Ryan Knowles (born December 12, 1978, in California) is an American actor, singer, comedian, writer, television host, speech coach and motivational speaker.

Knowles wrote and performed his solo show "DIG & BE DUG: The Gospel of Lord Buckley" for the Planet Connections Theatre Festival in Summer 2010.

Knowles appeared in the New York premiere of the new mystery Hound portraying Sherlock Holmes, a role which won him the award for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor[9] at the Planet Connections Theatre Festival.

In 2005, he starred as "Nick Bottom" for over a year of performances at the Manhattan Ensemble Theatre in Soho in the hit 1950's-style musical version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, Fools In Love.

Knowles originated the role of "Buddy," a lovable stoner in the vein of Cheech & Chong; a cross between Hans Solo and Willie Nelson, a Bohemian Rebel Leader, for the wonderfully silly, futuristic rock saga.

In winter 2009, Knowles toured the country in Todrick Hall's Oz the Musical as "Brenda," the "Wicked Witch of the West Side," alongside Vonzell Solomon of American Idol, Aundrea Fimbres of Danity Kane, and Orlando Brown of Disney's That's So Raven.

What’s most striking is his vocal versatility: He can go down to chthonic depths when playing a centaur, for instance, yet for Hades, he models his grandiosely arch line readings after Paul Lynde’s.

His remarkable range of intricately-layered personas were fascinating to watch unfold and were always perfectly balanced on the edge of ridiculous and delightful, for adults and kids alike.

[15] Tim Smith wrote in the Baltimore Sun: "Ryan Knowles steals the show time and again with his comic sparks as Buddy, a fuzzy-headed Bohemian.

"[19] Jason Clark writes in Slant Magazine, "Playing the titular self-created deity with a cheeky, pervy, party-boy hauteur, not unlike Cabaret's furtive Emcee, the brave, highly attention-catching Ryan Knowles lords over a most unruly evening.

"[20] Lauren Wissot writes on TheatreOnline.com, "The Mick Jagger-resembling Ryan Knowles [is] a charismatic performer who has both played villains and done time as a Nickelodeon TV show host...[He] is one big, punk rock smackdown answer to sissy hippie 'Hair.

His thundering voice, relentless moue-making, and mammoth charisma are a cartoony cocktail of Jim Carrey and Snagglepuss, with a little speed thrown in.” Barbara and Scott Siegel wrote Theatermania.com: "Ryan Knowles is simply a dynamo of talent as Bottom; a combination of a young Peter O'Toole and Jim Carrey, he can seemingly do anything with his voice and his body...[A performer] so electric that you know you are catching [a] future star early in [his] career.

"[23] Mark Dundas Wood wrote in Backstage: “You’ll have to stop to applaud the gifted Ryan Knowles, perhaps the lankiest actor ever to play the role of Bottom.