Ryan O'Connell

Ryan O'Connell is an American writer, actor, director, comedian, LGBTQ activist, and disability advocate. He gained recognition for his 2015 memoir, I'm Special: And Other Lies We Tell Ourselves, which chronicles his experiences as a gay man living with cerebral palsy. O'Connell adapted his memoir into the Netflix series Special, which premiered in April 2019. Born and raised in Ventura County, California, O'Connell has a mild form of cerebral palsy that affects the right side of his body, resulting in a noticeable limp. Despite his physical challenges, O'Connell pursued his passion for writing and acting, honing his skills by studying television scripts and participating in school plays. He continues to use his platform to advocate for LGBTQ rights and disability awareness.