By the time they met in 1995, Drew Carey and Ryan Stiles were already stars in the comedy world. Born a year apart, the comedians started their careers around the same time. As young performers, both played the stand-up circuits, Carey in Cleveland and Los Angeles, Stiles in comedy clubs near his home in Vancouver.
The Rise Of Drew Carey
Drew made his mark on Star Search in 1988, making the nation sit up and take notice of the new kid on the block.
A subsequent performance on The Tonight Show led to an invitation to appear as a guest on Johnny Carson's couch, a huge honor which cemented his status in the world of comedy entertainment.
Ryan Stiles Hit The Big Time In The UK
Meanwhile, Ryan Stiles was making his mark in the UK. On discovering that he could earn a living from stand-up, he had dropped out of high school to perform improvisation in the Vancouver TheatreSports League. It was at one of the performances with the ensemble that he was noticed by the producers of a British comedy show, Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Ryan jumped at their invitation to join the cast, and became a popular member of the team, spending ten years on the series until it ended in 1999.
How Did Drew Carey And Ryan Stiles Meet?
Drew was an avid fan of the British show, and particularly loved Stiles’ deadpan performances. Following his on-screen success on The Good Life, and work as a writer on Someone Like Me, he had developed his own sitcom, The Drew Carey Show. As soon as he knew he had a slot, he invited Ryan to play the unforgettable character of janitor Lewis Kiniski.
Fans loved the show, and especially enjoyed the Canadian-American's comedy style. Plus, there was a connection to Whose Line. The janitor’s first appearance began with the line, "…and that's why the French don't wash," which came directly from an episode of the original British show.
Before long, the two became firm friends, working together on all 213 episodes of Carey’s award-winning show. When Whose Line ended on British TV in 1999, Drew pitched an American version to ABC, and Drew and Ryan were delighted when the show began its run on the channel in 1998, with the two comedians credited as executive producers.
American Audiences Loved "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
The show was an instant hit in the US. Viewers loved watching teams of quick-thinking actors who came up with entertaining skits in an unscripted format.
In many of the episodes of Whose Line Drew and Ryan often made references to their other work together. Their close working relationship was evident, and both actors loved working on the show, which sometimes also touched on serious subjects, including the time it got shockingly real about racism.
Despite winning the 2003 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program, the original run of the show ended 4 years later. Ryan went on to participate in Drew’s alternative improv show, Drew Carey’s Improv-A-Ganza, which saw 40 episodes airing on the Game Show Network before it too was canned.
Drew Carey And Ryan Stiles Stopped Working Together
In the meantime, pressure from disgruntled fans saw ABC Scheduling a revival of Whose Line in 2013. Ryan returned as a performer and executive producer, but by that time Drew was no longer available, and the show is now hosted by Aisha Tyler, a decision not popular with all the fans.
Drew Carey Caught A Big Break
Drew is currently hosting The Price Is Right, which has seen him become one of the top-earning Game Show Hosts in history.
Today, the former stand-up comedian is the richest game host out there, worth a whopping $165 million.
What Happened To Ryan Stiles?
Although Ryan's net worth pales, by comparison, he’s certainly no slouch in the salary stakes. One of the top earners on Whose Line, other work like his 10-year stint as Dr. Herb Melnick on Two and a Half Men, Nike commercials, and his improv theater, The Upfront, have led to a sizable fortune. And with Whose Line Is It Anyway now in its 18th season, his income is set to rise. Currently, he is worth $8 Million.
The staggering difference between their earnings doesn't mean the two have any bad blood. Although they are not as close as they once were, the former colleagues have comforted each other when they have faced personal tragedies. Clearly, their friendship lasted through the years.
Drew Carey And Ryan Stiles Remain Friends
In 2020, just days after Drew received a call from his ex-fiancee Amie Harwick, she was brutally murdered. Despite splitting up two years earlier, the two had still been on good terms, and the circumstances around her death left the game show host shaken.
There is talk of a potential death penalty decision in the case, meaning it is clearly not yet closed for Amie's loved ones. Fortunately, Carey had good friends around when it came to dealing with the tragedy.
In 2021, Ryan received the shocking news that his daughter had been diagnosed with cancer. Despite the challenges the family faced, he recently took to Twitter and Instagram, where he posted the good news that she is cancer-free.
No doubt Drew was close by for his friend during those trying times, too.
