Ricky Gervais
Acting Born Jun 25, 1961 Whitley, Berkshire, Reading, England, UK 243 credits
Biography
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, producer, musician, and writer. Born on June 25, 1961, in Reading, Berkshire, England, he has established a multifaceted career in the entertainment industry. Gervais is recognized for his work across television and film, having accumulated 154 known acting credits throughout his professional life. Beyond his performance work, he is a published author known for the Flanimals book series. He maintains a significant public presence through social media platforms, where he engages with a global audience regarding his creative projects and historical contributions to television comedy.
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Career overview
Gervais achieved mainstream prominence through his work on the television series The Office and Extras. He co-wrote and co-directed both programs alongside his frequent collaborator Stephen Merchant. In addition to his creative roles behind the camera, Gervais portrayed the lead characters of David Brent in The Office and Andy Millman in Extras. His contributions to The Office have remained a notable part of his professional legacy, as evidenced by his recent participation in celebrations marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the series.
In addition to his television work, Gervais has appeared in various Hollywood motion pictures. He has taken on leading roles in films including Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying. His career also encompasses live performance, as he has completed four sell-out stand-up comedy tours. These projects collectively highlight his transition from television writing and directing to international film acting and stage performance.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
La oficina · Original Series CreatorRicky Gervais Alley CatsRicky Gervais Alley Cats · Executive ProducerRicky Gervais Alley Cats · CreatorEngland 2006: The Golden Generation
The Paper · Executive ProducerThe Paper · Original Series CreatorDog ManRicky Gervais: MortalityRicky Gervais: Mortality · Writer
The Office · Original Series CreatorStand-Up: The Laughing Therapy
German GeniusGerman Genius · CreatorRicky Gervais: ArmageddonRicky Gervais: Armageddon · Writer7 Minutes · Executive Producer
Paws of Fury: The Legend of HankThe Office (SA) · Original Series CreatorRicky Gervais: SuperNatureRicky Gervais: SuperNature · Original Music ComposerRicky Gervais: SuperNature · Writer
The Office PL · Original Series CreatorClassic Albums: Suede - Coming Up
Talking SopranosThe WilloughbysThe Willoughbys · Executive Producer
After LifeAfter Life · Executive ProducerAfter Life · DirectorAfter Life · WriterAfter Life · Creator
Child SupportChild Support · Executive ProducerThe Alec Baldwin ShowRicky Gervais: HumanityRicky Gervais: Humanity · Writer
The Office · Original Series CreatorGeorge Michael: FreedomJim Norton: Mouthful of Shame
Michael McIntyre's Big ShowSpecial CorrespondentsSpecial Correspondents · DirectorSpecial Correspondents · WriterSpecial Correspondents · Producer
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertThe Late Show with Stephen ColbertHot OnesClose Up with The Hollywood ReporterThe Little Prince
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonLate Night with Seth MeyersBoJack HorsemanNight at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb
The Last LegDerekDerek · WriterDerek · DirectorDerek · Creator
Comedians in Cars Getting CoffeeLearn English with Ricky GervaisLearn English with Ricky Gervais · DirectorSesame Street: Singing with the StarsSesame Street: Singing with the Stars · Original Music Composer
The MuppetsSpy Kids: All the Time in the WorldLife's Too ShortLife's Too Short · WriterLife's Too Short · Director
ConanLouieAn Idiot AbroadAn Idiot Abroad · ProducerAn Idiot Abroad · Creator
Night at the Museum: Battle of the SmithsonianAlan Carr: Chatty ManThe Invention of LyingThe Invention of Lying · WriterThe Invention of Lying · Director
Ghost TownHow to Lose Friends & Alienate PeopleRicky Gervais: Out of EnglandRicky Gervais: Out of England · WriterRicky Gervais: Out of England · Executive Producer
The Graham Norton ShowStardustRicky Gervais Live 3: FameRicky Gervais Live 3: Fame · WriterThe Art of Breaking Character
The One ShowNight at the MuseumFor Your ConsiderationLa Job · CreatorLe Bureau · Creator
The OfficeThe Office · Executive ProducerThe Office · WriterThe Office · Original Series CreatorThe Office · Teleplay
Meet Karl PilkingtonMeet Karl Pilkington · ProducerMeet Karl Pilkington · DirectorLiving with Ricky GervaisRicky Gervais Live 2: Politics
Jimmy Kimmel Live!The Ellen DeGeneres ShowRicky Gervais Live: AnimalsRicky Gervais Live: Animals · WriterGolden Years
Ant & Dec's Saturday Night TakeawayAnt & Dec's Saturday Night TakeawayThe FightRobbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost TribeOffensive: The Real Derek and Clive
The OfficeThe Office · WriterThe Office · DirectorThe Office · CreatorAlias
Curb Your EnthusiasmBruiser · Additional WritingVic Reeves ExaminesMeet Ricky Gervais
Family GuySpongeBob SquarePantsSpacedThe Jim Tavaré Show
ParkinsonThe 11 O'Clock ShowSeedy Boss
The ViewThe View
Full filmography
- La oficina (2026) Original Series Creator
- Ricky Gervais Alley Cats (2026)
- Ricky Gervais Alley Cats (2026) Executive Producer
- Ricky Gervais Alley Cats (2026) Creator
- England 2006: The Golden Generation (2026) as Self (archive footage)
- The Paper (2025) Executive Producer
- The Paper (2025) Original Series Creator
- Dog Man (2025) as Flippy (voice)
- Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Mortality (2025) Writer
- The Office (2024) Original Series Creator
- Stand-Up: The Laughing Therapy (2024) as Self (archive footage)
- German Genius (2023) as Ricky Gervais
- German Genius (2023) Creator
- Ricky Gervais: Armageddon (2023) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Armageddon (2023) Writer
- 7 Minutes (2023) Executive Producer
- 7 Minutes (2023) Director
- Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) as Ika Chu (voice)
- The Office (SA) (2022) Original Series Creator
- Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022) Original Music Composer
- Ricky Gervais: SuperNature (2022) Writer
- George Michael: Freedom Uncut (2022) as Self
- Kick Out the Jams: The Story of XFM (2022) as Self
- The Office PL (2021) Original Series Creator
- Classic Albums: Suede - Coming Up (2021) as Self
- Talking Sopranos (2020) as Self
- The Willoughbys (2020) as The Cat (voice)
- The Willoughbys (2020) Executive Producer
- After Life (2019) as Tony
- After Life (2019) Executive Producer
- After Life (2019) Director
- After Life (2019) Writer
- After Life (2019) Creator
- Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? (2019) as Ricky Gervais (voice)
- The Office (2019) Original Series Creator
- The Nazi Pug: Joke or Hate? (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Child Support (2018) as Self
- Child Support (2018) Executive Producer
- The Alec Baldwin Show (2018) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Humanity (2018) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Humanity (2018) Writer
- Ricky Gervais: Humanity (2018) Executive Producer
- Suede: The Insatiable Ones (2018) as Self
- The Office (2017) Original Series Creator
- George Michael: Freedom (2017) as Self
- Jim Norton: Mouthful of Shame (2017) as Self (uncredited)
- Michael McIntyre's Big Show (2016) as Self - Performer
- Special Correspondents (2016) as Albert Finch
- Special Correspondents (2016) Director
- Special Correspondents (2016) Writer
- Special Correspondents (2016) Producer
- The Last Laugh (2016) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) as David Brent
- David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) Director
- David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) Writer
- David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) Producer
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Guest
- Hot Ones (2015) as Self
- Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter (2015) as Self
- The Little Prince (2015) as The Conceited Man (voice)
- Galavant (2015) as Xanax
- Derek Special (2015) as Derek
- Derek Special (2015) Director
- Derek Special (2015) Writer
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- BoJack Horseman (2014) as Hedgehog at Orphanage (voice)
- Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) as Dr. McPhee
- Muppets Most Wanted (2014) as Dominic Badguy
- 50 Years of BBC Two Comedy (2014) as Self
- The Last Leg (2013) as Self
- Derek (2013) as Derek
- Derek (2013) Writer
- Derek (2013) Director
- Derek (2013) Creator
- Escape from Planet Earth (2013) as Mr Bing (voice)
- The Unbelievers (2013) as Self
- David Blaine: Real or Magic (2013) as Self
- The Office Retrospective (2013) as Self
- The Office Retrospective (2013) Creator
- The Return of Brent (2013) as David Brent
- The Return of Brent (2013) Director
- The Return of Brent (2013) Writer
- The Return of Brent (2013) Characters
- Learn Guitar with David Brent (2013) as David Brent
- Learn Guitar with David Brent (2013) Creator
- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012) as Self
- Learn English with Ricky Gervais (2012) as Self
- Learn English with Ricky Gervais (2012) Director
- Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars (2012) as Self
- Sesame Street: Singing with the Stars (2012) Original Music Composer
- The Office: Secret Santa Pack (2012) Writer
- 4funnies (2012) Producer
- The Muppets (2011) as Himself (uncredited)
- Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011) as Voice of Argonaut
- Life's Too Short (2011) as Ricky Gervais
- Life's Too Short (2011) Writer
- Life's Too Short (2011) Director
- Life's Too Short (2011) Executive Producer
- Life's Too Short (2011) Creator
- Talking Funny (2011) as Self
- Talking Funny (2011) Executive Producer
- Brad & Gary (2011) Book
- David Haye versus (2011) as Self
- Conan (2010) as Self
- Louie (2010) as Dr. Ben
- An Idiot Abroad (2010) as Self
- An Idiot Abroad (2010) Producer
- An Idiot Abroad (2010) Creator
- The Ricky Gervais Show (2010) as Self
- The Ricky Gervais Show (2010) Producer
- The Ricky Gervais Show (2010) Creator
- The Marriage Ref (2010) as Self - Panelist
- The Office (2010) Original Series Creator
- When Karl Met Warwick (2010) as Self
- When Karl Met Warwick (2010) Director
- When Karl Met Warwick (2010) Producer
- Cemetery Junction (2010) as Len Taylor
- Cemetery Junction (2010) Director
- Cemetery Junction (2010) Writer
- Cemetery Junction (2010) Executive Producer
- Meet Karl Pilkington II (2010) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2 (2010) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2 (2010) Executive Producer
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2 (2010) Writer
- Ricky Gervais Live 4: Science (2010) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live 4: Science (2010) Writer
- Ricky Gervais Live 4: Science (2010) Director
- This Side of the Truth, A Truly 'Honest' Making of The Invention of Lying (2010) as Self
- The Simpsons: Mischief & Mayhem (2010) as Self - Narrator
- Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009) as Dr. McPhee
- Alan Carr: Chatty Man (2009) as Self
- The Invention of Lying (2009) as Mark Bellison
- The Invention of Lying (2009) Writer
- The Invention of Lying (2009) Director
- The Invention of Lying (2009) Producer
- SpongeBob's Truth or Square (2009) as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Live from Studio Five (2009) as Self
- Prequel: The Dawn of Lying (2009) as Mark Bellison
- Prequel: The Dawn of Lying (2009) Director
- Prequel: The Dawn of Lying (2009) Screenplay
- Horne & Corden (2009)
- Square Roots: The Story of SpongeBob SquarePants (2009) as Self
- Ghost Town (2008) as Dr. Bertram Pincus
- How to Lose Friends & Alienate People (2008) as Ricky Gervais (uncredited)
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England (2008) as Self
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England (2008) Writer
- Ricky Gervais: Out of England (2008) Executive Producer
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Stardust (2007) as Ferdy the Fence
- Ricky Gervais Live 3: Fame (2007) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live 3: Fame (2007) Writer
- The Art of Breaking Character (2007) as Self
- Living with Ricky Gervais 2 (2007) as Self
- Concert for Diana (2007) as David Brent
- Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening (2007) as Self
- Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening (2007) Director
- Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening (2007) Camera Operator
- Karl Pilkington: Satisfied Fool (2007) as Self
- The One Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- Night at the Museum (2006) as Dr. McPhee
- For Your Consideration (2006) as Martin Gibb
- La Job (2006) Creator
- Le Bureau (2006) Creator
- Ricky Gervais Meets... (2006) Creator
- The Office (2005) as David Brent
- The Office (2005) Executive Producer
- The Office (2005) Writer
- The Office (2005) Original Series Creator
- The Office (2005) Teleplay
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005) as Self
- Extras (2005) as Andy Millman
- Extras (2005) Executive Producer
- Extras (2005) Director
- Extras (2005) Writer
- Extras (2005) Creator
- Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List (2005) as Self
- Valiant (2005) as Bugsy (voice)
- Taping Nigel (2005) as Self
- Taping Nigel (2005) Director
- Taping Nigel (2005) Camera Operator
- Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show (2005) Writer
- Finding Leo (2005) as Self
- Finding Leo (2005) Director
- Alan Partridge Presents: The Cream of British Comedy (2005) as Self
- Pictoplasma: Characters in Motion, Vol. 1 (2005) as Audio Sample (Self)
- Meet Karl Pilkington (2004) as Self
- Meet Karl Pilkington (2004) Producer
- Meet Karl Pilkington (2004) Director
- Living with Ricky Gervais (2004) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live 2: Politics (2004) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live 2: Politics (2004) Writer
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live: Animals (2003) as Self
- Ricky Gervais Live: Animals (2003) Writer
- Golden Years (2003) as Clive Meadows
- Golden Years (2003) Writer
- Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (2002) as Self
- Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (2002) as Self - Guest Announcer
- The Fight (2002) as Self
- Robbie the Reindeer: Legend of the Lost Tribe (2002) as Penguin (voice)
- Offensive: The Real Derek and Clive (2002) as Self
- How I Made The Office by Ricky Gervais (2002) as Self
- The Office (2001) as David Brent
- The Office (2001) Writer
- The Office (2001) Director
- The Office (2001) Creator
- Alias (2001) as Daniel Ryan
- Dog Eat Dog (2001) as Bouncer
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as Ricky Gervais
- Bruiser (2000) Additional Writing
- Vic Reeves Examines (2000)
- Meet Ricky Gervais (2000)
- Family Guy (1999) as Billy Finn (voice)
- SpongeBob SquarePants (1999) as Narrator (voice)
- Spaced (1999) as Dave
- The Jim Tavaré Show (1999) as Various
- Parkinson (1998) as Self
- The 11 O'Clock Show (1998) as Self
- Seedy Boss (1998) as David Brent
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The View (1997) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self - Guest
- Room 101 (1994) as Self
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- GMTV (1993) as Self
- The Simpsons (1989) as Charles Heathbar (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) as Ricky Gervais (voice)
- The Simpsons (1989) Writer
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- This Morning (1988) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Host
- The Wind in the Willows as Mole
- HaMisrad Creator