Ryan is a Canadian who knew pretty early on that comedy was his calling. As a teen in Vancouver, British Columbia, he performed stand-up regularly at clubs and eventually became a member of the famed Second City comedy group. Adding to his international fame, Ryan was a cast member of the British version of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" before starring in the U.S. version of the series.

The character of Lewis is a pretty far cry from Ryan's real life. While Lewis can't seem to get a date, or (sometimes) a life, Ryan is happily married and the father of two.