Ricky Gervais

Ricky Dene Gervais, born on 25th June 1961 in a suburb of Reading, is an English comedian, who started out as a musician and is nowadays known as a producer, writer, actor and waspish host of three Golden Globe Awards. His part in the BBC mockumentary The Office (2001-2003) was Gervais’s breakthrough.

Before The Office

Holding a degree in philosophy, Gervais formed the new wave duo “Seona Dancing” , releasing two singles in 1983. Apparently influenced by David Bowie, the band had little success apart from their song “More to Lose” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvcoX6EQH2s), which became a number one hit in the Philippines. Gervais then worked as a band manager before becoming a radio host at a local indie music station in 1996. This is where he first met Stephen Merchant. Until both started working on The Office, Gervais wrote pieces for BBC TV shows and hosted his own radio talk show.

The Office

Together with Merchant he not only created The Office but also starred as David Brent, "a self-deluded manager at an English paper company" ^[1]. The show and Gervais as an actor won numerous awards, including Golden Globes (2004) and BAFTA awards (2002-2004) and British Comedy awards (2001, 2002). [1] Because of this success The Office was “exported” to other countries, leading to the American version starring Steve Carrell or the German TV series Stromberg. Gervais also kept his alter ego alive by performing “Free Love Highway” at “The Concert for Diana” at Wembley (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXaaR5-cSvY) and by posting short videos on Youtube under the slogans “The Return of David Brent” and “Learn Guitar with David Brent” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYPBVDZ8_Bs&list=PLPf6bUqN1Brt7YUifE52IEJV4l553NZ1v).

After The Office

Subsequent to The Office Gervais and Merchant launched another sitcom named Extras (2005-2007), again winning awards, among them also an Emmy and a Golden Globe. During this time Gervais likewise made a name for himself with stand-up comedy and a high-flying internet podcast show (2005-2006). Other collaborations with Merchant followed on British TV, bringing An Idiot Abroad (2010-2012), Life's Too Short (2011-2013) and Derek (2012-2014) into being. Gervais also appeared on international film productions such as Night at the Museum (2006) or The Invention of Lying (2009).

Between 2010 and 2012 Gervais hosted three Golden Globe Awards, where he made more or less offensive jokes at Hollywood actors’ expenses. This is how he introduced Robert Downey Jr:

"I love this next presenter; he’s so cool. He’s the star of Iron Man, Two Girls and a Guy, Wonderboys. I’m sorry are these porn films? Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Bowfinger? Up the Academy. Come on! He has done all of those films, but many of you in this room probably know him best from such facilities as The Betty Ford Clinic and the Los Angeles County Jail. Robert Downey, Jr." ^[2]

At the 68th Awards in 2011 he said: "Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then. My lawyers helped with that joke." ^[3]

Trivia

Gervais lives in London with his significant other, author and producer Jane Fallon. They also have an apartment in Manhatten.

He is an atheist and calls attention to animal cruelty.

"Everyone has the right to believe anything they want. And everyone else has the right to find it fucking ridiculous." ^[4]

"I think people think 'atheist' means you’re this angry militant who runs into churches and says, ‘All of you are going to die, stop this!’ I like Christmas, I like carols. I just don’t believe there’s a God. That’s all there is to it." ^[5]