Ricky Gervais facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ricky Gervais |
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Gervais in 2021
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| Birth name | Ricky Dene Gervais |
| Born | 25 June 1961 Reading, Berkshire, England |
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| Alma mater | University College London (BA) |
| Years active | 1982–present |
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Ricky Gervais (born 25 June 1961) is a famous English comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for creating and starring in the British TV shows The Office, Extras, Derek, and After Life. He often worked with his friend Stephen Merchant on many of these projects.
Ricky Gervais has won many important awards for his work. These include seven BAFTA Awards, five British Comedy Awards, two Emmy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. In 2010, he was even named one of Time 100 magazine's most influential people in the world. He is also well-known for hosting the Golden Globe Awards five times.
Gervais started his career in the music business. He was a singer in a new-wave band called Seona Dancing in the 1980s. They had a hit song called "More to Lose" in the Philippines. Later, he managed the band Suede before becoming a comedian. He first appeared on TV in the late 1990s and quickly became known for his sharp wit.
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Early Life and Education
Ricky Gervais was born in Reading, Berkshire, England, on 25 June 1961. His father, Lawrence, was from Canada and served in the Second World War. His mother, Eva, was English. Ricky was the youngest of four children. He has three older siblings: Larry, Marsha, and Bob.
He went to Whitley Park Schools and then Ashmead Comprehensive School. After high school, he took a year off to work as a gardener. In 1980, he started studying at University College London (UCL). He first wanted to study biology but switched to philosophy. He earned a degree in philosophy in 1983. While at UCL, he met Jane Fallon, who has been his partner since 1982.
Comedy Career Highlights
Music Beginnings
Before comedy, Ricky Gervais tried to be a pop star. In 1983, he formed a band called Seona Dancing with his friend Bill Macrae. They released two songs, "More to Lose" and "Bitter Heart", but they weren't big hits in the UK. However, "More to Lose" became popular in the Philippines. Ricky also managed the band Suede before they became famous.
Later, Ricky brought back his character David Brent from The Office to perform music. He toured live with a band called Foregone Conclusion. He also released YouTube videos called 'Learn Guitar with David Brent' and a songbook with 15 songs.
Radio Shows and Podcasts
Ricky Gervais worked at a radio station called Xfm. He hired Stephen Merchant as his assistant. In 2001, after the first season of The Office, Ricky and Stephen started a Saturday radio show on Xfm. This is where they began working with Karl Pilkington, who produced their shows.
In 2005, Ricky, Stephen, and Karl started The Ricky Gervais Show as a free podcast. It quickly became super popular, even setting a Guinness World Record for the most downloaded podcast. People loved their funny conversations. They later released more podcast series and "Guide To..." audiobooks.
Television Success
Ricky Gervais first appeared on TV in 1998 in a show called Golden Years. He then became well-known for his outspoken humor on The 11 O'Clock Show. In 2000, he had his own chat show, Meet Ricky Gervais, which he later joked about not being very good.
The Office
Ricky Gervais became a huge star with The Office. He co-created, co-wrote, and starred in this mockumentary series with Stephen Merchant. It first aired in the UK in 2001. The show slowly gained popularity and became a massive hit.
The Office won a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2004, and Ricky also won for Best Actor. This award helped him become known in America. The show was so popular that it was remade in many countries, including the United States. Ricky and Stephen were also producers for the American version.
Extras
Following The Office, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created Extras, which started in 2005. Ricky starred as Andy Millman, a background actor trying to become famous. The show was known for having many real-life celebrities play funny, exaggerated versions of themselves. Stars like Ben Stiller, Kate Winslet, David Bowie, and Daniel Radcliffe appeared on the show.
In 2007, Ricky won an Emmy Award for his role in Extras.
Animated Shows
The Ricky Gervais Show was turned into an animated TV series in 2010, based on their popular podcast. Ricky, Stephen, and Karl Pilkington voiced their own characters. The show was very popular in the US and UK.
Ricky also voiced characters in animated films like Valiant and Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank. He even guest-starred in an episode of The Simpsons and Family Guy.
Life's Too Short
In 2011, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant created Life's Too Short. This comedy starred Warwick Davis (who played Professor Flitwick in Harry Potter) as a fictional version of himself. It was a mix of Extras and The Office, showing the funny side of a showbiz dwarf's life.
Derek
Ricky Gervais wrote, directed, and starred in the comedy-drama series Derek, which began in 2012. He played Derek Noakes, a kind-hearted worker at a retirement home. The show focused on the importance of kindness and helping others. Karl Pilkington also acted in the show as Derek's friend Dougie. The series ran for two seasons and a special episode.
After Life
Ricky Gervais created and starred in the Netflix series After Life, which premiered in 2019. He played Tony Johnson, a man struggling after losing his wife. The show explored themes of grief, kindness, and finding hope, often with dark humor. It became very popular and ran for three seasons.
Stand-up Comedy Tours
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Ricky Gervais started his stand-up comedy career in the late 1990s. He has performed several successful international tours:
- Animals (2003)
- Politics (2004)
- Fame (2007)
- Science (2009)
- Humanity (2017-2018)
- SuperNature (2019-2021)
- Armageddon (2023)
His stand-up shows are known for their observational humor and often touch on topics like everyday life, human nature, and social awkwardness. His Armageddon show in 2023 earned a record amount of money for a single comedy gig at the Hollywood Bowl.
Film Roles
Ricky Gervais has also appeared in many films. He played Dr. McPhee in the Night at the Museum trilogy (2006-2014). He starred in Ghost Town (2008) as a dentist who can see ghosts.
He also wrote, directed, and starred in:
- The Invention of Lying (2009), a romantic comedy where he plays the only person who can lie.
- Cemetery Junction (2010), a film set in the 1970s, co-directed with Stephen Merchant.
- Special Correspondents (2016), where he plays an assistant pretending to report from a war zone.
- David Brent: Life on the Road (2016), a mockumentary continuing the story of his character David Brent.
Books for Kids
Ricky Gervais wrote a series of children's books called Flanimals, starting in 2004. These books featured silly, imaginary animals with funny descriptions. He released several Flanimals books, including More Flanimals and Flanimals of the Deep.
Personal Life and Beliefs
Ricky Gervais lives in London and New York City. He has been with his partner, author Jane Fallon, since 1982. They have chosen not to get married or have children.
He is a vegan and a strong supporter of animal rights. He has said he plans to leave his money to animal charities. He often uses his social media to speak out against illegal wildlife trade and trophy hunting. He has received awards for his work in animal welfare.
Ricky Gervais is also an atheist and a humanist. He became an atheist at age eight. He supports LGBT rights and has spoken about the importance of equality.
Awards and Recognition
Ricky Gervais has won many awards for his comedy and acting. These include multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, BAFTA Awards, British Comedy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. In 2019, he received the Richard Dawkins Award for promoting secularism and reason.
Images for kids
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Ricky Gervais performing in New York in 2007
See also
In Spanish: Ricky Gervais para niños
