The Midnight Club through her TikTok videos. After being cast, she deleted her account.
What Is Ruth Codd’s Role in The Midnight Club?
She played Anya, a teenage girl with a terminal illness, in the Netflix mystery thriller series that premiered in October 2022. The series received positive reviews.
Is Ruth Codd in How to Train Your Dragon?
Yes. In 2025, she made her feature film debut as Phlegma Fierce, a Viking with a limb difference, in the live‑action adaptation. She described the character as “strong, capable.”
Codd also appeared in Mike Flanagan’s The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) as Juno Usher, and in the Irish comedy‑drama The Dry (2024) as Bibi. She was a contestant on Celebrity Traitors (2025), where she accurately suspected Jonathan Ross.
How Old Is Ruth Codd? Age and Background
Where Is Ruth Codd From?
She was born and raised in Wexford, Ireland, and still has family there. She returned to Wexford to recover after her second amputation.
What Is Ruth Codd’s Date of Birth?
13 June 1996, making her 29 years old as of 2025.
Before acting, Codd worked as a professional make‑up artist and barber. She built a large TikTok following (over 672,000 followers and 20.5 million likes) with content that ranged from comedy to disability awareness.
Timeline of Ruth Codd’s Life and Key Events
- 1996 – Born in Wexford, Ireland.
- 2011 (age 15) – Injured foot while playing football; the injury never healed properly.
- 2011–2019 – Underwent eight operations; experienced chronic pain, nerve damage, and frequent hospital stays.
- 2019 (age 23) – Elected to have her right leg amputated below the knee.
- 2022 – Cast as Anya in The Midnight Club (Netflix); series premieres in October.
- 2023 – Plays Juno Usher in The Fall of the House of Usher.
- 2024 – Guest role as Bibi in The Dry.
- 2025 – Second amputation (left leg below knee); appears in Celebrity Traitors; feature film debut in How to Train Your Dragon.
What We Know and What Remains Unclear About Codd’s Medical History
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| The injury occurred at age 15 while kicking a football. | Exact dates of each amputation are not universally reported. |
| First amputation (right leg) at age 23 was described as “elective” to improve quality of life. | The specific medical terminology for the reason behind the right leg amputation varies across sources (“elective” vs “necessary to prevent further complications”). |
| Second amputation (left leg) in 2025 was due to continued complications from the original injury and crutch use. | The exact hospital or medical facility where the surgeries took place has not been publicly disclosed. |
What Does Ruth Codd’s Story Mean for Disability Representation?
Codd’s narrative sits at the intersection of “TikTok‑to‑mainstream” talent discovery and disability representation in Hollywood. Her openness about her medical journey has made her a respected voice within the disability community, challenging how Hollywood typically casts disabled roles—often defaulting to able‑bodied actors in prosthetics.
By playing a Viking with a limb difference in a major franchise, she is helping normalize visible disability in roles that are not defined by it.
Where Does Ruth Codd Tell Her Story?
Codd has shared her personal account in a long‑form YouTube interview. Her Wikipedia entry provides basic biographical data and filmography on Wikipedia. An earlier profile on Hhush UK mentions that she underwent eight operations. Her IMDB page on IMDB lists all known credits. She is active on Instagram (@ruthcodd), where she posts about her career and advocacy. Additional coverage from the BBC and the Irish Examiner provides further context on her medical journey and career.
“Surgeons do not remove limbs willy‑nilly.”
— Ruth Codd, in a YouTube interview, explaining that her amputation was medically necessary.
“I’m proud to play a strong, capable character.”
— Ruth Codd, on her role Phlegma Fierce in How to Train Your Dragon.
Ruth Codd: A Rising Star with a Powerful Story
From a broken leg at 15 to bilateral amputations and a Netflix career, Ruth Codd’s journey is one of resilience and transparency. She continues to break down barriers for disabled actors in Hollywood while advocating for a more accurate understanding of what it means to live with amputation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ruth Codd break her leg?
She broke her left leg at age 15 in an accident while kicking a football with friends. The injury did not heal properly and led to years of complications.
Is Ruth Codd in a wheelchair?
She uses a wheelchair for mobility but is also frequently seen using prosthetics or walking in social settings.
Does Ruth Codd have a partner?
As of 2025, Codd has not publicly discussed a partner. She primarily shares career updates on social media.
What is Ruth Codd’s net worth?
Net worth figures are not publicly verified. Estimates range from $500k–$1M based on her Netflix credits and social media influence.
What is Ruth Codd’s Instagram handle?
Her handle is @ruthcodd.
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