Ruby Wax, 71, Tells Paloma Faith She’ll Be a Death Doula Amid Reflections on Mortality and Alan Rickman’s Death

Ruby Wax revealed she’s taking a course in order to become a death doula during an appearance on Paloma Faith’s Mad Sad Bad podcast.

The American comic, 71, has been candid about preparing for death in recent years, even admitting that the prospect of dying is her ‘biggest fear’.

‘I think about death at least four times a day and hundreds of times around my birthdays,’ she wrote a few years ago in Huffpost. 

‘At New Year’s Eve I’m already writing my epitaph. While everyone around me is popping balloons, I’m thinking I’m one year closer to the end.’ 

Ruby has now opened up on mortality once again, making the revelation that she’s planning on becoming a death doula. 

Ruby Wax, 71, revealed she is taking a course in order to become a death doula during an appearance on Paloma Faith’s Mad Sad Bad podcast

The comedian has been candid about preparing for death in recent years, even admitting that the prospect of dying is her ‘biggest fear’ 

An end of life doula – or a death doula – is a ‘compassionate, trained companion who supports individuals with terminal diagnosis and those close to them’. 

Offering practical and emotional support, many aspiring doulas undergo rigorous training in order to carry out their duties successfully. 

Ruby is planning on beginning her training in September. She told Paloma, 43, on the Brit singer’s podcast this week: ‘When was I last sad? Well I think there’s a level of sadness all the time because I’m really aware we’re going to die.’

Paloma asked: ‘Because the world’s going to end or because we’re mortal?’, to which the 71-year-old quipped: ‘Because I’m mortal. 

‘I think about it all the time. In September I’ve made a reservation – I’m going to become a death doula. 

‘Yeah, I’m going on a course. First of all, I’m interested in who else is going to be on my course, you know. So, I do a week (of the course) in September.’

Over the years the comedian has been very open about both the prospect of death and her struggles with mental health. 

Ruby has battled depression, and in 2022 admitted that her mental illness had become ‘so severe that it’s hard to stay alive’.

Ruby revealed that she will be undergoing a course in September in order to become a death doula

She also opened up about sadness, saying that she ‘doesn’t cry’. ‘I’m an example of numbness,’ she said: ‘I don’t feel anything’

But speaking to Paloma, the 71-year-old affirmed that she’s ‘numb’ and hasn’t cried in years.

‘I’m an example of numbness,’ she said: ‘I don’t feel anything. 

‘I don’t cry, you can never make me cry. But also I don’t throw my head back screaming with laughter. Well, sometimes it cuts through and if someone that I knew died it would probably cut through.’

Paloma then asked the American when the last time she cried was, to which she replied: ‘When Alan Rickman died (in 2016). 

‘I thought he had a heart problem, so I was telling people to get him a heart specialist. But his partner said, “No, he’s dying”.

‘And when I heard that I burst, I ran in there and I threw myself on him. I was like an animal, it was wild. 

‘Another time when my son was leaving for school (University) I turned into a howling animal. I was on all fours howling and he was only going to Southampton, because I knew metaphorically he was gone. I feel like everything’s goodbye.’

Ruby revealed that the last time she cried was when her good friend Alan Rickman died in 2016 (the pair pictured in 2011)

Ruby credits Alan with turning her into a comedian (pictured in 2001)

Reflecting on her friendship with Alan Rickman – who played Severus Snape in Harry Potter and died of cancer in 2016 – Ruby remembered the advice he gave her. 

‘When I used to do comedy and I was trying to please, he used to say “Pull it back. Make people come to you”.

‘It took a long time but now after 30 years I don’t look like I’m hungry on stage. I do have an ego though and I want to be liked by large groups of people.’ 

Indeed, in an exclusive interview with MailOnline in 2021, Ruby actually credited her good friend Alan with ‘turning her into a comedian’.

She said: ‘He was hilarious. He was my mentor and he taught me how to do comedy. I would say he saved me. 

Alan Rickman became a much-loved actor thanks to parts such as Severus Snape on Harry Potter. The actor died in 2016 after a secret battle with pancreatic cancer

‘He took a c*** actress and then turned her into a comedian against all odds. He was my protector’.

Alan died in January 2016 after battling pancreatic cancer in private. Ruby was only made aware of his illness two weeks before his death.  

The comedian paid tribute to him, saying: ‘All of his friends would say he was the most generous man. I mean, I meet kids now and they say “Alan sent me to drama school and I never even met him”. He took a lot of people under his wing – that’s real generosity.’

Following Alan’s death, Ruby has been a vocal advocate and fundraiser for Pancreatic Cancer UK.