Ron Funches Confronts Autism Diagnosis After The Traitors

Ron Funches, the 42-year-old comedian and star of The Traitors season 4, has recently found himself at the center of a deeply personal revelation. Known for his quick wit and heartfelt advocacy, Funches took to social media on January 21 and 22, 2026, to share that he is in the process of being diagnosed with autism—a journey sparked by his experiences on the hit reality competition show and the reactions of viewers online.

Funches, who has long been an outspoken autism advocate and the proud father of a 21-year-old son, Malcolm, who was diagnosed with autism at age two, had previously seen himself only as an ally and parent in the autism community. According to Parade, after watching himself on The Traitors and reading the comments from fans, he began to reconsider his own neurodiversity. "I honestly didn’t know I, myself, had Autism. I thought I was just an ally and parent of an autistic child," he wrote on Threads. The realization came as he noticed that other contestants seemed not to comprehend or understand him, even when he felt he was being direct. Observing his own mannerisms on screen, he started to question whether there was more to his communication style than he previously thought.

On January 22, Funches took to Instagram Stories to confirm that he was actively pursuing a diagnosis after viewers online suggested he might be autistic. In a characteristic blend of humor and honesty, he wrote, "Well the internet told me I was autistic and was right. You win this round." He went on to thank The Traitors for helping him learn more about himself, albeit "through some type of cruel trauma." Funches also addressed speculation about his sexuality, quipping, "Still not gay yet." (Just Jared)

Funches has made it clear that he won’t feel comfortable calling himself autistic until the diagnostic process is complete. "I won’t be comfortable calling myself autistic until my diagnosis is done," he stated, but added that he would not be bothered by whatever the result might be. He has since reflected that, if the outcome of feeling isolated and misunderstood on The Traitors is a deeper understanding of himself and his son, it would be "a victory worth sharing."

The comedian’s journey to self-discovery was not without its challenges. Throughout season 4 of The Traitors, hosted by Emmy winner Alan Cumming, Funches faced several bumps in the road. Early in the season, he persuaded the group to banish Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Porsha Williams after a miscommunication about her status as a Traitor, despite her being a Faithful. Later, he unknowingly aligned himself with Donna Kelce, the season’s Secret Traitor, which led to strained relationships and a few heated exchanges with other Faithfuls after her elimination (E! News).

Many viewers felt that the treatment Funches received from his fellow contestants crossed the line from spirited gameplay into outright bullying. He himself acknowledged the social difficulties, joking on Threads that he’d like to “try” playing Traitors U.K., which fans consider “much nicer.” Even on the show, Funches remarked on feeling isolated, responding to criticism about his friendliness with, "I’ve never been a person to beg for approval. I don’t need it. I go where I’m wanted. I go where I’m loved."

Funches’ openness about his experiences extends beyond reality television. He’s frequently spoken about his relationship with Malcolm and the lessons he’s learned as a parent of an autistic child. On Autism Awareness Day in April 2022, he posted on Instagram, "Thank you to my son who brought autism awareness into my life, and continually teaches me so much every day." In his standup routines, Funches is both candid and humorous about the complexities of raising a neurodivergent child. He joked, "He’s got great discipline, and I don’t know where he got it, because I never disciplined—I didn’t know how. Especially having a teenager and having someone have autism, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know what was teenager related. I didn’t know what was autism related." He continued, "I don’t know which of these things made him download 60 episodes of The Price Is Right, but I know that’s not normal. The Price Is Right is a fine show, but it is the same damn show every day. I’m like, ‘Son, did you need to fill the entire DVR with Price is Right?’ He’s like, ‘I’m just trying to keep season stats, dad.’ I’m like, ‘OK, so, it’s the autism. Carry on.’"

Behind the scenes, The Traitors offers a unique and sometimes intense environment for its cast. According to Variety and Daily Beast, the show’s producers go to great lengths to keep the game immersive and unpredictable. Contestants have no choice in whether they are designated Traitors or Faithfuls, though starting in season two, a select few could plead their case to host Alan Cumming. The selection process is described as a kind of job interview, with producers seeking an interesting mix of personalities and skill sets.

The setting—Scotland’s Ardross Castle—adds to the drama, but contestants don’t actually live in the castle; instead, they stay at a nearby airport hotel, only entering the castle for filming. The game itself is a whirlwind: episodes are filmed at a rapid pace to maintain the psychological "bubble," and players are under constant scrutiny, with a welfare team assigned to check on their well-being. Strategic conversations are tightly controlled, with game talk reserved for times when cameras and microphones are rolling.

Alan Cumming, who relishes his role as the show’s flamboyant host, has described the experience as a cross between acting and stand-up comedy, with lines sometimes fed to him through an earpiece. The producers also employ psychological tests to identify contestants who might excel at deception, and the cast is kept in the dark about each other’s identities until the game begins. According to casting director Deena Katz, this is to prevent alliances from forming before filming starts.

Despite the high-pressure environment and the occasional "cruel trauma" of reality TV, Funches appears grateful for the self-knowledge he’s gained. His story has resonated with fans—both those who see themselves in his journey and those who appreciate his candor about the challenges and joys of neurodiversity. As he continues through the diagnostic process, Funches stands as an example of how unexpected circumstances (and even a reality show) can lead to profound personal growth.

For Ron Funches, the path to understanding himself has been winding and, at times, public. Yet, in sharing his experiences, he’s offered a reminder that self-discovery can happen at any age—and sometimes, the most valuable lessons come from the unlikeliest of places.