Ruth Codd – Age, Disability, and Rise from TikTok to Netflix

Ruth Codd is an Irish actress who rose from a TikTok post to starring in Netflix’s The Midnight Club. Her journey also includes a long medical battle: a broken leg at age 15 led to eight operations and eventually the amputation of both legs. Today she continues acting, most recently in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon (2025), and is recognised as a prominent voice for disability representation in mainstream media.

Codd was born around 1996 in Wexford, Ireland. She first gained public attention after her first amputation, when a candid TikTok clip catapulted her to viral fame. That online presence opened doors to acting, and she made her screen debut in Mike Flanagan’s Netflix horror series.

Who Is Ruth Codd? Age, Background and Rise to Fame

Quick Facts at a Glance

Age: 28 (born 13 June 1996)
Nationality: Irish
Known For: The Midnight Club (Netflix), How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Social Media: 93K followers on Instagram

Key Insights About Ruth Codd

She gained fame through TikTok before landing a role in Netflix’s The Midnight Club.
Her leg amputation story is often misrepresented; both legs were amputated after a broken leg at age 15 failed to heal.
She speaks openly about her experience and has become a symbol of disability representation in mainstream media.
In 2025 she voices a character in the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, expanding into voice acting.
She has undergone eight operations related to her leg injuries, including the two amputations.
She uses a wheelchair or prosthetics depending on the situation.
Her Instagram account shares health updates and recovery progress.

Snap Facts

Fact	Detail
Full Name	Ruth Codd
Birth Date	13 June 1996
Birth Place	Wexford, County Wexford, Ireland
Occupation	Actress
Notable Roles	Anya in The Midnight Club (2022); Vilma Fierce / Juno in How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
Disability	Bilateral leg amputation (both legs below knee)
Social Media	Instagram: @ruthcodd (93K followers)

What Happened to Ruth Codd? Her Injury and Leg Amputation Story

Ruth Codd’s medical journey began at age 15 when she broke her left leg while kicking a football with friends. The break was severe and did not heal properly.

The Initial Injury and Eight Years on Crutches

For eight years, from age 15 to 23, Codd relied on crutches. She underwent multiple surgeries—some sources say eight operations, others mention an 11th major surgery—in an attempt to save the leg. The chronic pain and non‑healing eventually led to a hard decision.

What remains uncertain

The exact medical reason why the leg failed to heal—such as infection or a connective tissue disorder—has not been publicly confirmed by Codd or her representatives.

First Amputation: Right Leg at Age 23

At 23, Codd had her right leg amputated below the knee. The procedure brought relief from constant pain, but the use of crutches over the following years caused damage to her left foot and toes.

Second Amputation: Left Leg at Age 29

In November 2025, six years after the first amputation, Codd underwent a second below‑knee amputation on her left leg. The surgery was necessary because the arch support from crutches had damaged the left foot, leading to additional toe amputations. She is currently recovering, using a wheelchair and facing 4‑5 weeks of non‑weight‑bearing restrictions.

Common misconception

Ruth Codd did not lose her legs in a car accident or any sudden trauma. The amputations resulted from a broken leg that failed to heal, followed by long‑term complications.

Sources for this section: Reddit, BBC News, YouTube interview, UPI.

Ruth Codd’s Acting Career: Movies, TV Shows and Upcoming Projects

From TikTok to Netflix

After her first amputation, Codd began posting on TikTok. One video went viral and led to her being cast in Mike Flanagan’s The Midnight Club for Netflix. She played Anya, a teenager with a terminal illness, and received praise for her performance.

The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher

Her role in The Midnight Club (2022) was her acting debut. She also appeared in Flanagan’s later series The Fall of the House of Usher, where some viewers described her as a standout.

Celebrity Traitors (2024/2025)

Codd was a contestant on the ITV reality show Celebrity Traitors. She made an impression by correctly suspecting fellow contestant Jonathan Ross before being eliminated. Her participation brought her story to a wider audience.

How to Train Your Dragon (2025 Live-Action)

In the 2025 live‑action adaptation of How to Train Your Dragon, Codd portrays Vilma Fierce, a Viking with a limb difference. The role marks a significant step into a major franchise.

Disability representation on screen

Codd’s casting as a character with a limb difference is notable because it is rare for disabled actors to play disabled roles in high‑budget films. She has spoken about the importance of authentic representation.

For more on actresses with similar career paths, see Emma Sidi – Biography, TV Shows, and Personal Life.

Key Events in Ruth Codd’s Life

1996: Born on 13 June in Wexford, Ireland.
2011 (approx): At age 15, suffers a broken left leg that fails to heal correctly.
2011–2019: Undergoes eight operations and uses crutches for eight years.
2019 (age 23): Right leg amputated below the knee.
Late 2010s / Early 2020s: Gains following on TikTok; one clip goes viral.
2022: Stars as Anya in Netflix’s The Midnight Club.
2024/2025: Appears on ITV’s Celebrity Traitors.
November 2025 (age 29): Left leg amputated below the knee.
2025: Voiced character in live‑action How to Train Your Dragon.

What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Ruth Codd’s Medical Journey

Established Information	Information That Remains Unclear
She broke her left leg at age 15 while playing football.	The exact medical diagnosis for why the leg failed to heal (e.g., infection, connective tissue disorder).
She underwent eight operations and eventually had both legs amputated below the knee.	The precise years of each surgery and the sequence of toe amputations.
Her first amputation (right leg) occurred at age 23; the second (left) at age 29.	Whether an underlying connective tissue disorder was formally diagnosed.
She uses a wheelchair and prosthetics.	Full details of her long‑term mobility situation after recovery.

Why Ruth Codd’s Story Matters: Disability Representation and Media Impact

Ruth Codd’s rise from TikTok personality to Netflix actress illustrates how social media can create unconventional paths to stardom. Her openness about her bilateral amputation has made her a role model for many young people with disabilities.

In The Midnight Club, she brought visibility to disabled actors in the horror/thriller genre—a space that has historically lacked representation. Her casting in How to Train Your Dragon further breaks barriers for actors with disabilities in major franchises.

Codd herself focuses on her career rather than presenting her story as one of victimhood. As she told the BBC, “The amount of problems I had this year haven’t stopped me from doing anything.”

Sources and Quotes About Ruth Codd

“The amount of problems I had this year haven’t stopped me from doing anything.”

— Ruth Codd, quoted in BBC News

Key sources for this article include:

Wikipedia – age, birthplace, filmography.
IMDb – official filmography.
hhush Voice Agency – injury and operation details.
YouTube interview – first‑hand account of losing both legs and her career journey.
Instagram (@ruthcodd) – social media presence and health updates.
Reddit discussion – additional timeline and speculation.

No medical report or official health statement from Ruth Codd or her representatives has been published. Major news outlets have covered her story primarily through interviews.

Summary: Ruth Codd’s Journey and Future

Ruth Codd is an Irish actress whose life took an unexpected turn after a childhood football injury. Eight operations and two amputations later, she has built a successful acting career spanning Netflix, ITV, and a major franchise like How to Train Your Dragon. She continues to inspire audiences by focusing on her work and advocating for honest disability representation. For a look at another actress with a similar career trajectory, see the Cast of Too Much (TV Series) – Full Cast and Character Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruth Codd

Is Ruth Codd in a wheelchair?

Ruth Codd uses a wheelchair or prosthetic legs depending on the situation; she is a bilateral amputee.

What is Ruth Codd’s net worth?

Net worth is not publicly disclosed.

Did Ruth Codd lose her legs in a car accident?

No. She suffered a broken leg that failed to heal, leading to multiple operations and eventual amputation.

Does Ruth Codd have a boyfriend or spouse?

Ruth Codd has not publicly confirmed a partner.

What happened to Ruth Codd’s leg?

She broke her left leg at age 15, and after eight surgeries the leg could not be saved; both legs were eventually amputated.

What is Ruth Codd’s disability?

She is a bilateral amputee (both legs amputated below the knee).

How tall is Ruth Codd?

Height is not publicly known.