Editing Ricky Gervais

{{Short description|English comedian (born 1961)}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox comedian
| name             = Ricky Gervais
| image            = GervaisPall230921 (15 of 17) (51527411486) (cropped).jpg
| caption          = Gervais in 2021
| alt              =
| birth_name       = Ricky Dene Gervais
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1961|6|25}}
| birth_place      = [[Reading, England]]
| alma_mater       = [[University College London]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
| domestic_partner = [[Jane Fallon]] (1982–present)
| website          = {{URL|rickygervais.com}}
| medium           = {{hlist|Stand-up|television|film|music|books}}
| active           = 1982–present
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Observational comedy]]|[[black comedy]]|[[cringe comedy]]|[[insult comedy]]|[[comedy music|musical comedy]]|[[satire]]}}
| subject      = {{hlist|[[Everyday life]]|[[popular culture|pop culture]]|[[alcoholism]]|[[religion]]|[[human nature]]|[[social awkwardness]]|[[current events]]|[[human sexuality]]}}
| module = <div class="center">{{Listen|embed=yes|filename=Ricky Gervais BBC Radio4 Desert Island Discs 24 June 2007 b007qsrj.flac|title=Ricky Gervais's voice|type=speech|description=[[:File:Ricky Gervais BBC Radio4 Desert Island Discs 24 June 2007 b007qsrj.flac|Recorded June 2007]] from the BBC Radio 4 programme ''[[Desert Island Discs]]''}}</div>
}}
'''Ricky Dene Gervais''' ({{IPAc-en|dʒ|ər|ˈ|v|eɪ|z}} {{respell|jər|VAYZ}}; born 25 June 1961) is an English comedian, actor, writer, television producer and filmmaker. He co-created, co-wrote, and acted in the British television sitcoms ''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'' (2001–2003), ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'' (2005–2007), and ''[[Life's Too Short (TV series)|Life's Too Short]]'' (2011–2013) with [[Stephen Merchant]]. He also created, wrote, and starred in ''[[Derek (TV series)|Derek]]'' (2012–2014) and ''[[After Life (TV series)|After Life]]'' (2019–2022).<ref>{{cite web |title=Ricky Gervais {{!}} Biography, TV Series, Movies, & Facts |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ricky-Gervais |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=17 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317151238/http://www.britannica.com/biography/Ricky-Gervais |archive-date=17 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gervais has won seven [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA Awards]], five [[British Comedy Awards]], two [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Emmy Awards]], four [[Golden Globe Awards]], and the [[Rose d'Or]] twice (2006 and 2019). In 2003, ''[[The Observer]]'' named Gervais one of the 50 funniest performers in British comedy.<ref>{{cite news |title=The A-Z of laughter (part one) |url=http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,1101477,00.html |date=7 December 2003|access-date=23 July 2022 |work=The Observer}}</ref> In 2007, he was placed at No. 11 on [[Channel 4]]'s 100 Greatest Stand-Ups,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/100_greatest_stand_ups/episodes/1/1/|title=Episode 1.1 The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups 2007|publisher=Comedy.co.uk|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402205235/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/100_greatest_stand_ups/episodes/1/1/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and at No. 3 in their 2010 list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/100_greatest_stand_ups/episodes/1/2/|title=Episode 1.2 The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups 2010|publisher=Comedy.co.uk|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150125155715/http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/100_greatest_stand_ups/episodes/1/2|archive-date=25 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2010, he was included in the ''[[Time 100]]'' list of World's Most Influential People.<ref name="Time 100">{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2058044_2060338_2060076,00.html|title=Ricky Gervais The 2010 Time 100 Poll|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=25 January 2015|date=4 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402211932/http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2058044_2060338_2060076,00.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais initially worked in the music industry. He attempted a career as a pop star in the 1980s as the singer of the [[new wave music|new-wave]] act [[Seona Dancing]]. The band did have success in the [[Philippines]] with the song "[[More to Lose]]".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4651368/ricky-gervais-seona-dancing-philippines-more-to-lose/|title=A Brief History of Ricky Gervais as an 1980s Pop Sensation|first=Nash|last=Jenkins|date=1 February 2017|magazine=TIME|accessdate=3 October 2024}}</ref> He also managed the then-unknown band [[Suede (band)|Suede]] before turning to comedy. He appeared on ''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]'' on Channel 4 between 1998 and 2000, garnering a reputation as an outspoken and sharp-witted social provocateur. In 2000, he was given a Channel 4 spoof talk show, ''[[Meet Ricky Gervais]]''. He achieved greater mainstream fame the following year with his [[BBC]] television mock documentary series ''The Office,'' followed by ''Extras'' in 2005. He also wrote the ''[[Flanimals]]'' book series.

Gervais began his stand-up career in the late 1990s. He has performed five multi-national stand-up comedy tours. Gervais, [[Stephen Merchant]] and [[Karl Pilkington]] created the podcast ''[[The Ricky Gervais Show]]'', which has spawned various spin-offs including ''[[An Idiot Abroad]]'' (2010–2012), starring Pilkington and produced by Gervais and Merchant.<ref name="Plunkett">{{cite news|url=http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1703591,00.html|title=Gervais podcast in the record books|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=John|last=Plunkett|date=6 February 2006|access-date=27 March 2010|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906132518/http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1703591,00.html|archive-date=6 September 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, he wrote, directed and starred in the comedy film ''[[David Brent: Life on the Road]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=The king of deadpan |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/the-king-of-deadpan-1.900652 |access-date=31 July 2019 |newspaper=Irish News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801021259/https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/the-king-of-deadpan-1.900652 |archive-date=1 August 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gervais has also starred in the Hollywood films ''[[For Your Consideration (film)|For Your Consideration]]'' (2006), the [[Night at the Museum (film series)|''Night at the Museum'' film series]] trilogy (2006–2014), ''[[Ghost Town (2008 film)|Ghost Town]]'' (2008), and ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'' (2014). He wrote, directed, and starred in the 2009 romantic comedy film ''[[The Invention of Lying]]'' and the 2016 [[Netflix]]-released comedy film ''[[Special Correspondents]]''. He hosted the Golden Globe Awards five times, in [[67th Golden Globe Awards|2010]], [[68th Golden Globe Awards|2011]], [[69th Golden Globe Awards|2012]], [[73rd Golden Globe Awards|2016]], and [[77th Golden Globe Awards|2020]].

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==Early life==
Gervais was born on 25 June 1961<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/people/ricky-gervais/ |title=Ricky Gervais |date=14 August 2015 |website=Empire |access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref> at [[Battle Hospital]] in [[Reading, Berkshire]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Doyle |first1=Dave |title=Reading's Ricky Gervais rose from gardener to Hollywood legend |url=https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/reading-berkshire-news/readings-ricky-gervais-rose-humble-21073410 |work=BerkshireLive |date=25 July 2021 }}</ref> Gervais's father was Lawrence Raymond "Jerry" Gervais (1919–2002), a [[Franco-Ontarian]] of [[French Canadians|French Canadian]] and [[Iroquois]] descent who grew up on a farm in [[Pain Court, Ontario]] near [[Chatham, Ontario]]. Lawrence emigrated to the UK while on foreign duty during the [[Second World War]].<ref name="Heavy">{{cite news |title=Ricky Gervais' Family: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know |url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2020/01/ricky-gervais-family-brother-sister-parents/ |access-date=6 July 2022 |work=Heavy}}</ref> He worked as a labourer and [[Brick hod|hod carrier]]<ref name="telegraphuk">{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/8722858/Ricky-Gervais-Dont-ask-me-the-price-of-milk-I-fly-by-private-jet.html |title=Ricky Gervais: Don't ask me the price of milk – I fly by private jet |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=26 August 2011 |first=Bryony |last=Gordon |access-date=28 August 2014 |location=London |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903175905/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/comedy/8722858/Ricky-Gervais-Dont-ask-me-the-price-of-milk-I-fly-by-private-jet.html |archive-date=3 September 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> before he met Gervais's English mother, Eva Sophia (née House; 1925–2000).<ref name="huffingtonpost">{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/you-asked-for-it-ricky-ge_b_531001.html |title=You Asked for It, Ricky Gervais! |work=The Huffington Post |date=8 April 2010 |first=Megan |last=Smolenyak |access-date=24 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100603085023/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/megan-smolenyak-smolenyak/you-asked-for-it-ricky-ge_b_531001.html |archive-date=3 June 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> They met during a [[Blackout (wartime)|blackout]], settled in [[Whitley, Reading]], and had four children. Eva died at age 74 of [[lung cancer]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/ginny-dougary/ricky-gervais-in-his-most_b_524351.html |title=Ricky Gervais in his most 'postmodern' interview ever |work=The Huffington Post |date=3 June 2010 |access-date=24 September 2010 |first=Ginny |last=Dougary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409042021/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ginny-dougary/ricky-gervais-in-his-most_b_524351.html |archive-date=9 April 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ricky was the youngest child; his siblings are: schoolteacher Larry (1945–2019), Marsha, a teacher for [[special needs]] children (1948–), and Bob (1950–), a painter and decorator.<ref name="Heavy"/><ref name="theguardian.com">{{cite web|date=18 December 2021|title=Ricky Gervais on offence, anger and infuriating Hollywood: 'You have to provoke. It's a good thing'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/dec/18/ricky-gervais-on-offence-anger-and-infuriating-hollywood|access-date=26 January 2022|website=the Guardian}}</ref> Prompted by Bob, Ricky Gervais began to question the existence of [[God]] from about age eight.<ref>{{cite web|last=Dawkins|first=Richard|date=2012|title=Richard Dawkins – Sex, Death and the Meaning of Life – Part 3|website=[[YouTube]]|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3eyRo1Qyk4&t=2153s|quote=In discussion with [[Richard Dawkins]], Gervais recounted "... when I was about eight, [my brother Bob] was 11 years older than me so he was about 19 and I was drawing a picture of Jesus, you know, Bible studies and he came in and he looked at it and he went "why do you believe in God?" and my mum went "Bob!" and I knew from body language, why didn't she even want the question? Ah, she was hiding something from me and I thought about it and it all made sense, Then I started reading and I've been an atheist for 40 years."}}</ref>

Gervais has mentioned in interviews that, as an 11-year-old, he asked why his siblings were so much older than he was; his mother bluntly told him that he "[[Unintended pregnancy|was a mistake]]".<ref name="theguardian.com"/> Gervais has spoken of his appreciation for his family's extreme sense of humour. He told [[BBC Radio 4]]'s ''[[Desert Island Discs]]'' that he and his brother Bob spent most of their mother's funeral "crying with laughter". They had been asked by the [[Vicar (Anglicanism)|vicar]] to tell him something about their mother prior to the service, with Gervais saying, "My brother, just winding up the vicar, said, 'She was a keen racist.' And the vicar said, 'I can't say that!' So Bob went, 'Oh, OK then... she liked gardening.'"<ref name="Heavy"/>

Gervais attended Whitley Park Infants and Junior Schools and received his secondary education at [[John Madejski Academy|Ashmead Comprehensive School]]. After a [[Gap year#United Kingdom|gap year]], which he spent working as a gardener at the [[University of Reading]], he attended [[University College London]] (UCL) in 1980.<ref>{{cite book |last=Heatley |first=Michael |title=Ricky Gervais: The Story So Far... |date=2006 |publisher=Michael O'Mara |isbn=9781843172192 |pages=23, 28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Francesca |last=Perryman |url=http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/happy-birthday-ricky-gervais-plus-11516111 |title=Happy Birthday Ricky Gervais! Plus nine reasons why we think he's awesome |publisher=Get Reading |date=25 June 2016 |access-date=10 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110224901/http://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/happy-birthday-ricky-gervais-plus-11516111 |archive-date=10 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> He intended to study biology but changed to philosophy after two weeks, and was awarded a lower-second class honours degree in the subject from [[University College London]] in 1983.<ref>{{Cite web |last=John |date=2025-03-06 |title=Counago & Spaves: The One Where Ricky Gervais Got a 2.2 |url=https://counago-and-spaves.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-one-where-ricky-gervais-got-22.html |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=Counago & Spaves}}</ref> During his time there, he met [[Jane Fallon]], with whom he has been in a relationship since 1982.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/5158001/Ricky-Gervais-Grumpy-middle-aged-man.html "Ricky Gervais: Grumpy middle-aged man"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101005072310/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/5158001/Ricky-Gervais-Grumpy-middle-aged-man.html |date=5 October 2010 }}, ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]''</ref>

==Career==
===Music===
For six months in 1983,<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=c-4O-OLSHo99FPfG&t=1345&v=99mDleOf46I&feature=youtu.be |title=Ricky Gervais: Comedy, Football and Brotherly Bonds With Roy Keane {{!}} Stick to Football 59 |date=27 November 2024 |last=The Overlap |access-date=2 December 2024 |via=YouTube}}</ref> during his final year as a student at UCL, Gervais and his best friend Bill Macrae formed the [[New wave music|new wave]] pop duo [[Seona Dancing]]. They were signed by [[London Records]], which released two of their singles—"[[More to Lose]]" and "[[Bitter Heart]]". The songs failed to make an impact on the [[UK Singles Chart]].<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=David |editor-last=Roberts |title=British Hit Singles and Albums|year=2006|publisher=Guinness World Records Limited|isbn=978-1904994107}}</ref> Despite not being successful in the UK, Seona Dancing did manage to score a hit in the [[Philippines]] with "More to Lose".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2011/01/26/ricky_gervais_pop_band/|title=Ricky Gervais' career as an 80's glam-pop star|work=Salon|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150126045322/http://www.salon.com/2011/01/26/ricky_gervais_pop_band/|archive-date=26 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais also worked as the manager for [[Suede (band)|Suede]] before they became successful in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a321491/brett-anderson-praises-ex-manager-ricky-gervais.html#~p2t6TtO7XcwBvE|title=Brent Anderson Praises Ex-manager Ricky Gervais|website=Digital Spy|first=Tom|last=Eames|date=25 May 2011|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a321491/brett-anderson-praises-ex-manager-ricky-gervais.html#~p2t6TtO7XcwBvE|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2013, Gervais performed a live tour as [[David Brent]] along with his band [[Foregone Conclusion]], Brent's fictional band in ''The Office''.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 September 2013|title=Ricky Gervais confirms David Brent to play live gigs|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-24148385|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> He and the band performed songs written under the Brent character, including "Equality Street" and "[[Free Love Freeway]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/73215 |title=Ricky Gervais plays debut David Brent show with former Razorlight star in London |work=[[NME]] |date=14 October 2013 |access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107132135/http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/73215/ |archive-date=7 January 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gervais also produced a series of YouTube videos, 'Learn Guitar with David Brent', featuring acoustic guitar versions of nine songs. In 2016, as part of the ''Life on the Road'' film promotion, Gervais published the ''David Brent Songbook''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HBPUIC6/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 |title=David Brent Songbook eBook: David Brent: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store |date=11 August 2016 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=10 November 2017}}</ref> of 15 songs, which he also recorded for the album ''Life on the Road'' as David Brent and Foregone Conclusion.

===Radio===
Gervais worked as an assistant events manager for the [[Student Central|University of London Union]] (ULU), then was head of speech at the alternative radio station [[Radio X (United Kingdom)|Xfm]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstatesman.com/comedy/2010/12/ricky-gervais-ince-office |title=Ricky Gervais: They Call Me Entertainment |work=[[New Statesman]] |access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402184855/http://www.newstatesman.com/comedy/2010/12/ricky-gervais-ince-office |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Needing an assistant, he interviewed the first person whose [[curriculum vitae]] he read: [[Stephen Merchant]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/arts/television/14gervais.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |title=Three Mates Laughing (Well, Two Are) |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=25 January 2015 |first=Dave |last=Itzkoff |date=12 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402203432/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/14/arts/television/14gervais.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1998 Gervais's position was made redundant when the station was taken over by the [[Capital Radio]] group.<ref>{{cite web|last=McMorrow|first=Graham|date=11 May 2010|title=XFM & The Podfather: Ricky Gervais Week|url=http://www.cityoffilms.com/reel-news/the-podfather-ricky-gervais/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121193147/http://www.cityoffilms.com/reel-news/the-podfather-ricky-gervais/|archive-date=21 January 2015|access-date=21 January 2015|work=City of Film}}</ref> Around this time he was also a regular contributor to [[Mary Anne Hobbs]]'s Radio 1 show, performing vox pop interviews in unlikely locations.<ref>{{cite book |last=Worthington |first=Tim |date=2012 |title=Fun At One: The Story Of Comedy At BBC Radio 1 |publisher=Lulu Press }}</ref>

After the first series of ''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'', Gervais and Merchant returned to Xfm in November 2001 for a Saturday radio show, where they began working with [[Karl Pilkington]], who produced the shows and later collaborated with them on their series of [[podcast]]s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/5930/ricky-gervais-and-stephen-merchant-return-to-xfm |title=Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant Return to Xfm |work=Gigwise |access-date=21 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402140534/http://www.gigwise.com/news/5930/ricky-gervais-and-stephen-merchant-return-to-xfm |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2017, Gervais began hosting the weekly radio show ''Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius'' on [[Sirius XM]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spangler |first1=Todd |title=Ricky Gervais on New SiriusXM Talk Show: They 'Made Me an Offer I Couldn't Refuse' |url=https://variety.com/2017/digital/news/ricky-gervais-siriusxm-comedy-talk-show-1202593641/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=21 October 2017 |date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020143531/http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/ricky-gervais-siriusxm-comedy-talk-show-1202593641/ |archive-date=20 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> which ran until 2019.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Yossman |first=K.&nbsp;J. |date=1 March 2022 |title=Ricky Gervais' 'Absolutely Mental' Podcast Returning For Season 3 (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2022/digital/news/ricky-gervais-absolutely-mental-season-3-1235192896/ |access-date=17 March 2022 |website=Variety }}</ref>

====Podcast====
{{See also|The Ricky Gervais Show|List of The Ricky Gervais Show episodes}}
On 5 December 2005, ''[[Guardian Unlimited]]'' began offering free weekly podcasts, including ''[[The Ricky Gervais Show]]'' featuring Gervais, Merchant and Karl Pilkington.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4479230.stm |title=Gervais radio show to be podcast |date=28 November 2005 |publisher=BBC |access-date=25 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030005952/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4479230.stm |archive-date=30 October 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref> Throughout January and February 2006 the podcast was consistently ranked the number 1 podcast in the world. It appeared in the 2007 edition of the [[Guinness World Record|Guinness Book of World Records]] as the world's most-downloaded podcast, with an average 261,670 downloads per episode during its first month.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/feb/06/radio.newmedia |title=Gervais podcast in the record books |work=The Guardian |date=6 February 2006 |access-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928220401/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/feb/06/radio.newmedia |archive-date=28 September 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> Two more series, each with six podcasts, were released between February and September 2006.

In late 2006, three more free podcasts were released. Together called "The Podfather Trilogy", they debuted individually at Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Podfather-Trilogy-Season-Gervais/dp/B002SPXUZC |title=The Podfather Trilogy |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511103655/http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Podfather-Trilogy-Season-Gervais/dp/B002SPXUZC |archive-date=11 May 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> These three were known by Gervais and Merchant as "The Fourth Season". In October 2007 another free full-length podcast was released through iTunes, after being originally given out for free during a performance of Gervais's ''[[Fame (comedy)|Fame]]'' stand-up tour in London. On 25 November 2007 Gervais, Merchant and Pilkington released another free podcast of just over one hour.

In August 2008, Gervais, Merchant and Pilkington recorded their fifth series of [[audiobook]]s with four chapters released on 16 September 2008, and described as the ''Guide To...'' series.  There are 12 'Guides' to Medicine, Natural History, Arts, Philosophy, The English, Society, Law & Order, The Future, The Human Body, The Earth, The [[2010 FIFA World Cup|World Cup 2010]] and [[Comic Relief]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+ricky+gervais+guide+to |title=The Ricky Gervais Guide to... |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=31 January 2015}}</ref> The conversations typically begin on topic and go out on tangents about other subjects. In 2021, Gervais launched a paid-for audio series, ''Absolutely Mental'', of his conversations with philosopher [[Sam Harris]]. Season 2 was also launched in 2021, followed by season 3 in March 2022.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=24 September 2021|title=Ricky Gervais Launches 'Absolutely Mental' Season 2 Podcast, Priced at $15|url=https://variety.com/2021/digital/news/ricky-gervais-absolutely-mental-s2-podcast-1235073466/|access-date=29 September 2021|website=Variety}}</ref>

===Television===
====Early television appearances====
[[File:RickyGervaisBAFTA07.jpg|thumb|upright|Gervais at the [[60th British Academy Film Awards]] in 2007]]
Gervais has contributed to the [[British Academy of Film and Television Arts|BAFTA]]-winning ''[[The Sketch Show]]'' (ITV), penning several sketches. His mainstream-TV on-screen debut came in September 1998 as part of [[Channel 4]]'s ''Comedy Lab'' series of pilots. His one-off show ''[[Golden Years (TV programme)|Golden Years]]'' focused on a [[David Bowie]]-obsessed character called Clive Meadows.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/pictures/the-long-funny-career-of-ricky-gervais-20110404/golden-years-1998-0520409Aa|title=The Long, Funny Career of Ricky Gervais|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|first=Tom |last=Eames|access-date=25 January 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Gervais then came to much wider national attention with an obnoxious, cutting persona featured in a topical slot that replaced [[Ali G]]'s segments on the satirical Channel 4 comedy programme ''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]'' in early 1999, in which his character used as many expletives as was possible and produced an inordinate number of politically incorrect statements. Among the other regular featured comedians on the show was [[Mackenzie Crook]], later a co-star of ''[[The Office (UK TV series)|The Office]]''. Two years later, Gervais went on to present his comedy chat show for Channel 4 called ''[[Meet Ricky Gervais]]'', which was poorly received and cancelled after six episodes, and Gervais has since mocked it.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}}

Throughout this time, Gervais also wrote for the BBC sketch show ''[[Bruiser (TV series)|Bruiser]]'' and ''The [[Jim Tavaré|Jim Tavare]] Show''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/people/ricky_gervais_person_page.shtml|title=Comedy People A-Z Ricky Gervais|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202642/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/people/ricky_gervais_person_page.shtml|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

====''The Office''====
{{Main|The Office (British TV series)}}
''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'' started when [[Stephen Merchant]] had to make his short film while on a BBC production course. In August 1999 he made a docu-soap parody, set in an office, with help from [[Ash Atalla]] who was shown a 7-minute video called 'The Seedy Boss'. Thus the character of [[David Brent]] was created. Merchant passed this tape on to the BBC's Head of Entertainment [[Paul Jackson (producer)|Paul Jackson]] at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Edinburgh Fringe]], who then passed it on to Head of Comedy [[Jon Plowman]], who eventually commissioned a full-pilot script from Merchant and Gervais.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/profiles/story/0,,1250074,.html|title=The Guardian profile: Ricky Gervais|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203100709/http://www.theguardian.com/profiles/story/0,,1250074,.html|archive-date=3 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first six-episode series of ''The Office'' aired in the UK in July and August 2001 to little fanfare or attention.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.msn.com/en-ph/entertainment/people/ricky-gervais/AA3l0x9|title=Ricky Gervais| publisher=[[MSN]] |access-date=26 January 2015}}</ref> Word-of-mouth, repeats and DVDs helped spread the word, building up momentum and anticipation for the second series, also comprising six episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/profiles/story/0,,1250074,.html|title=The Guardian profile: Ricky Gervais|work=The Guardian|date=26 January 2015|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304212400/http://www.theguardian.com/profiles/story/0,,1250074,.html|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the success of ''The Office''{{'s}} second series, Gervais was named the [[Radio Times's Most Powerful People in TV Comedy|most powerful person in TV comedy]] by ''[[Radio Times]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2631307.stm|title=Gervais crowned 'king of comedy'|date=6 January 2003|work=BBC News|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170913233929/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2631307.stm|archive-date=13 September 2017|url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2004, ''The Office'' won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy]] as well as [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy|Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy]] for Gervais, who said in a 2015 BBC interview that the award was the gateway to America for him.<ref name=":0">{{cite AV media |date=16 January 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfbPlRseDPU |title=What does Ricky Gervais really think of the Golden Globes? – Interview |publisher=Husam Sam Asi |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211015160344/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfbPlRseDPU |archive-date=15 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[The Office]]'' brand has since been remade for audiences in [[:sv:Kontoret|Sweden]], [[Le Bureau|France]], [[Stromberg (TV series)|Germany]], [[La Job|Quebec]], [[Os Aspones|Brazil]], [[:es:La ofis|Chile]], The Czech Republic, [[:fi:Konttori (suomalainen televisiosarja)|Finland]], [[The Office (Indian TV series)|India]], [[HaMisrad|Israel]], [[:pl:The Office PL|Poland]] and the [[The Office (American TV series)|United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://splitsider.com/2011/05/exploring-the-international-franchises-of-the-office/|title=Exploring the International Franchises of The Office|publisher=Splitsider.com|access-date=27 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731004048/http://splitsider.com/2011/05/exploring-the-international-franchises-of-the-office/|archive-date=31 July 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gervais and Merchant are producers of the American version, and they also co-wrote the episode "[[The Convict]]" for the show's third season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4687784.stm|title=Gervais writing US Office episode|work=BBC News|access-date=25 January 2015|date=7 February 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402204635/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4687784.stm|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais has said that the episode "[[Episode Four (The Office, Series One)|Training]]" is his favourite, where Brent plays his guitar and sings. In 2021, on the show's 20th anniversary, he suggested the show would not have been produced in 2021 due to [[cancel culture]]: "I mean, now it would be cancelled. I'm looking forward to when they pick out one thing and try to cancel it. Someone said they might try to cancel it one day, and I say, 'Good let them cancel it—I've been paid!'"<ref>{{cite news|last=Meierhans|first=Jennifer|date=9 July 2021|title=Ricky Gervais: 'The Office would be cancelled now'|work=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57317470|access-date=9 July 2021}}</ref>

====''Extras''====
{{Main|Extras (TV series)}}
[[Extras (TV series)|''Extras'']] had its debut on the BBC on 21 July 2005; directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the sitcom ran for twelve episodes and starred Gervais as Andy Millman, a [[Extra (actor)|background artist]]. Millman is more self-aware and intentionally humorous than Gervais's ''The Office'' character David Brent. Guest stars on the first series of ''Extras'' include [[Ross Kemp]], [[Les Dennis]], [[Patrick Stewart]], [[Vinnie Jones]], [[Samuel L. Jackson]], [[Ben Stiller]], [[Kate Winslet]] and [[Francesca Martinez]]. A second series began on 14 September 2006 in the UK and featured appearances by [[Daniel Radcliffe]], [[Diana Rigg|Dame Diana Rigg]], [[Orlando Bloom]], [[Ian McKellen|Sir Ian McKellen]], [[Chris Martin]], [[Keith Chegwin]], [[Robert Lindsay (actor)|Robert Lindsay]], [[Warwick Davis]], [[Ronnie Corbett]], [[Stephen Fry]], [[Richard Briers]], [[Patricia Potter]], [[Sophia Myles]], [[Moira Stuart]], [[David Bowie]], [[Robert De Niro]] and [[Jonathan Ross]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/dec/28/lastnightstvextras|title=Extras attacked celebrity – with a little help from George Michael, David Tennant et al|work=The Guardian|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130613/http://www.theguardian.com/culture/tvandradioblog/2007/dec/28/lastnightstvextras|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:JonathanRossRickyGervais.jpg|thumb|Gervais (right) with [[Jonathan Ross]] at [[Live 8]] in [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], London, July 2005]]
A Christmas special of ''Extras'' aired on 27 December 2007 in the UK and on 16 December 2007 in the US, featuring guest appearances by [[George Michael]], [[Clive Owen]], [[Gordon Ramsay]], Jonathan Ross and [[David Tennant]].

A ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' article remarks that, in making ''Extras'', Gervais was influenced by [[Larry David]]'s ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'', particularly in the format of celebrities making fools of themselves or subverting their public personas.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Berkowitz|first=Joe|date=20 July 2011|title=The Curb Effect: How Larry David Changed Comedy Forever|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-lists/the-curb-effect-how-larry-david-changed-comedy-forever-17436/|access-date=25 January 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>

In 2007, Gervais won the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series]] for his portrayal of Andy Millman in the second series of ''Extras''. As Gervais was not present at the awards ceremony, the trophy was accepted on his behalf by [[Steve Carell]], the actor who starred as regional manager [[Michael Scott (The Office)|Michael Scott]]—the counterpart to Gervais's David Brent—on [[The Office (U.S. TV series)|the American adaptation of ''The Office'']].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/lat-accep-carel_johsi3nc20090817152500-photo.html |title=Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell accept Ricky Gervais' Emmy |newspaper=LA Times |date=5 November 2017 |access-date=10 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110171509/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/lat-accep-carel_johsi3nc20090817152500-photo.html |archive-date=10 November 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====''The Ricky Gervais Show''====
''[[The Ricky Gervais Show (animated series)|The Ricky Gervais Show]]'' is an animated TV show adapted from the podcast of the same name that debuted on US cable network [[HBO]] on 19 February 2010.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/gervais-series-hbo-1013291/|title=Ricky Gervais Gets Animated for New HBO Series|last=Stanhope|first=Kate |date=22 December 2009|work=[[TV Guide]] | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026214901/http://www.tvguide.com/news/gervais-series-hbo-1013291/ | archive-date=26 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/01/tca-press-tour.html|title=TCA press tour: Ricky Gervais finds comedy gold in a round-headed minion|last=Press|first=Joy|date=14 January 2010|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=11 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411204721/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/01/tca-press-tour.html|archive-date=11 April 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> In the UK, the first series began airing on 23 April 2010 on Channel 4. The show was developed using original podcast recordings from ''[[The Ricky Gervais Show]]'' starring Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington. After receiving an enthusiastic following in the US, HBO recommissioned the show for a second series, which aired in 2011,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/24/ricky-gervais-show-hbo | title=Ricky Gervais Show gets second HBO series | date=24 March 2010 | work=The Guardian | location=London | access-date=22 May 2010 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219064302/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/mar/24/ricky-gervais-show-hbo | archive-date=19 December 2013 | url-status=live }}</ref> and a third series in 2012.

====''Life's Too Short''====
{{Main|Life's Too Short (TV series)}}

''[[Life's Too Short (TV series)|Life's Too Short]]'' began airing on [[BBC Two]] on 10 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sykes|first=Jaine|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/2011/06/lifes-too-short-1.shtml|title=Life's Too Short|publisher=BBC Blog|access-date=4 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902030959/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/comedy/2011/06/lifes-too-short-1.shtml|archive-date=2 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media |date=10 October 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2TtqePh3xw |title=Tweet That! {{!}} Life's Too Short |publisher=Ricky Gervais |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014024820/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2TtqePh3xw |archive-date=14 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais and Stephen Merchant wrote this sitcom from an idea by [[Warwick Davis]]. It is described by Gervais as being about "the life of a showbiz [[Dwarfism|dwarf]]" and as "a cross between ''Extras'' and ''The Office''". The show stars actor Davis playing a fictionalised version of himself, as well as Gervais and Merchant.<ref name=Guardian>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/24/ricky-gervais-lifes-too-short|title=Ricky Gervais plans Life's Too Short film|date=24 August 2010|access-date=15 September 2010|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Ben|last=Child|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105061601/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/aug/24/ricky-gervais-lifes-too-short|archive-date=5 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Premium cable channel HBO, which co-produced the series with the BBC, had the US rights and began airing the series on 19 February 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ricky-Gervais-Steven-Merchant-Warwick-Davis-Tease-Life-Too-Short-36112.html|title=Ricky Gervais, Steven Merchant, And Warwick Davis Tease Life's Too Short|publisher=Cinemablend.com|date=17 October 2011|access-date=13 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123190829/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ricky-Gervais-Steven-Merchant-Warwick-Davis-Tease-Life-Too-Short-36112.html|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326379/ricky-gervais-lifes-too-short-heads-for-hbo.html |title=Ricky Gervais 'Life's Too Short' heads for HBO – US TV News |website=Digital Spy |date=23 June 2011 |access-date=11 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119014745/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a326379/ricky-gervais-lifes-too-short-heads-for-hbo.html |archive-date=19 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====''An Idiot Abroad''====
{{Main|An Idiot Abroad}}
''[[An Idiot Abroad]]'' is a travel documentary produced by Gervais and Stephen Merchant in which a reluctant Karl Pilkington travels around the world, with his reactions to people and places recorded. Occasionally, Gervais and Merchant call to surprise him with a new place to visit or task to do. Pilkington reports back mostly complaining about the situation. Gervais says there is no planning; a camera crew follows his friend around filming for many hours, which Gervais edits down to an hour each episode.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11326209|title=Ricky Gervais says show with Karl Pilkington is real|work=BBC News|date=16 September 2010|access-date=6 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100918225945/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/11326209|archive-date=18 September 2010|url-status=live}}</ref>

Two series and a Christmas special have aired; series one involves Pilkington visiting the [[Seven Wonders of the World]]. In the second show, he chooses to complete tasks from a bucket list provided by Gervais, and in the special, Warwick Davis joins Pilkington on a journey following [[Marco Polo]]'s route from Italy to China.

====''Derek''====
{{Main|Derek (TV series)}}
In November 2011, Gervais filmed in London a 35-minute pilot episode for a potential [[comedy-drama]] series called ''[[Derek (TV series)|Derek]]'', which aired on Channel 4 on 12 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |author=Plumplard.com |date=August 2004 |url=http://rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruthe.php |title=Ricky Gervais... Obviously |publisher=Rickygervais.com |access-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301201705/http://www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruthe.php |archive-date=1 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a371991/ricky-gervaiss-derek-noakes-sitcom-pilot-to-air-on-channel-4-in-april.html |title=Ricky Gervais's Derek Noakes sitcom pilot to air on Channel 4 in April |website=Digital Spy |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=19 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321092758/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a371991/ricky-gervaiss-derek-noakes-sitcom-pilot-to-air-on-channel-4-in-april.html |archive-date=21 March 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The pilot is solely written and directed by Gervais and features him in the title role of Derek Noakes, a 49-year-old [[retirement home]] worker, who "loves animals, [[Rolf Harris]], [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]], ''[[Deal or No Deal]]'', ''[[The Million Pound Drop Live|Million Pound Drop]]'', and ''[[Britain's Got Talent]]''." The character first appeared in a [[2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] sketch as an aspiring comedian who loves animals and still lives with his mother.<ref>{{cite web |first=Simone |last=Mitchell |url=http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-people/celebrity-news/ricky-gervais-gives-us-a-sneak-peek-at-his-new-show-derek-20120320-1vgh5.html |title=Ricky Gervais gives us a sneak peek at his new show 'Derek' |work=Daily Life |publisher=Dailylife.com.au |date=20 February 2012 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205004209/http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-people/celebrity-news/ricky-gervais-gives-us-a-sneak-peek-at-his-new-show-derek-20120320-1vgh5.html |archive-date=5 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/ricky-gervais-new-sitcom-derek-to-pilot-on-channel/263268 |title=Ricky Gervais' new sitcom 'Derek' to pilot on Channel 4 next month &#124; Film & TV News |publisher=Nme.Com |date=20 March 2012 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204212549/http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/ricky-gervais-new-sitcom-derek-to-pilot-on-channel/263268 |archive-date=4 December 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> Gervais's co-host [[Karl Pilkington]] makes his acting debut as Derek's friend and facilities-caretaker Dougie who also works in the retirement home. British comedian [[Kerry Godliman]] plays Derek's best friend Hannah and [[David Earl (actor)|David Earl]] plays Kev.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derek/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1 |title=Derek |publisher=[[Channel 4]] |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406075047/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/derek/episode-guide/series-1/episode-1 |archive-date=6 April 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Gervais said that the series is about "kindness [being] more important than anything else". He added: "It's about the forgotten—everyone's forgotten. It's all these arbitrary people who didn't know each other, and they're in there now because they're in the last years of their life. And it's about the people who help them, who themselves are losers and have their own problems. It's about a bunch of people with nothing, but making the most of it, and they're together." He chose to set the sitcom in a retirement home after he watched ''[[Secret Millionaire]]''—"It was always these people with huge problems who were helping other people. I thought about having Derek help old people because no one cares about old people in this country&nbsp;... I think it's perfect for now."<ref name=independentderek>{{cite news|last=Gilbert|first=Gerard|title='Mock the disabled? Me?': Ricky Gervais on how he has been misunderstood|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/mock-the-disabled-me-ricky-gervais-on-how-he-has-been-misunderstood-7621909.html|work=The Independent|access-date=9 April 2012|date=6 April 2012|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408234756/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/mock-the-disabled-me-ricky-gervais-on-how-he-has-been-misunderstood-7621909.html|archive-date=8 April 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Channel 4 commissioned a full series of ''Derek'' that aired in early 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-commissions-series-of-derek-by-ricky-gervais |title=commissions series of Derek by Ricky Gervais – Channel 4 – Info – Press |publisher=Channel 4 |date=9 May 2012 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140731071544/http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-commissions-series-of-derek-by-ricky-gervais |archive-date=31 July 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Derek'' was recommissioned for a second series, which premiered on 23 April 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/000001071/channel_4_recommission_ricky_gervais_derek_series |title=Channel 4 recommission Ricky Gervais's Derek – News – British Comedy Guide |publisher=Comedy.co.uk |date=4 March 2013 |access-date=31 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140830194200/http://www.comedy.co.uk/news/story/000001071/channel_4_recommission_ricky_gervais_derek_series/ |archive-date=30 August 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Derek'' ended with a one-off final special,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a610920/ricky-gervaiss-derek-to-air-final-episode-in-december.html?rss#~oVZZugEYY8cySM|title=Ricky Gervais's Derek to air final episode in December|website=Digital Spy|date=18 November 2014|access-date=28 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924230956/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a610920/ricky-gervaiss-derek-to-air-final-episode-in-december.html?rss#~oVZZugEYY8cySM|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK on 22 December 2014.

====''After Life''====
{{Main|After Life (TV series)}}

On 9 May 2018, it was announced that [[Netflix]] had given a production order for the first season of the comedy drama ''[[After Life (TV series)|After Life]]''. It was created and directed by Gervais, who also starred in it and executive-produced it with Duncan Hayes, with [[Charlie Hanson]] as producer; the series premiered on 8 March 2019.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Goldberg |first1=Lesley |date=21 February 2019 |title=Ricky Gervais to Create, Star in Netflix Scripted Comedy Series 'After Life' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ricky-gervais-create-star-netflix-scripted-comedy-series-life-1110165 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509194114/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ricky-gervais-create-star-netflix-scripted-comedy-series-life-1110165 |archive-date=9 May 2018 |access-date=9 May 2018 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |title=Ricky Gervais' Netflix Series 'After Life' Sets March Premiere Date |url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/ricky-gervais-netflix-series-after-life-march-premiere-date-1202534816/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=21 February 2019 |date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203024844/https://deadline.com/2019/01/ricky-gervais-netflix-series-after-life-march-premiere-date-1202534816/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 3 April 2019, Netflix renewed the series for a second season, which launched on 24 April 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/life-starring-ricky-gervais-renewed-season-2-at-netflix-1199128|title='After Life,' Starring Ricky Gervais, Renewed for Season 2 at Netflix|last=Goldberg|first=Lesley|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=3 April 2019|access-date=3 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403160843/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/life-starring-ricky-gervais-renewed-season-2-at-netflix-1199128|archive-date=3 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=When is season 2 of Ricky Gervais series After Life released? |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/after-life-season-2/ |access-date=17 March 2022 |website=Radio Times }}</ref> In May 2020, it was announced that Gervais had signed a new deal with Netflix, including a third season of ''After Life''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Gervais Inks Netflix Overall Deal; 'After Life' Renewed for Season 3 (Exclusive) {{!}} Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/ricky-gervais-inks-netflix-deal-life-renewed-season-3-1293539|access-date=10 November 2020|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=6 May 2020}}</ref> Before the announcement Gervais said, "For the first time ever, I would do a series three, because the world's so rich. I love the characters, I love all the actors in it, I love my character, I love the town, I love the themes… I love the dog!"<ref>{{cite web|title=After Life season 3 confirmed by Ricky Gervais after second series' Netflix success|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-05-07/after-life-season-3-ricky-gervais/|access-date=10 November 2020|website=Radio Times}}</ref>

===Stand-up comedy===
Gervais began his stand-up career in the late 1990s. His first successful show was at the Café Royal as part of the [[2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]].<ref>{{cite web |date=3 August 2001 |title=Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme 2001 by Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society – Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/edinburgh_festival_fringe/docs/2001_fringe_programme |access-date=17 February 2024 |website=issuu.com }}</ref> Titled ''Rubbernecker'', it also featured [[Jimmy Carr]], [[Robin Ince]] and Stephen Merchant.<ref>{{cite web|last=Logan|first=Brian|date=9 December 2009|title=Review of the decade: Comedy|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2009/dec/09/review-of-the-decade-comedy|access-date=29 December 2020|website=The Guardian}}</ref>

Gervais toured the UK in 2003 with his stand-up show ''[[Animals (comedy)|Animals]]''. The ''[[Politics (comedy)|Politics]]'' tour followed a year later. Both shows were recorded for release on [[DVD-Video|DVD]] and television broadcast. The third part of the themed live trilogy, ''[[Fame (comedy)|Fame]]'', took place in 2007. It started in [[Glasgow]] in January and ended in [[Sheffield]] in April. [[Blackpool]] reported selling out of tickets within 45 minutes of them going on sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/12/13/4816/what_a_sell-out|title=What a sell-out, Huge demand for Gervais tour|access-date=15 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123120152/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2006/12/13/4816/what_a_sell-out|archive-date=23 November 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> [[The Review Show|''Newsnight Review'']]'s panel saw ''Animals'' during its [[UCL Bloomsbury|Bloomsbury]] run and covered it in January 2003. They were not favourable, with ''[[Private Eye]]'' editor [[Ian Hislop]] saying it was "cobbled together&nbsp;... banal&nbsp;... a bit flat".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/2654105.stm|title=BBC News, 13 January 2003|date=13 January 2003|access-date=27 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090524024353/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/2654105.stm|archive-date=24 May 2009|url-status=live}}</ref> After this, Gervais closed each show by calling Hislop an "ugly little pug-faced cunt".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a179513/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-ricky-gervais.html|title=Ten Things You Never Knew About Ricky Gervais|website=Digital Spy|first=Alex|last=Fletcher|date=30 September 2009|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a179513/ten-things-you-never-knew-about-ricky-gervais.html|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/2654105.stm|title=Newsnight Review discussed Ricky Gervais one man show Animals at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London.|publisher=BBC|access-date=24 January 2015|date=13 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/newsnight/review/2654105.stm|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Fame'' was the subject of some controversy in January 2007 when Gervais included a routine, ostensibly about how people will do anything to become famous, referring to [[Ipswich serial murders|the murder of prostitutes in Ipswich]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Gervais apologetic over 'killing' joke|url=http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/gervais_apologetic_over_killing_joke_1_112739|website=Ipswich Star|date=16 January 2007|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220205933/http://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/gervais_apologetic_over_killing_joke_1_112739|archive-date=20 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:GervaisPall230921 (12 of 17) (51527645068).jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|Gervais on stage at the [[London Palladium]] in the [[West End theatre|West End]], September 2021]]
Gervais's fourth show was entitled ''[[Science (comedy)|Science]]'', and commenced with an eleven-date tour in August 2009 at the [[Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre]] in [[Glasgow]].<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2004 |url=http://www.rickygervais.com/sciencelive.php |title=Ricky Gervais... Obviously |publisher=Rickygervais.com |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102005501/http://rickygervais.com/sciencelive.php |archive-date=2 January 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The DVD was released on 15 November 2010.<ref>[http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/13647021/Ricky-Gervais-Live-4-Science/Product.html "Ricky Gervais Live 4: Science"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323083312/http://www.play.com/DVD/DVD/4-/13647021/Ricky-Gervais-Live-4-Science/Product.html |date=23 March 2010 }} Play.com. Retrieved 5 April 2010.</ref> In November 2009, he headlined the sixth annual [[New York Comedy Festival]] at [[Carnegie Hall]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8105764.stm|title=Gervais to lead NY comedy event|work=BBC News|access-date=25 January 2015|date=17 June 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403043201/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8105764.stm|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Gervais announced that his next stand-up show would be called ''Humanity''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-17/ricky-gervais-returning-to-stand-up-comedy-i-think-it-will-be-my-angriest-yet|title=Ricky Gervais returning to stand-up comedy: "I think it will be my angriest yet"|work=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163316/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-01-17/ricky-gervais-returning-to-stand-up-comedy-i-think-it-will-be-my-angriest-yet|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2014, he said he was too busy to do the tour due to producing two films.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-12-08/ricky-gervais-why-my-humanity-live-stand-up-tour-is-on-hold-for-now|title=Ricky Gervais Why My Humanity Live Stand Uo Tour is On Hold for Now|work=Radio Times|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402175135/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-12-08/ricky-gervais-why-my-humanity-live-stand-up-tour-is-on-hold-for-now|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2016, Gervais performed stand-up in London, starting with some low key warm-ups with cast members from ''Derek''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-03-29/ricky-gervais-is-performing-stand-up-gigs-in-london-this-may|title=Ricky Gervais is performing stand up gigs in London this May|work=Radiotimes|access-date=1 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404204106/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2016-03-29/ricky-gervais-is-performing-stand-up-gigs-in-london-this-may|archive-date=4 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He said: "Finally, I'm going to do some stand-up. The first in about six years if you don't count hosting the [[Golden Globes]]".

He continued his ''[[Ricky Gervais: Humanity|Humanity]]'' show throughout 2017 and into 2018. He appeared at [[SF Sketchfest]] as part of the tour, which devoted a night in honour of him, alongside comedic legend and mentor [[Christopher Guest]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Ricky Gervais to appear at SF Sketchfest before taking on 'Humanity'|url=http://www.sfchronicle.com/performance/article/Ricky-Gervais-to-appear-at-SF-Sketchfest-before-12473686.php|website=SF Chronicle|date=5 January 2018|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203005651/http://www.sfchronicle.com/performance/article/Ricky-Gervais-to-appear-at-SF-Sketchfest-before-12473686.php|archive-date=3 February 2018|url-status=live |last1=Meyer |first1=By Carla }}</ref> His next tour and [[Netflix]] special ''SuperNature'' was announced in late 2018, where Gervais warned people not to travel to see "work in progress" as it would be a "shambles". ''SuperNature'' shows continued through 2019 and 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2018/04/20/39738/ricky_gervais_announces_his_first_supernature_gigs|title=Ricky Gervais announces his first SuperNature gigs |date=20 April 2018 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |access-date=3 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503180400/http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2018/04/20/39738/ricky_gervais_announces_his_first_supernature_gigs|archive-date=3 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Following significant cancellations and postponements as a result of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], the ''SuperNature'' tours resumed in August 2021.<ref>{{cite tweet |last=Gervais |first=Ricky |author-link=Ricky Gervais |user=rickygervais |number=1424117296050618374 |date=7 August 2021 |title=My sold out world tour, #SuperNature resumes next week. Can't wait. I hate to brag, but I've just ordered a brand new wash bag from Amazon. Should be here tomorrow. Making a list of things to buy to put in it. I'll keep you updated. https://t.co/zMDPOTb3oi |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006180952/https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1424117296050618374 |archive-date=6 October 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref> ''SuperNature'' received criticism for jokes about [[transgender]] people.<ref>{{cite web |last=Earl |first=William |date=24 May 2022 |title=Ricky Gervais' Netflix Special Draws Criticism for Graphic Jokes Mocking Trans People |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/ricky-gervais-trans-jokes-netflix-special-supernature-1235275966/ |access-date=24 May 2022 |website=Variety }}</ref> It won the Best Stand-Up Show at the National Comedy Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Winners unveiled at National Comedy Awards for Stand Up To Cancer {{!}} Channel 4 |url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/winners-unveiled-national-comedy-awards-stand-cancer |website=www.channel4.com}}</ref> In May 2023, in the world-wide tour of his comedy special, ''Armageddon'', he was reported to have a earned £1.41 million for a single stand-up gig, at the [[Hollywood Bowl]], the highest-grossing one-off gig ever by a British comedian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://virginradio.co.uk/entertainment/107377/ricky-gervais-stand-up-gig-history-armageddon|title=Ricky Gervais makes history by earning £1.41million for ONE gig &#124; Virgin Radio UK|date=19 May 2023|website=virginradio.co.uk}}</ref> The show was released on [[Netflix]] on 25 December 2023 but faced controversy for making a joke about [[cancer]] patients.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Abbey |title=Ricky Gervais Says Critics Are "Faux" Offended After Petition Asks Netflix to Remove Material From New Special 'Armageddon' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/ricky-gervais-netflix-armageddon-special-cancer-disability-joke-criticism-1235767907/ |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=22 December 2023}}</ref> The special later won for "Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television" at the [[81st Golden Globe Awards]], but Gervais didn't attend the ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hibberd |first=James |title=Ricky Gervais Wins Best Stand-Up Special at Golden Globes Despite Controversy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/ricky-gervais-stand-up-comedian-winner-2024-golden-globes-1235781477/ |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=8 January 2024}}</ref>

====Animation====
One of the first animations Gervais voiced was the character of Penguin in [[Robbie the Reindeer]]'s ''Legend of the Lost Tribe''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/n2kph/robbie-the-reindeer-in-legend-of-the-lost-tribe|title=Robbie the Reindeer in Legend of the Lost Tribe|work=Radio Times|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402163526/http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/n2kph/robbie-the-reindeer-in-legend-of-the-lost-tribe|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He had a starring role in [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney's]] ''[[Valiant (film)|Valiant]]'', with [[Ewan McGregor]], [[John Cleese]] and [[Jim Broadbent]], as pigeon Bugsy.

Gervais guest-starred in an episode of ''[[The Simpsons]]'' entitled "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]". He is the only British comic to write and star in a ''Simpsons'' episode. The episode was the highest-rated in [[Sky One]]'s history; it revolved around the angle that Gervais was the episode's sole writer (and the first guest star on the show to also receive a writing credit for the episode of his appearance). Gervais clarified the extent of his input in a joint interview (with Christopher Guest) for ''[[Dazed & Confused (magazine)|Dazed and Confused]]'' magazine (January 2006): "No, all I did was put down a load of observations on an email and they made it look like a ''Simpsons'' script. I'm going to get the credit, but I think everyone in the industry knows it was a joint effort". Asked in a separate interview about how his idea for the episode (in which Homer swaps Marge on a game show) came about, Gervais replied: "I've always been fascinated with reality game shows but I think it was my girlfriend's idea. We watch ''[[Big Brother (UK)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' at the moment, we watch ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!|I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here...]]'' we watch all those reality TV shows—''The Office'' came out of those docu-soaps".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukula.com/TorontoArticle.aspx?SectionID=3&ObjectID=1665&CityID=3|title=Interview at UKULA|access-date=15 November 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211162524/http://www.ukula.com/TorontoArticle.aspx?SectionID=3&ObjectID=1665&CityID=3|archive-date=11 December 2007|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais, a longstanding ''Simpsons'' fan, presented a segment to mark the show's 20th anniversary on [[BBC Two]]'s ''[[The Culture Show]]'' on 16 June 2007.

In 2012, Gervais made a guest appearance on ''[[Family Guy]]'' in the episode titled "[[Be Careful What You Fish For]]". In the episode, Gervais plays a dolphin named Billy Finn who gives [[Peter Griffin]] a [[Mercedes-Benz]] hood ornament, and Peter half-heartedly promises a favour to him. Soon, Billy moves to Quahog but outstays his welcome at Peter's. Peter tries to reunite Billy with his ex-wife in hopes that he will return to the ocean. The episode also featured [[Lucy Davis]], with whom Gervais starred in ''The Office''.<ref>{{cite web|title= Be Careful What You Fish For|url= https://www.avclub.com/family-guy-be-careful-what-you-fish-for-1798171619|work= The A.V Club|last= MacFarland|first= Kevin|date= 20 February 2012|access-date= 15 April 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120419163051/http://www.avclub.com/articles/be-careful-what-you-fish-for%2C69550/|archive-date= 19 April 2012|url-status= live}}</ref>

====Guest star on television series====
Gervais had a cameo role in [[Simon Pegg]]'s and [[Jessica Hynes]]'s sitcom ''[[Spaced]]'' as Dave, an estate agent who mistakenly places the advertisement for a property for a couple that turns out to be the premise of the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/feature/a579366/happy-birthday-ricky-gervais-7-scene-stealing-cameos-from-comedy-star.html#~p2oa1c5wLBcUfz|title=Happy birthday, Ricky Gervais: 7 scene-stealing cameos from comedy star|website=Digital Spy|date=25 June 2014|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101150210/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/feature/a579366/happy-birthday-ricky-gervais-7-scene-stealing-cameos-from-comedy-star.html#~p2oa1c5wLBcUfz|archive-date=1 November 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais has also guest-starred on ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' (in the third-season episode "[[Alias season 3#Façade|Façade]]") as Daniel Ryan, a former Royal Navy bomb-disposal specialist turned rogue [[Irish Republican Army]] bomb-maker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://onlineathens.com/stories/031404/fea_20040314019.shtml#.VbD0FUrXerU|title=Ricky Gervais takes on an 'Alias'|publisher=Online Athens|access-date=23 July 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723181824/http://onlineathens.com/stories/031404/fea_20040314019.shtml#.VbD0FUrXerU|archive-date=23 July 2015}}</ref> He has also made guest appearances on ''[[Sesame Street]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sesame-celebrity-lullabies/ricky-gervais-celebrity-lullabies-sesame-street/|title=Ricky Gervais: Celebrity Lullabies {{!}} Sesame Street|website=PBS LearningMedia|access-date=31 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901044354/https://ca.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sesame-celebrity-lullabies/ricky-gervais-celebrity-lullabies-sesame-street/|archive-date=1 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Louis C.K.]] had Gervais play Dr Ben, his doctor, on two episodes of his series ''[[Louie (U.S. TV series)|Louie]]''. Gervais broke into his trademark hysterical laugh every time his character made Louie the butt of a joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/louie-dr-ben-nick-1798165389|title=Louie: "Dr. Ben/Nick"|work=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=6 July 2010 |access-date=1 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325122645/http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/louie-dr-bennick-42838|archive-date=25 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In early 2015, Gervais guest-starred in ''[[Galavant]]'', a four-week comedy mini-series, as Xanax the magician. It aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] and Gervais got to show off his singing skills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.go.com/shows/galavant/news/updates/141124-galavant-has-the-holy-grail-of-guest-stars-ricky-gervais-john-stamos-weird-al-yankovic-rutger-hauer|title=Guest Starring John Stamos, Weird Al, Rutger Hauer & Ricky Gervais|publisher=[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315034740/http://abc.go.com/shows/galavant/news/updates/141124-galavant-has-the-holy-grail-of-guest-stars-ricky-gervais-john-stamos-weird-al-yankovic-rutger-hauer|archive-date=15 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/2015/01/13/galavant_star_mallory_jansen_ricky_gervais_took_one_look_at_the_script_and_was_like_alright_i_got_this/|title="Galavant" star Mallory Jansen: "Ricky Gervais took one look at the script and was like, alright, I got this"|work=Salon|access-date=8 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314033657/http://www.salon.com/2015/01/13/galavant_star_mallory_jansen_ricky_gervais_took_one_look_at_the_script_and_was_like_alright_i_got_this/|archive-date=14 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Entertainment====
[[File:Ricky Gervais 2010.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Gervais in 2010]]
Gervais made a cameo appearance on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' in a Digital Short, during which he joked that ''The Office'' was adapted from a Japanese programme of the same name (with Steve Carell reprising his role as Michael Scott). The sketch re-creates scenes from the American and British pilot episode with Japanese elements (although in an exaggerated way). "It's funny", Gervais laughs at the end, "because it's racist".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a437948/ricky-gervais-to-host-saturday-night-live.html|title=Ricky Gervais to host 'Saturday Night Live'?|date=13 November 2012|website=Digital Spy|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131750/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a437948/ricky-gervais-to-host-saturday-night-live.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais hosted the [[67th Golden Globe Awards|67th]], [[68th Golden Globe Awards|68th]], [[69th Golden Globe Awards|69th]], [[73rd Golden Globe Awards|73rd]] and [[77th Golden Globe Awards]]. His appearance in 2010 made him the first master of ceremonies since 1995. He stated: "I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down."<ref>{{cite news| first=Gina| last=DiNunno| title=Ricky Gervais to Host Golden Globes| url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Ricky-Gervais-Host-1011235.aspx| work=TV Guide| access-date=19 October 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112204521/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Ricky-Gervais-Host-1011235.aspx| archive-date=12 January 2012| url-status=live}}</ref> His performance as host received a mixed response, with positive reviews from the ''[[New York Daily News]]'' and the [[Associated Press]], but also some negative comments from ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8464994.stm|title=Ricky Gervais gets mixed response at the Golden Globes|date=18 January 2010|work=BBC News|access-date=3 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128163557/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8464994.stm|archive-date=28 January 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> His 2011 hosting of the awards was controversial for his jokes that were at the expense of many of the nominees, similar to the [[New York Friars Club]] [[Roast (comedy)|roast-style]] jokes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12206235|title=Globes host Ricky Gervais explains ceremony absence|date=17 January 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=17 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119010040/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12206235|archive-date=19 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> His jibes were described as setting "a corrosive tone" by one critic, though some celebrities were seen crying from laughter, leaving the overall reaction to be 'mixed'.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12205469|title=Mixed reaction to Ricky Gervais as Golden Globes host|date=17 January 2011|work=BBC News|access-date=17 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110119014717/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12205469|archive-date=19 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/01/ricky-gervais-opens-golden-globes-with-shot-at-sheen/1|title=Ricky Gervais opens Golden Globes with shot at Sheen|date=16 January 2011|work=[[USA Today]]|access-date=17 January 2011|first=Ann|last=Oldenburg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110120111526/http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/01/ricky-gervais-opens-golden-globes-with-shot-at-sheen/1|archive-date=20 January 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais responded: "They are my friends, but I had to play the outsider."<ref name=":0" /> His 2020 hosting performance, particularly the opening monologue, garnered both praise and criticism from the public and press. He later responded to the negative media coverage by [[Twitter|tweeting]]: "I always knew that there were morons in the world that took jokes seriously, but I'm surprised that some journalists do." He also stated several times during the opening monologue that it would be his final appearance as host,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2020/01/08/ricky-gervais-defends-his-humor-after-hosting-2020-golden-globes/2842320001/|title=After his controversial Golden Globes hosting, Ricky Gervais defends his humor|last=Moniuszko|first=Sara M.|website=USA Today|access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref> though he made a similar declaration during his first hosting performance in 2010.

Gervais was a guest judge on [[Jerry Seinfeld]]'s NBC show ''[[The Marriage Ref (U.S. TV series)|The Marriage Ref]]'' alongside Larry David and [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=http://watching-tv.ew.com/2010/03/11/the-marriage-ref-madonna-2/ | title=Madonna, Larry David, Ricky Gervais on 'The Marriage Ref': 'This is the weirdest show I've ever been on | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | access-date=11 March 2010 | location=New York | first=Ken | last=Tucker | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314033220/http://watching-tv.ew.com/2010/03/11/the-marriage-ref-madonna-2/ | archive-date=14 March 2010 | url-status=live }}</ref> He has also been a regular guest on Seinfeld's ''[[Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee]]''. ''Talking Funny'', which first aired on 28 April 2011, starred Gervais and fellow standup comedians [[Louis C.K.]], [[Chris Rock]] and Jerry Seinfeld having an informal round-table discussion on stand-up comedy. This one off HBO special was well received by critics & audience alike.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,909739070001_2066028,00.html|title=Ricky Gervais Talks to TIME - Video - TIME.com|magazine=Time|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119101526/http://content.time.com/time/video/player/0,32068,909739070001_2066028,00.html|archive-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/review-hbos-talking-funny-an-insightful-entertaining-hour-about-stand-up-comedy|title=Review: HBOs Talking Funny an insightful, entertaining hour about stand-up comedy|work=[[HitFix]]|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121030611/http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/whats-alan-watching/posts/review-hbos-talking-funny-an-insightful-entertaining-hour-about-stand-up-comedy|archive-date=21 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ricky-Gervais-Louis-C-K-Jerry-Seinfeld-Chris-Rock-Talking-Funny-HBO-Next-Month-30838.html|title=Ricky Gervais, Louis C.K, Jerry Seinfeld And Chris Rock Are Talking Funny On HBO Next Month|date=22 March 2011|publisher=CinemaBlend.com|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119095016/http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Ricky-Gervais-Louis-C-K-Jerry-Seinfeld-Chris-Rock-Talking-Funny-HBO-Next-Month-30838.html|archive-date=19 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, Gervais guest starred in ''[[David Blaine]]: Real or Magic'', a television special where Blaine proceeded to run a large needle through his forearm in front of Gervais.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a532677/ricky-gervais-freaks-harrison-ford-gasps-david-blaines-best-tricks.html|title=Ricky Gervais freaks, Harrison Ford gasps: David Blaine's best tricks|first=Catriona|last=Wightman|website=Digital Spy|date=20 November 2013|access-date=20 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231050655/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a532677/ricky-gervais-freaks-harrison-ford-gasps-david-blaines-best-tricks.html|archive-date=31 December 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Talk shows====
In January 2006, Gervais interviewed [[Larry David]] in a one-off special, ''Ricky Gervais Meets... Larry David''. On 25 and 26 December 2006 he interviewed [[Christopher Guest]] and [[Garry Shandling]] which aired on Channel 4. There are no plans for further episodes of ''Meets...'', although editions with [[Monty Python]] co-founder [[John Cleese]] and ''The Simpsons'' creator [[Matt Groening]] were recorded in 2006 for broadcast in 2007.<!--"for broadcast in 2007" begs the question, "Were these actually broadcast in 2007?"--> A source claimed, "The Shandling experience put him off for good".<ref name="gervais_salute">Deedes, Henry. (2007). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/by-george-we-salute-you-for-your-indefatigability-430845.html "PANDORA: By George, we salute you for your indefatigability"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808071046/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/pandora/by-george-we-salute-you-for-your-indefatigability-430845.html |date=8 August 2016 }}, Independent News and Media Limited. Retrieved 22 July 2007.</ref>

In January 2009, Gervais was a guest on BravoTV ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]'' season 15 with [[James Lipton]], where at one point of the interview he answered Lipton's question as David Brent, his character from ''The Office''. Brent obliged the audience by singing his song "Freelove Freeway" with a guitar supplied to him by Lipton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio/season-15/ricky-gervais-0|title=Inside the Actors Studio Season 15 Ricky Gervais|publisher=[[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]]|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123100227/http://www.bravotv.com/inside-the-actors-studio/season-15/ricky-gervais-0|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Gervais has been on ''[[The Late Show with David Letterman]]'' 26 times.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lateshowletterman.tumblr.com/post/92569206069/ricky-gervais-arrives-for-his-26th-appearance-on|title=Ricky Gervais arrives for his 26th appearance on Late Show!|work=[[Late Show with David Letterman]]|access-date=22 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150119095432/http://lateshowletterman.tumblr.com/post/92569206069/ricky-gervais-arrives-for-his-26th-appearance-on|archive-date=19 January 2015}}</ref> In 2008, he helped Letterman read out the ''Late Show'' Top Ten List, Top Ten Stupid Things Americans Say To Brits.<ref>{{cite web|title=Top Ten Stupid Things Americans Say To Brits|work=Late Show with David Letterman|access-date=21 January 2015|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/top_ten/129424/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123100043/http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/top_ten/129424/|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In mid-2014, upon hearing that Letterman was up for retirement, Gervais jokingly tried to discourage him by suggesting they go on a road trip where they would spend all their money.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/video/4A1B5E54-75F2-6E61-8208-60D7DDA89718/david-letterman-ricky-gervais-on-dave-s-retirement/|title=Ricky Gervais|publisher=[[CBS]]|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150123100307/http://www.cbs.com/shows/late_show/video/4A1B5E54-75F2-6E61-8208-60D7DDA89718/david-letterman-ricky-gervais-on-dave-s-retirement/|archive-date=23 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais has appeared on the BBC's ''[[The Graham Norton Show]]'' many times over the years. He has been on [[Graham Norton]]'s couch with Stephen Merchant, co-creator and co-writer of ''The Office'', to promote ''Cemetery Junction''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016y981|title=The Graham Norton Show, Series 10 Episode 3|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b016y981|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Another appearance saw him talk about his series [[Life's Too Short (TV series)|''Life's Too Short'']]; [[Johnny Depp]], who was there to promote his own film, was also present.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s2s45|title=The Graham Norton Show, Series 7 Episode 1|publisher=BBC|access-date=21 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00s2s45|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Video games===
Gervais is one of two featured comedians (the other being [[Katt Williams]]) in the video game ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' who performs at the Split Sides comedy club on the virtual stand-up stage and as an interviewee on the in game radio station ''We Know The Truth''. For the [[Stand-up comedy|stand-up]] bit a special three-minute act was written, recorded and fully motion-captured.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/380990/british-office-star-ricky-gervais-appears-in-gta-iv|title=British Office Star Ricky Gervais Appears in GTA IV|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080420090813/http://kotaku.com/380990/british-office-star-ricky-gervais-appears-in-gta-iv|archive-date=20 April 2008}}</ref>

===Books===
====''Flanimals''====
Gervais released a children's book in 2004, ''[[Flanimals]]'' (illustrated by Rob Steen), which depicted nonsense animals. After the success of this book, he released its sequel ''[[More Flanimals]]'' in 2005, with ''[[Flanimals of the Deep]]'' coming the next year. A new Flanimals book, ''[[Flanimals: The Day of the Bletchling]]'', was released in October 2007. ''Flanimals: Pop Up'' was also published in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |author=Plumplard.com |date=August 2004 |url=http://www.rickygervais.com/flanimals.php |title=Ricky Gervais... Obviously |publisher=Rickygervais.com |access-date=13 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913111407/http://www.rickygervais.com/flanimals.php |archive-date=13 September 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Published television scripts====
''The Office'' scripts have been released in book form, with series one issued in 2002,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/846584|title=The Office: Scripts Series 1|publisher=Goodreads.com|access-date=25 January 2015}}</ref> and the remaining episodes following in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-563-48741-8#path/978-0-563-48741-8|title=The Office: Scripts Series 2|work=[[Publishers Weekly]]|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144818/http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-563-48741-8#path/978-0-563-48741-8|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Extras: The Illustrated Scripts: Series 1 & 2'' has been released, as well.<ref>{{cite book|isbn=978-0316030397|title=Extras: The Illustrated Scripts: Series 1 & 2|last1=Freeman|first1=Pamela|date=30 November 2006|publisher=Little, Brown }}</ref>

====Other books====
''[[The World of Karl Pilkington]]'' was presented by Gervais and Merchant. These were essentially transcripts of [[Xfm]] shows podcasts and featured illustrations by Pilkington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/karl+pilkington/stephen+merchant/ricky+gervais/the+world+of+karl+pilkington/3823254/|title=The World of Karl Pilkington|publisher=Waterstones.com|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209144847/http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/karl+pilkington/stephen+merchant/ricky+gervais/the+world+of+karl+pilkington/3823254/|archive-date=9 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Film===
Gervais's film career has included supporting roles as the voice of a pigeon, Bugsy, in 2005's ''[[Valiant (film)|Valiant]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/19/movies/19vali.html?_r=0|title=These Pigeons are Doing Part for the War|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 January 2015|first=Stephen|last=Holden|date=19 August 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403040323/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/19/movies/19vali.html?_r=0|archive-date=3 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> as a [[studio executive]] in 2006's ''[[For Your Consideration (film)|For Your Consideration]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/movies/17cons.html|title=For Your Consideration (2006) The Cast of a Film Catches a Bad Case of the Oscars|work=The New York Times|access-date=25 January 2015|first=Stephen|last=Holden|date=17 November 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402195711/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/17/movies/17cons.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> as museum director Dr. McPhee in 2006's ''[[Night at the Museum]]'' and its sequels ''[[Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian]]'' and ''[[Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb]]'', and as "Ferdy the Fence" in the 2007 film ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/pictures/the-long-funny-career-of-ricky-gervais-20110404/stardust-2007-0635669l|title=The Funny Career of Ricky Gervais|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=25 January 2015}}{{dead link|date=August 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Gervais starred in ''[[Ghost Town (2008 film)|Ghost Town]]'' (2008) as a dentist who sees spirits,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/26/ghost-town-ricky-gervais|title=Ghost Town Ricky Gervais|work=The Guardian|date=25 October 2008|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210133223/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/oct/26/ghost-town-ricky-gervais|archive-date=10 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Ghost Town (2008)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8c620230|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190505043016/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8c620230|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 May 2019|access-date=1 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref> and was in [[Lowell, Massachusetts|Lowell]], Massachusetts during May 2008 filming his next project, ''[[The Invention of Lying]]'' (2009), in which he starred alongside [[Jennifer Garner]], [[Rob Lowe]] and Louis C.K.. The social comedy, was co-written and co-directed by Gervais and [[Matthew Robinson (director)|Matt Robinson]].<ref name="variety">{{cite news | first=Michael | last=Fleming | url=https://variety.com/2007/film/markets-festivals/ricky-gervais-to-star-in-truth-2-1117971879/ | title=Ricky Gervais to star in 'Truth' | work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=12 September 2007 | access-date=13 September 2007 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070918123355/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117971879.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | archive-date=18 September 2007 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=The Invention of Lying (2009)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8ca1b5c3|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190308033456/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8ca1b5c3|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 March 2019|access-date=1 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref> Gervais and collaborator Stephen Merchant made a film called ''[[Cemetery Junction (film)|Cemetery Junction]]'', set in 1970s Britain, about class, love and fulfilment.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 2004 |url=http://www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php |title=Ricky Gervais... Obviously |publisher=Rickygervais.com |access-date=21 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102015726/http://rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php |archive-date=2 January 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was released in April 2010. Gervais starred in ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]'' (2014) as Dominic Badguy, the partner of the movie's villain, [[Constantine (Muppet)|Constantine]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Zakarin|first=Jordan|title=Disney Reveals Muppet Movie Sequel's Name and Synopsis|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/muppets-again-new-muppets-movie-416805|access-date=6 July 2022|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=30 January 2013}}</ref>

Gervais directed and starred in, ''[[Special Correspondents]]'', which began filming in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/02015011612688/ricky-gervais-is-in-toronto-scouting-locations|title=Ricky Gervais is in Toronto scouting locations|work=Hello Magazine Canada|date=16 January 2015|access-date=29 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205154118/http://ca.hellomagazine.com/film/02015011612688/ricky-gervais-is-in-toronto-scouting-locations|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php|title=Ricky Gervais.com The Website of Ricky Gervais... Obviously.|publisher=Ricky Gervais (official site)|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206033020/http://www.rickygervais.com/thissideofthetruth.php|archive-date=6 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The comedy stars [[Eric Bana]] as a journalist and Gervais as his assistant. They pretend to report news from a war torn country but in actuality they are safe in New York.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/ricky-gervais-special-correspondents-remake-1201341524/|title=Ricky Gervais' 'Special Correspondents' Remake: Gervais Boards Comedy – Variety|work=Variety|access-date=5 February 2015|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=31 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226043525/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/ricky-gervais-special-correspondents-remake-1201341524/|archive-date=26 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on Netflix. Gervais directed and starred in the 2016 film ''[[David Brent: Life on the Road]]'', a [[mockumentary]] following David Brent, a character first seen in ''The Office'' series, as he lives his dream of being a rockstar.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/05/ricky-gervais-david-brent-film_n_5651072.html|title=Ricky Gervais Confirms Feature-Length David Brent Mockumentary Film, 'Life On The Road'|work=The Huffington Post UK|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204225424/http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/05/ricky-gervais-david-brent-film_n_5651072.html|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/ricky-gervais|title=Ricky Gervais|work=ShortList Magazine|date=30 June 2011|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231011346/http://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/ricky-gervais|archive-date=31 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On 5 November 2015 Gervais signed up to play Ika Chu, a villainous cat, in an animated film ''[[Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank]]'', originally known as ''Blazing Samurai''. The movie is about a dog (Hank) played by [[Michael Cera]], who wants to be a warrior and fights with Ika Chu for the town of Kakamucho.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/ricky-gervais-blazing-samurai-1201633788/|title=Ricky Gervais Joins Comedy 'Blazing Samurai'|work=Variety|date=4 November 2015|access-date=5 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151107195217/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/ricky-gervais-blazing-samurai-1201633788/|archive-date=7 November 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2023, the BBC aired ''7 Minutes'', a short film about two people wanting to commit suicide at the same train station. Directed by Gervais, the film is part of the station's ''Comedy Shorts'' series and was released in May 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/ricky-gervais-bbc-comedy-short-films-jon-petrie-1235377924/|title=Ricky Gervais Sets First BBC Project In A Decade As Comedy Shorts Unveiled|website=Deadline|last=Goldbart|first=Max|date=24 May 2023|access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/7-minutes/|title=7 Minutes|website=British Comedy Guide|access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref> In March 2023, Gervais had teased the project when he tweeted a photograph from the setting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/rickygervais/status/1636425012058963979?lang=en-GB|title=This is the setting for a short film I'm making.|website=Twitter|date=16 March 2023|access-date=24 May 2023}}</ref>

===Other appearances===
[[File:Ricky Gervais performing 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|Ricky Gervais performing at [[Tribeca Performing Arts Center]] in New York in 2007]]
On 2 July 2005, Gervais appeared at the [[Live 8]] event held in London's [[Hyde Park, London|Hyde Park]], where he performed his famous dance from ''The Office''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.charlesarthur.com/blog/2005/07/06/more-live-8-fun-that-ricky-gervais-dancing-clip/|title=More Live 8 Fun: the Ricky Gervais Dancing Clip|work=Charles Aurthur|date=6 July 2005|access-date=25 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402110608/http://www.charlesarthur.com/blog/2005/07/06/more-live-8-fun-that-ricky-gervais-dancing-clip/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Concert for Diana and Live Earth===
On 1 July 2007, Gervais performed at the [[Concert for Diana]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]], a music event celebrating the life of [[Diana, Princess of Wales|Princess Diana]] 10 years after her death.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/concertfordiana/timeline/ |title=Concert for Diana – What happened minute by minute |work=BBC News |access-date=17 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410200805/http://www.bbc.co.uk/concertfordiana/timeline/ |archive-date=10 April 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Towards the end of the event—after a pre-recorded introduction from Ben Stiller—Gervais appeared along with fellow ''Office'' star Mackenzie Crook. They performed "[[Free Love Freeway]]", a song previously heard in the fourth episode of series one of ''The Office''. Due to a technical problem, Gervais then had to fill time until he was able to re-introduce [[Elton John]] to close the show, so he did the David Brent dance, as well as singing the "Little Fat Man" song as performed by David Bowie in episode two of the second series of ''Extras''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.metafilter.com/57740/Pathetic-little-fat-man-noones-bloody-laughing|title=Ricky Gervais Has Lost It|publisher=Metafilter.com|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205162037/http://www.metafilter.com/57740/Pathetic-little-fat-man-noones-bloody-laughing|archive-date=5 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In July 2007, following Gervais's appearance at the memorial concert for the Princess of Wales, ''The Guardian'' ran a column by ''[[Daily Mirror]]'' television critic [[Jim Shelley (TV critic)|Jim Shelley]] entitled "Call Me Crazy... But Has Ricky Gervais Lost It?", where he described Gervais as a "tiresome embarrassment". The following week, ''The Guardian'' noted that Gervais had responded with "an exhilaratingly foul-mouthed tirade" on his website, concluding with the sentence "yes I am resting on my fucking laurels you cunt!" In this video, Gervais mocked Jim Shelley typing the words "resting on his laurels" as Gervais jokingly lashed out by stating that he was resting on his laurels and that he was not going to make another show for television, quipping: "What's the point? What is there to beat?"<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2007/jul/11/rickygervaishaslostit|title=Ricky Gervais Has Lost It|work=The Guardian|access-date=2 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402155445/http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2007/jul/11/rickygervaishaslostit|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gervais has homes in [[Hampstead]], London,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1547788/Ricky-Gervais-digs-himself-into-big-trouble.html |title= Ricky Gervais digs himself into big trouble | work = The Daily Telegraph |date= 6 April 2007 |access-date=3 July 2011 |location=London |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110629005045/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1547788/Ricky-Gervais-digs-himself-into-big-trouble.html |archive-date=29 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Marlow, Buckinghamshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/news/14434385.a-list-star-ricky-gervais-pays-275m-for-country-retreat-in-marlow/|title=A-list star's new 'country retreat' in Marlow|website=Bucks Free Press|date=19 April 2016 }}</ref> He also has an apartment in the [[Barbizon 63]] building in [[Manhattan]], New York City.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://observer.com/2011/09/ricky-re-buys-in-the-barbizon/ |title=Ricky Gervais Laughs Again at The Barbizon |date=28 September 2011 |access-date=3 February 2020 |first=Elise |last=Knutsen |work=The Observer |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111002064948/https://observer.com/2011/09/ricky-re-buys-in-the-barbizon/ |archive-date=2 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> He has been in a relationship with producer and author [[Jane Fallon]] since 1982, and states they have chosen not to marry because "there's no point in us having an actual ceremony before the eyes of God because there is no God" or have children because they "didn't fancy dedicating 16 years of [their] lives{{nbsp}}… and there are too many children, of course".<ref>{{cite news |first=Camilla |last=Long |work=[[The Times]]|title=Ricky Gervais: Bad parents should be sterilised. Fact|date=31 January 2010|access-date=30 October 2012|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7009550.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101028150231/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article7009550.ece |archive-date=28 October 2010 | location=London}}</ref>

He has been [[Veganism|vegan]] for some time.<ref name="webber2022">{{cite news |last=Webber |first=Jemima |date=21 January 2022 |title=Animal Rights Advocate Ricky Gervais Finally Reveals He Is Vegan | work = Plat based news | url= https://plantbasednews.org/news/celebrities/ricky-gervais-vegan/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | publisher =BBC | title = The Graham Norton Show, Series 31, Episode 10 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001t4tr |access-date=9 December 2023 |website= One}}</ref> He is an [[Atheism|atheist]] and a [[Secular humanism|humanist]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/ac3d08ea|title=BBC Radio 4 – Factual&nbsp;— Desert Island Discs&nbsp;— Ricky Gervais|access-date=5 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403060002/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/desert-island-discs/castaway/ac3d08ea|archive-date=3 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BHA">{{cite web|url=https://humanism.org.uk/about/our-people/patrons/ricky-gervais/|title=Patrons: Ricky Gervais|publisher=British Humanist Association|access-date=7 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/https://humanism.org.uk/about/our-people/patrons/ricky-gervais/|archive-date=16 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> abandoning religion at the age of eight. In December 2010, he wrote an op-ed for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' explaining his atheism.<ref>Gervais, Ricky. (19 December 2010) [https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/ Ricky Gervais: Why I'm an Atheist] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715050845/https://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/12/19/a-holiday-message-from-ricky-gervais-why-im-an-atheist/ |date=15 July 2017 }}. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved 13 December 2011.</ref> He is an honorary associate of the British [[National Secular Society]]<ref>{{cite web|title=National Secular Society Honorary Associates|url=https://secularism.org.uk/honorary-associates.html|website=National Secular Society|access-date=26 August 2019}}</ref> and a patron of [[Humanists UK]], a British charity that promotes the humanist worldview and campaigns for a [[secular state]] and on [[human rights]] issues.<ref name="BHA"/> On 3 September 2019, he received the 2019 [[Richard Dawkins Award]], which recognises people who proclaim "the values of [[secularism]] and [[rationalism]], upholding scientific truths wherever it may lead." Gervais received the award during a [[Centre for Inquiry]]-sponsored ceremony at London's Troxy Theatre. [[Richard Dawkins]] praised Gervais as a "witty hero of atheism and reason".<ref>{{cite journal |title=2019 Richard Dawkins Award Goes to Ricky Gervais |journal=[[Skeptical Inquirer]] |date=November–December 2019 |volume=43 |issue=6 |page=6}}</ref>

Gervais is a fan of the [[UFC]] and [[Reading F.C.|Reading Football Club]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/19/ricky-gervais-interview-q-and-a|title=Q&A: Ricky Gervais|first=Rosanna|last=Greenstreet|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 April 2014|access-date=12 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713003111/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/19/ricky-gervais-interview-q-and-a|archive-date=13 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/5-famous-you-may-have-had-no-idea-supported-reading/5/|title=FIVE famous faces who actually support Reading FC &#124; Football League World – Part 5|first=Sam|last=Rourke|date=7 July 2020|website=footballleagueworld.co.uk|access-date=30 December 2020}}</ref> He is a music fan and has stated that his hero is [[David Bowie]], with his favourite song being "[[David Bowie (1969 album)|Letter to Hermione]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ricky-gervais-pens-tribute-david-855258|title=Ricky Gervais Pens Tribute to David Bowie: "I Never Forgot He Was My Hero"|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=13 January 2016|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160330131913/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ricky-gervais-pens-tribute-david-855258|archive-date=30 March 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/ricky-gervais-on-meeting-his-idol-and-the-perfect-david-bowie-pl/|title=Ricky Gervais on meeting his idol and the perfect David Bowie playlist|website=The Telegraph|date=11 January 2016|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422041951/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/artists/ricky-gervais-on-meeting-his-idol-and-the-perfect-david-bowie-pl/|archive-date=22 April 2016|url-status=live|last1=McNulty|first1=Bernadette}}</ref> He has also stated that his first experience of a live music gig was watching [[Iggy Pop]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=3670 |title=Ricky Gervais |date=21 June 2004 |access-date=8 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040621113706/http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=3670 |archive-date=21 June 2004 }}</ref> In 2013, he wrote that [[Lou Reed]] was "one of the greatest artists of our time" following Reed's death.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/david-bowie-and-morrissey-lead-tributes-to-late-singer-lou-reed-8909193.html|title=David Bowie and Morrissey lead tributes to late singer Lou Reed|website=The Independent|access-date=8 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423175625/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/david-bowie-and-morrissey-lead-tributes-to-late-singer-lou-reed-8909193.html|archive-date=23 April 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais is one of the 100 contributors to the book, ''Dear NHS: 100 Stories to Say Thank You'', of which all proceeds go to [[NHS Charities Together]] and [[The Lullaby Trust]].<ref>{{cite news |last= Moore |first= Sam |date= 17 April 2020 |title= Paul McCartney and Ricky Gervais among 100 contributors to 'Dear NHS' charity book |url= https://www.nme.com/news/music/paul-mccartney-ricky-gervais-among-100-contributors-to-dear-nhs-100-stories-to-say-thank-you-charity-book-2648805 |work= NME |access-date= 26 August 2021}}</ref>

Gervais is a supporter of [[LGBT rights by country or territory|gay rights]] and has praised the introduction of [[Same-sex marriage in the United Kingdom|same-sex marriage in England and Wales]] as "a victory for all of us", saying "anything that promotes equality, promotes progress ... You can't take equality 'too far'."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-03-29/ricky-gervais-calls-law-change-a-victory-for-all-of-us/|title=Ricky Gervais calls law change 'a victory for all of us'|publisher=ITV|date=29 March 2014|access-date=1 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401044523/http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-03-29/ricky-gervais-calls-law-change-a-victory-for-all-of-us/|archive-date=1 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais has attracted criticism for the content of his stage routines and social media posts which have been called [[transphobic]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Chilton |first=Louis |date=24 May 2022 |title=Ricky Gervais: Netflix viewers condemn 'toxic', 'transphobic' and 'ignorant' new special |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/ricky-gervais-netflix-transphobic-supernature-b2086074.html |access-date=22 June 2024 |work=The Independent }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ricky Gervais Goes All-In With Transphobia Again In 'SuperNature' |url=https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/2022/5/24/ricky-gervais-goes-all-transphobia-again-supernature |access-date=22 June 2024 |website=www.advocate.com }}</ref>

In June 2017, Gervais endorsed [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] leader [[Jeremy Corbyn]] in the [[2017 UK general election]]. He tweeted: "OK. I'm not telling you how to vote, but this is a fact. The only vote that will keep [[Theresa May]] out is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn. Cheers."<ref name="standard">{{cite news|last=Ruby|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/ricky-gervais-backs-jeremy-corbyn-for-prime-minister-it-s-the-only-vote-that-will-keep-theresa-may-a3557356.html|title=Ricky Gervais backs Jeremy Corbyn for Prime Minister: 'It's the only vote that will keep Theresa May out'|location=London|newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=5 June 2017|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170608114838/http://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/ricky-gervais-backs-jeremy-corbyn-for-prime-minister-it-s-the-only-vote-that-will-keep-theresa-may-a3557356.html|archive-date=8 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Social media===
Gervais joined [[Twitter]] in December 2009 when he first hosted the 66th Golden Globes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ricky-gervais-rejoins-twitter-242869|title=Ricky Gervais Rejoins Twitter|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=30 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150412122310/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ricky-gervais-rejoins-twitter-242869|archive-date=12 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> After a two-year hiatus, he returned to the platform in September 2011.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-10/05/ricky-gervais-twitter|title=I may have been wrong about Twitter|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|first=Ricky|last=Gervais|access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150318025025/http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2011-10/05/ricky-gervais-twitter|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> In 2012, Gervais won a [[Shorty Award]] for Lifetime Achievement for his popular presence on social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/first-look-ricky-gervais-accepts-shorty-award/167414|title=Ricky Gervais Accepts Shorty Avard|work=[[AdWeek]]|first=Richard|last=Horgan|date=30 March 2012 |access-date=30 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130523/http://www.adweek.com/fishbowlny/first-look-ricky-gervais-accepts-shorty-award/167414|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> As of July 2022, he was followed by 15 million fans whom he calls 'Twonks'.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interviewly.com/i/ricky-gervais-sep-2013-redditp|title=Ricky Gervais reddit AMA – September 2013|publisher=Interviewly.com|access-date=30 March 2015}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Gervais uses social media to promote his work to his fans. After ten years, he brought back his character Brent on his [[YouTube]] channel in a web series ''Learn Guitar with David Brent''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.openculture.com/2013/05/ricky_gervais_presents_learn_guitar_with_david_brent.html|title=Ricky Gervais Presents Learn Guitar with David Brent|work=Open Culture|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105409/http://www.openculture.com/2013/05/ricky_gervais_presents_learn_guitar_with_david_brent.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-07-15/ricky-gervais-breaks-2m-barrier-for-learn-guitar-with-david-brent|title=Ricky Gervais Breaks 2 Million Barrier for Learn Guitar for David Brent|work=Radio Times|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208052058/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-07-15/ricky-gervais-breaks-2m-barrier-for-learn-guitar-with-david-brent|archive-date=8 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> He also posts contests or questions to his fans as promotion for his series.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/ricky-gervais-textswithgran_n_4157836.html|title=Ricky Gervais Asks the Twitterverse To Share Their Elders' Wisdom|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=30 March 2015|date=25 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402170447/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/25/ricky-gervais-textswithgran_n_4157836.html|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais uses social media to raise awareness of animal welfare. He tweets links to petitions to rescue animals from captivity, he highlights animals involved in scientific and biomedical research, and he encourages people to adopt dogs instead of buying them from breeders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/ricky-gervais-animal-lover-quotes/|title=10 Outrageously Awesome Quotes From Ricky Gervais That Prove He Is a Bonafide Animal Lover!|publisher=The One Green Planet|first=Jaimi|last=Dolmage|date=28 July 2014|access-date=31 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101723/http://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/ricky-gervais-animal-lover-quotes/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He won the [[Genesis Award]] from the Humane Society in March 2015 for his contribution to raising awareness for animal welfare on social media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.humanesociety.org/about/events/genesis_awards/2015-winners.html#.VP9yBH0Z0L0.twitter|title=Winners of the 2015 Genesis Awards|publisher=Humane Society|access-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313223421/http://www.humanesociety.org/about/events/genesis_awards/2015-winners.html#.VP9yBH0Z0L0.twitter|archive-date=13 March 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, he was named most influential London Twitter user.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/28/ricky-gervais-caitlin-moran-london-twitter-peerindex|title=Ricky Gervais pips Caitlin Moran as 'most influential' London Twitter user|work=The Guardian|date=28 August 2014|access-date=30 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402214756/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/aug/28/ricky-gervais-caitlin-moran-london-twitter-peerindex|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Charity work===
In 2002, Gervais took part in a charity [[boxing]] match against [[Grant Bovey]], for the UK charity telethon ''[[Comic Relief]]''. He was trained for the three-round contest by boxing trainer siblings [[Kellie Maloney|Kellie]] and Eugene Maloney, at their Fight Factory gymnasium. It was the second televised charity boxing match, the first being [[Bob Mortimer]] against [[Les Dennis]]. The fight was televised by the BBC, and Gervais came out on top by a [[split decision]] verdict.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1417456/Rocky-Gervais-has-a-knockout-paunch.html |title=Ricky Gervais Has a Knockout Paunch |work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |first=Tom |last=Leonard |access-date=31 January 2015 |location=London |date=31 December 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403105120/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1417456/Rocky-Gervais-has-a-knockout-paunch.html |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://kickass.so/ricky-gervais-the-fight-boxing-match-2002-avi-t2375100.html |title=Ricky Gervais The Fight (2002 Boxing Match) avi |publisher=Kickass.so |first=Tom |last=Leonard |access-date=31 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://kickass.so/ricky-gervais-the-fight-boxing-match-2002-avi-t2375100.html |archive-date=16 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He donated his £5,000 prize money to the training of a [[Macmillan Cancer Support|Macmillan nurse]] who specialised in cancer support.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1417456/Rocky-Gervais-has-a-knockout-paunch.html |title=Ricky Gervais has a knockout punch |first=Tom |last=Leonard |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=31 December 2002 |access-date=12 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117062913/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1417456/Rocky-Gervais-has-a-knockout-paunch.html |archive-date=17 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Gervais is a supporter of animal rights and has stated that he will leave his fortune to animal charities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/03/10/ricky-gervais-to-leave-fortune-to-animal-charities/|title=Ricky Gervais to Leave Fortune to Animal Charities|publisher=Ecorazzi.com|first=Michael|last=dEstries|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402093301/http://www.ecorazzi.com/2010/03/10/ricky-gervais-to-leave-fortune-to-animal-charities/|archive-date=2 April 2015|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Gervais named an [[Asian black bear]], also known as a moonbear, Derek, after the protagonist from his series ''Derek''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/media/news/news-archive/ricky-gervais-names-rescued-bear-after-comedy-creation.html|title=Ricky Gervais adopts Peace by Piece bear|publisher=Animal Asia|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128113047/https://www.animalsasia.org/intl/media/news/news-archive/ricky-gervais-names-rescued-bear-after-comedy-creation.html|archive-date=28 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2013, Gervais bought a $1000 cake shaped like a moonbear to raise funds for Animal Asia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.london24.com/news/ricky_gervais_flinches_from_cutting_too_cute_bear_shaped_cake_1_3110878|title=Ricky Gervais flinches from cutting 'too cute' bear-shaped cake|publisher=London24|access-date=24 January 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016221915/http://www.london24.com/news/ricky_gervais_flinches_from_cutting_too_cute_bear_shaped_cake_1_3110878|archive-date=16 October 2015}}</ref> Gervais is active in the prevention of illegal wildlife trade; he supported the handing over of ivory trinkets to the Metropolitan police in London.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/10/ricky-gervais-public-unwanted-wildlife-products|title=Ricky Gervais calls for public to hand in unwanted wildlife products|work=The Guardian|first=Adam|last=Vaughan|access-date=24 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216004915/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/jul/10/ricky-gervais-public-unwanted-wildlife-products|archive-date=16 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, Gervais donated a signed acoustic guitar to help raise funds for Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary in Ontario, Canada, with a special call-out to [[Pockets Warhol (capuchin monkey)|Pockets Warhol]].<ref name="TweetGuitar">{{cite web|last1=Gervais|first1=Ricky|title=Ricky Gervais tweets about donating guitar|url=https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIc_x_xWgAAGzcK.png:large|website=Twitter|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303125646/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CIc_x_xWgAAGzcK.png:large|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ebayguitar">{{cite web|title=Ricky Gervais – Personally Owned, Played/Used, and Signed Acoustic Guitar|url=http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181975883211|website=eBay|access-date=2 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303122552/http://www.ebay.ca/itm/181975883211|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TorStar20161216">{{cite news|last1=Casey|first1=Liam|title=Ricky Gervais' guitar raises $6,000 for Ikea monkey's sanctuary|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2016/01/15/ricky-gervais-guitar-raises-6000-for-ikea-monkeys-sanctuary.html|access-date=2 March 2017|agency=Canadian Press|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=15 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303124121/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2016/01/15/ricky-gervais-guitar-raises-6000-for-ikea-monkeys-sanctuary.html|archive-date=3 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The guitar, which was signed by Gervais, was purchased by Danny Young from the United Kingdom, who has since had the guitar signed by several celebrities in order to raise further funds for the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. Celebrities who signed the guitar include: [[Brian May]], [[Will Ferrell]], [[Bryan Cranston]], [[Dhani Harrison]], [[Peter Frampton]], [[Ricky Warwick]] and [[Steve Cutts]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2016/01/15/ricky-gervais-guitar-raises-6000-for-ikea-monkeys-sanctuary.html|title=Ricky Gervais' guitar raises $6,000 for Ikea monkey's sanctuary {{!}} The Star|work=thestar.com|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174739/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/2016/01/15/ricky-gervais-guitar-raises-6000-for-ikea-monkeys-sanctuary.html|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://hub.united.com/united-customer-embarks-rock-tour-2528886210.html|title=Customer Danny Young embarks on a rock royalty tour on United|date=26 January 2018|work=United Hub|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174352/https://hub.united.com/united-customer-embarks-rock-tour-2528886210.html|archive-date=18 July 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/seymour-duncan-guitar-demonstrator-danny-young-of-banbury-has-won-ricky-gervais-guitar-to-raise-money-for-a-primate-sanctuary-1-7170030|title=Seymour Duncan guitar demonstrator Danny Young, of Banbury, has won Ricky Gervais guitar to raise money for a primate sanctuary|access-date=18 July 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174717/https://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/seymour-duncan-guitar-demonstrator-danny-young-of-banbury-has-won-ricky-gervais-guitar-to-raise-money-for-a-primate-sanctuary-1-7170030|archive-date=18 July 2018 |url-status= live}}</ref>

In 2017, Gervais was awarded the Lord Houghton Award for Service to Animal Welfare from [[Animal Defenders International]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Ricky Gervais receives top award from animal welfare champions: 'The suffering Sickens me'|url= https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/790645/Ricky-Gervais-receives-top-award-animal-welfare-champions-cruelty|work=Daily Express |first=Stuart|last=Winter|access-date=25 February 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180226162647/https://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/790645/Ricky-Gervais-receives-top-award-animal-welfare-champions-cruelty|archive-date=26 February 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Gervais was also awarded the [[Humane Society International]] Cecil Award in 2018 for his frequent social media efforts to end trophy hunting.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hsi.org/news-media/ricky-gervais-to-be-awarded-110818/|title=Ricky Gervais to be awarded Humane Society International's Cecil Award at New York Gala to honor his campaigning to end trophy hunting | publisher = HSI |date= 8 November 2018|access-date=17 March 2020}}</ref>

In 2021, Gervais joined the [[Rewriting Extinction]] campaign to fight the climate and biodiversity crisis through comics.<ref>{{cite news |last=Turns |first=Anna |date=14 September 2021 |title=Rewriting extinction: Ricky Gervais joins celebrities creating comics to save species |work=The Guardian |url= https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/sep/14/rewriting-extinction-ricky-gervais-joins-celebrities-with-comic-to-save-species-aoe |access-date=9 August 2023 |issn=}}</ref> Gervais created the comic story "Bullfight" in collaboration with the illustrator [[Rob Steen]]. The comic was released in the book ''The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World'' on 28 October 2021 by [[DK (publisher)|DK]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World |publisher=DK |year=2021 |isbn=978-0241513514}}</ref>

== Influences ==
Gervais has cited [[Laurel and Hardy|Laurel & Hardy]], [[Groucho Marx]], [[Peter Cook]] and [[Christopher Guest]] as significant influences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ew.com/article/2006/09/01/what-makes-office-boss-tick-ricky-gervais-his-comedy-idols/|title=What makes the ''Office'' boss tick? Ricky Gervais on his comedy idols|website=EW.com|access-date=7 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803003053/http://www.ew.com/article/2006/09/01/what-makes-office-boss-tick-ricky-gervais-his-comedy-idols/|archive-date=3 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/ricky-gervais-and-christopher-guest-discuss-their-comedy-influen/|title=Ricky Gervais and Christopher Guest discuss their comedic influences|last=Video|first=Telegraph|date=13 October 2016|work=The Telegraph|access-date=7 September 2019|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171026155956/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/on-demand/0/ricky-gervais-and-christopher-guest-discuss-their-comedy-influen/|archive-date=26 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="hyena">{{cite web|url=http://www.hyenaproductions.com/ricky-gervais.aspx|title=Ricky Gervais 2008|work=Hyena Production|access-date=23 May 2015|archive-date=19 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119024155/https://www.hyenaproductions.com/ricky-gervais.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> The decision of [[John Cleese]] to stop making his acclaimed 1970s comedy sitcom ''[[Fawlty Towers]]'' after 12 episodes—when it was at its creative height—inspired Gervais in keeping his own sitcoms (''The Office'', ''Extras'' and ''Derek'') to 12 episodes each.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Berman |first1=Garry |title=Best of the Britcoms: From Fawlty Towers to The Office |date=2011 |publisher=Taylor Trade Publications |page=19}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=First episode of Fawlty Towers |url=https://www.bbc.com/historyofthebbc/anniversaries/september/fawlty-towers |access-date=29 June 2020|agency=BBC}}</ref> His comedy is observational and [[satirise]]s everyday life.<ref name="pbh">{{cite web|title=10 Great Ricky Gervais Quotes On Life, God, And Humor|date=16 August 2013|publisher=PBH Network|url=http://www.prosebeforehos.com/quote-of-the-day/08/16/ricky-gervais-quotes/#1|access-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216094721/http://www.prosebeforehos.com/quote-of-the-day/08/16/ricky-gervais-quotes/#1|archive-date=16 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/scientists-find-the-perfect-comedy-face-ricky-gervais-6230184.html|title=Scientists find the perfect comedy face: Ricky Gervais|work=Independent|access-date=23 January 2016|first=Matthew|last=Beard|date=9 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130083554/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/scientists-find-the-perfect-comedy-face-ricky-gervais-6230184.html|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304610404579405222905774180/|title=Ricky Gervais: Satire, Celebrity and the Muppets|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=23 January 2016|first=Alexandre|last=Wolfe|date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130021544/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304610404579405222905774180/|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Works==
=== Films ===

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Actor
! Director
! Writer
! Producer
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}
|-
| 2001
| ''[[Dog Eat Dog (2001 film)|Dog Eat Dog]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Bouncer
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thecinemaholic.com/ricky-gervais-net-worth/|title=Ricky Gervais Net Worth 2020 &#124; What is Ricky Gervais' Net Worth?|first=Kriti|last=Mehrotra|work=The Cinemaholic |date=23 April 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Valiant (film)|Valiant]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Bugsy
| Voice only
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Ricky-Gervais-Tim-Cook-Golden-Globes-Apple-TV-Plus-14951777.php|title=Ricky Gervais calls out Tim Cook, Apple TV+: 'Made by a company that runs sweatshops in China'|date=6 January 2020|website=SFGate}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2006
| ''[[For Your Consideration (film)|For Your Consideration]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Martin Gibb
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Observer_review/0,,2010388,00.html|title=For Your Consideration &#124; Reviews &#124; guardian.co.uk Film|website=www.theguardian.com}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Night at the Museum]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Dr. McPhee
|
| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-12-18/ricky-gervais-laughs-at-his-own-jokes-on-set-reveals-night-at-the-museum-co-star-ben-stiller/|title=Ricky Gervais laughs at his own jokes on set reveals Night at the Museum co-star Ben Stiller|website=Radio Times}}</ref>
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Stardust (2007 film)|Stardust]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Ferdy the Fence
|
| <ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/the-long-funny-career-of-ricky-gervais-21941/|title=The Long, Funny Career of Ricky Gervais|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=4 April 2011}}</ref>
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Ghost Town (2008 film)|Ghost Town]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Dr. Bertram Pincus
|
|<ref name=":1" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009
| ''[[Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Dr. McPhee
|
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian (2009)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d48a16c|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102172623/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d48a16c|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2019|access-date=1 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Invention of Lying]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Mark Bellison
| Co-written and co-directed with [[Matthew Robinson (writer)|Matthew Robinson]]
|<ref name=":2" />
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Cemetery Junction (film)|Cemetery Junction]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{partial|Executive}}
| Len Taylor
| Co-written and co-directed with [[Stephen Merchant]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Cemetery Junction (2010)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d7699a9|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104002246/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d7699a9|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 November 2016|access-date=1 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Spy Kids: All the Time in the World]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Argonaut 
| rowspan="2" | Voice only
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Wilson|first=MacKenzie|title=Ricky Gervais Earns Role in 'Spy Kids 4′|url=https://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/anglophenia/blog/2011/05/ricky-gervais-earns-role-in-spy-kids-4|access-date=3 October 2020|website=BBC America}}</ref>
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Escape from Planet Earth]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Mr. James Bing 
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Escape from Planet Earth (2013)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5317b0aeccc91|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509162722/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5317b0aeccc91|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 May 2019|access-date=3 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2014
| ''[[Muppets Most Wanted]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Dominic Badguy
|
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Muppets Most Wanted (2014)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5517c04cb324d|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302194928/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5517c04cb324d|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 March 2017|access-date=3 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Dr. McPhee
|
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Night at the Museum Secret of the Tomb (2014)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5494b524e1a7a|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180704114421/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/5494b524e1a7a|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 July 2018|access-date=1 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| 2015
| ''[[The Little Prince (2015 film)|The Little Prince]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| The Conceited Man 
| Voice only
| 
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[Special Correspondents]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| Ian Finch
| 
|
|-
| ''[[David Brent: Life on the Road]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| [[David Brent]]
| 
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Life on the Road (2016)|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/579ddabf7d64b|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529182652/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/579ddabf7d64b|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 May 2018|access-date=3 October 2020|website=BFI}}</ref>
|-
| 2020
| ''[[The Willoughbys]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{partial|Executive}}
| The Cat/Narrator
| rowspan=3| Voice only
|
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Save Ralph]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Documentary crew member
|<ref>{{cite web|last=Grobar|first=Matt|date=24 March 2021|title='Save Ralph' Teaser: Humane Society International Aims To Combat Animal Testing With Starry Stop-Motion Short|url=https://deadline.com/video/save-ralph-teaser-humane-society-international-taika-waititi-spencer-susser/|access-date=27 March 2021|website=Deadline}}</ref>
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank]]''
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| {{no}}
| Ika Chu 
|
|-
| 2023
| ''7 Minutes''
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{no}}
| {{yes}}
| {{N/A}}
|Short film
|
|-
|2025
|''[[Dog Man (film)|Dog Man]]''
|{{Yes}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|{{no}}
|Flippy the fish
|Voice only
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Actor
! Director
! Writer
! Executive Producer
! Creator
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
! class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1999 || ''[[Jim Tavaré|The Jim Tavaré Show]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Various || 7 episodes || 
|-
| ''[[Comedy Lab]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Clive Meadows || Episode: "Golden Years" ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2000 || ''[[The 11 O'Clock Show]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Various || 20 episodes ||
|-
| ''[[Bruiser (TV series)|Bruiser]]''|| {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || {{N/A}} ||
|-
| ''[[Meet Ricky Gervais]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Himself (host) || 6 episodes ||
|-
| 2001 || ''[[Spaced]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Dave || Episode: "Dissolution" ||
|-
| 2001–2003 || ''[[The Office (British TV series)|The Office]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}}|| [[David Brent]] || 14 episodes; Co-created, co-written and co-directed with [[Stephen Merchant]] ||
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Robbie the Reindeer|Robbie the Reindeer in Legend of the Lost Tribe]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Penguin || Voice; Television special ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2003 || ''[[Happiness (British TV series)|Happiness]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| rowspan="3" | Himself || Episode: "Real Dancing" ||
|-
| ''[[Animals (2003 film)|Ricky Gervais Live: Animals]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}}|| rowspan=2|Stand-up special ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2004 || ''[[Politics (2004 film)|Ricky Gervais Live 2: Politics]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}} || 
|-
| ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Daniel Ryan || Episode: "[[Alias season 3|Façade]]" ||
|-
| 2005–2007 || ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}}|| Andy Millman || 13 episodes; Co-created, co-written and co-directed with Stephen Merchant ||
|-
| 2005–2013 || ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]'' (U.S.) || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| David Brent || American remake of his show "The Office" co-created with Stephen Merchant<br/>Appeared in episodes: "[[The Seminar]]" and "[[Search Committee]]", and co-wrote "[[The Convict]]" with Stephen Merchant ||
|-
| 2006, 2011 || ''[[The Simpsons]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Charles Heathbar/Himself || Voice; 2 episodes and wrote episode "[[Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife]]" ||
|-
| 2007 || ''[[Fame (2007 film)|Ricky Gervais Live 3: Fame]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}} || rowspan="3" | Himself || rowspan=2| Stand-up special ||
|-
| 2008 || ''Ricky Gervais: Out of England'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}}|| <ref>{{cite web |last=Sousa |first=Len |date=31 March 2009 |title=Review: Ricky Gervais: Out of England: The Stand-Up Special on HBO DVD |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/ricky-gervais-out-of-england-the-stand-up-special/ |access-date= 11 April 2023 |website=Slant Magazine}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2009 || ''[[Sesame Street]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| 3 episodes ||
|-
| ''[[SpongeBob SquarePants]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Narrator || Voice; Episode: "[[SpongeBob's Truth or Square]]" ||
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2010 || ''[[67th Golden Globe Awards]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Himself (host) || Television special ||
|-
| ''[[Louie (American TV series)|Louie]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Dr. Ben || 2 episodes ||
|-
| ''Ricky Gervais: Out of England 2'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}}|| rowspan="4" | Himself || rowspan="2" |Stand-up special || <ref>{{cite web |title=Review: Ricky Gervais in "Out of England 2" on HBO, or as it's known in the U.K. on DVD: "Science" | work = The Comic's Comic |date=19 December 2010 |url= https://thecomicscomic.com/2010/12/19/ricky-gervais-in-out-of-england-2-on-hbo-or-as-its-known-in-the-uk-on-dvd-science/ |access-date=11 April 2023 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Science (film)|Ricky Gervais Live 4: Science]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}}||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2010–2012 || ''[[The Ricky Gervais Show (animated series)|The Ricky Gervais Show]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Voice; 39 episodes ||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-ricky-gervais-show |title=The Ricky Gervais Show – Channel 4 |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=28 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504075202/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-ricky-gervais-show |archive-date=4 May 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[An Idiot Abroad]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}} || 21 episodes ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2011 || ''[[68th Golden Globe Awards]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Himself (host) || rowspan="2" | Television special ||
|-
| ''[[Talking Funny (Television special)|Talking Funny]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}} || rowspan="3" | Himself ||
|-
| ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Episode: "The Hero" ||
|-
| 2011–2013 || ''[[Life's Too Short (TV series)|Life's Too Short]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || 7 episodes; Co-created with Stephen Merchant and [[Warwick Davis]] and co-written and co-directed with Stephen Merchant ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2012 || ''[[69th Golden Globe Awards]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Himself (host) || Television special
|-
| ''[[Family Guy]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Billy Finn || Voice; Episode: "[[Be Careful What You Fish For]]" ||
|-
| 2012–2014 || ''[[Derek (TV series)|Derek]]''|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Derek Noakes || 14 episodes ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015 || ''[[Galavant]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Xanax || Episode: "Dungeons and Dragon Lady" ||
|-
| ''[[BoJack Horseman]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Hedgehog at Orphanage || Voice; Episode: "[[Out to Sea (BoJack Horseman)|Out to Sea]]" ||
|-
| 2016 || ''[[73rd Golden Globe Awards]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Himself (host) || Television special ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2018 || ''[[Child Support (game show)|Child Support]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}} || rowspan="3" | Himself || ||
|-
| ''[[Ricky Gervais: Humanity]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{no}}|| Stand-up special ||
|-
| 2019 || ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''|| {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{no}} || {{no}}|| {{no}} || Voice; Episode: "Ollie Ollie In-Come Free!" ||
|-
| 2019–2022 || ''[[After Life (TV series)|After Life]]'' || {{yes}} || {{yes}}|| {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || Tony Johnson || 18 episodes ||
|-
| 2020 || ''[[77th Golden Globe Awards]]'' || {{yes}} || {{no}} || {{yes}} || {{no}}|| {{no}}|| Himself (host) || Television special ||
|-
| 2022|| ''Ricky Gervais: SuperNature''||{{yes}}||{{no}}||{{yes}}||{{yes}}||{{no}}|| rowspan="3" |Himself||Stand-up special Also music writer||
|-
| 2023 || ''Ricky Gervais: Armageddon''||{{yes}}||{{no}}||{{yes}}||{{yes}}||{{no}}|| rowspan="2" |Stand-up special||
|-
| || ''Ricky Gervais: Mortality''||{{yes}}||{{no}}||{{yes}}||{{yes}}||{{no}}||<ref>{{cite web |first=William |last=Earl |title=Ricky Gervais' Next Tour and Netflix Special Is 'Mortality': 'We're All Gonna Die, May As Well Have a Laugh About It' |work=Variety |date=27 June 2024 |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/ricky-gervais-mortality-tour-netflix-special-1236050781/|accessdate=27 September 2024}}</ref>
|}

=== Radio ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Title
! Station
! Role
! Notes
! {{Ref heading}}
|-
|1998
| rowspan="2" |[[The Ricky Gervais Show]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Radio X (United Kingdom)|XFM]]
| rowspan="2" |Self, co-host
|Presented with [[Stephen Merchant]]
|<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Chris |date=27 June 2015 |title=Stephen Merchant interview: 'I'll probably get in trouble for saying this...' |work=Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/theatre-features/11700874/stephen-merchant-interview-mentalists.html |access-date=19 November 2015}}</ref>
|-
|2001–2005
|Presented with [[Stephen Merchant]] and [[Karl Pilkington]]
|<ref name="telegraph" />
|-
|2017–2019
|Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius
|[[Sirius XM]]
|Self, host
|
|<ref name=":3" />
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | {{Ref heading}}
|-
| 2006 || ''[[Scarface: The World Is Yours]]'' || Simon Trent ||
|-
| 2008 || ''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' || Himself ||
|-
| 2009 || ''[[Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (video game)|Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian]]'' || Dr. McPhee ||
|}

==Awards and recognition==
{{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Ricky Gervais}}

Throughout his career, Gervais has won numerous awards, including seven [[British Academy Television Awards|BAFTA Awards]], five [[British Comedy Awards]], two [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Emmy Awards]], four [[Golden Globe Awards]], and the [[Rose d'Or]] twice (2006 and 2019). For his success in television, in 2006, the British public ranked him number 30 in [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]]'s poll of [[TV's 50 Greatest Stars]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/5142726.stm|title=ITV to salute '50 greatest stars'|date=3 July 2006|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref> In 2010, he was included in the ''[[Time 100]]'' list of World's Most Influential People.<ref name="Time 100"/>

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky|title=[[Flanimals]]|publisher=Putnam Juvenile |date= March 2005|isbn= 978-0-39924397-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky | author-mask = 3 |title=[[More Flanimals]] |publisher= Putnam Juvenile |date= March 2006 |isbn= 978-0-39924605-0}}
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky | author-mask = 3|title=[[Flanimals of the Deep]] |publisher= Faber Children's Books |date= October 2006|isbn= 978-0-57123403-5}}
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky | author-mask = 3|title=[[Flanimals: The Day of the Bletchling]] |publisher=Faber Children's Books|date=October 2007|isbn= 978-0-57123851-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky | author-mask = 3|title=Flanimals: A Complete Natural History |publisher=Faber Children's Books|date=December 2007|isbn= 978-0-57123850-7}}
* {{cite book|last=Gervais|first=Ricky | author-mask = 3|title=Flanimals Pop-up |publisher= Candlewick |date= March 2010 |isbn= 978-0-39924605-0|url-access=registration|url= https://archive.org/details/moreflanimals0000gerv}}
* {{cite book|last1=Gervais|first1=Ricky | author-mask = 3 |first2=Stephen|last2= Merchant |title= Extras: The Illustrated Scripts: Series 1 & 2|publisher=Little, Brown Book Group |date= November 2006|isbn= 978-0-31603039-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Gervais|first1=Ricky | author-mask = 3 |first2=Stephen |last2=Merchant | author-mask2 = 3 |title= The Office: The Scripts Series 1|publisher=BBC Books|date=August 2007 |isbn= 978-0-56348847-7}}
* {{cite book|last1=Gervais|first1=Ricky | author-mask = 3 |first2=Stephen|last2= Merchant | author-mask2 = 3 |title= The Office: The Scripts Series 2|publisher=BBC Books|date=August 2007 |isbn= 978-0-56348741-8}}
* {{cite book|last=Pilkington|first=Karl|title=[[The World of Karl Pilkington]] |publisher= Hachette Books|date= September 2006 |isbn= 978-1-40130342-6}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
===Interviews===
* Time Magazine (2008). [https://web.archive.org/web/20080914182820/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1840580,00.html ''Renaissance Man: Ricky Gervais''] by Joel Stein
* The Independent, et al. (2005). [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ricky-gervais-my-life-as-a-superstar-321354.html ''Ricky Gervais: My life as a pure superstar''] 
* The Guardian Newspaper, et al. (2005). [https://www.theguardian.com/theobserver/2005/jul/10/comedy.television "''Second Coming''"] by Tim Adams
* [http://bigthink.com/rickygervais Gervais's video interview on Big Think]
* [http://kempton.wordpress.com/2010/06/24/ricky-gervais-sir-peter-ustinov-award-for-comedy-2010-banff-world-tv-festival/ Video interview & acceptance speech of Ricky Gervais winning Sir Peter Ustinov Award for Comedy @2010 Banff World TV Festival]

==External links==
{{sister project links|d=Q23517|c=Category:Ricky Gervais|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|s=no|wikt=no|species=no}}
{{Wikiquote|The Ricky Gervais Show}}
* {{Official website|http://www.rickygervais.com}}
* {{IMDb name|315041}}
* {{Rotten-tomatoes-person|ricky_gervais|Ricky Gervais}}

{{Ricky Gervais}}
{{Navboxes
|title = [[Awards and nominations received by Ricky Gervais|Awards for Ricky Gervais]]
|list =
{{British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy Performance}}
{{BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyLeadActor 2001-2025}}
{{GoldenGlobeBestActorTVComedy 1990-2009}}
{{Golden Globe Award for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television}}
{{RTS Programme Award for Best Comedy Performance}}
{{Satellite Award Best Actor Motion Picture}}
{{TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

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