Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais – Life, Career, and Notable Quotes

Explore the life and work of Ricky Gervais (born June 25, 1961) — English comedian, writer, actor, and provocateur. Discover his biography, achievements, approach to writing and comedy, and memorable quotations.

Introduction

Ricky Dene Gervais (born June 25, 1961) is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director whose creative voice has left a major mark on modern comedy and popular culture.

Gervais is especially known for co-creating and starring in The Office (UK), for his boundary-pushing stand-up, and for his candid views on religion, fame, and human nature. His blend of observational humor, satire, and provocation has made him one of the most talked-about figures in 21st-century entertainment.

Early Life & Background

Ricky Gervais was born at Battle Hospital in Reading, Berkshire, England.

He was the youngest of four siblings.

He attended Whitley Park Infants and Junior Schools and then Ashmead Comprehensive School in Reading. University College London (UCL).

Before comedy, Gervais also had musical ambitions. In 1983, he formed the new wave duo Seona Dancing, which did not chart in the UK, though one of its songs gained popularity in the Philippines.

Career Highlights & Contributions

From Radio & Sketch to Breakthrough TV

Gervais’s early career included working in radio. He became the head of speech at the radio station Xfm, where he hired Stephen Merchant — forming a creative partnership that would become central to his career.

He made early television appearances in shows such as The 11 O’Clock Show on Channel 4, where his blunt, politically incorrect persona helped him garner attention. Golden Years (1999) with Merchant, in which he plays a Bowie-obsessed video store co-owner.

But his breakout success came with The Office (UK) (2001–2003), which he co-created, co-wrote, and starred in as David Brent. The Office’s dry, cringe-humor style deeply influenced modern sitcoms and led to numerous international adaptations (including in the U.S.).

He went on to create, write, and/or star in Extras (2005–2007), Derek (2012–2014), After Life (2019–2022), and Life’s Too Short (2011–2013).

Film, Stand-Up & Other Ventures

Gervais has had a prolific film presence, doing supporting roles and writing/directing projects, for example:

  • The Invention of Lying (2009) — co-wrote, co-directed, and starred.

  • Night at the Museum series — he played Dr. McPhee.

  • Ghost Town (2008) — a comedy with supernatural elements.

  • David Brent: Life on the Road (2016) — a film spin-off of his Office character.

On the stand-up front, Gervais launched tours such as Animals, Politics, and Fame, each recorded and released. Humanity (2018) on Netflix, tackling topics including offense, human behavior, and moral contradictions.

He also authored children’s books: the Flanimals series (e.g. Flanimals, More Flanimals) — whimsical books about nonsense creatures.

Awards & Recognition

Over his career, Ricky Gervais has accumulated multiple accolades, including seven BAFTA Awards, four Golden Globes, two Emmy Awards, and more. The Observer named him among the 50 funniest performers in British comedy. Time named him one of the world’s most influential people.

Philosophies, Style & Public Persona

Comedy, Provocation & Integrity

Gervais is known for pushing boundaries — using comedy not just to amuse but to provoke reflection. He often addresses religion, ethics, fame, and hypocrisy, with a signature mix of cynicism and blunt honesty.

He rejects “safe” comedy meant only to appeal; in interviews, he has expressed disdain for content shaped by market testing or censorship.

Religious Skepticism & Ethics

A committed atheist and humanist, Gervais frequently speaks on secular moral philosophies. He was raised questioning religion and from a young age rejected theism. The Wall Street Journal clarifying his arguments.

Despite his strong views, a recurring line in his public statements is: “You won’t burn in hell. But be nice anyway.”

Authenticity & Creative Ownership

Gervais often emphasizes creating work he believes in over chasing commercial success. He has said he’d rather produce something entirely his own and fail than create something he didn’t stand behind.

He also critiques celebrity culture and fame. Despite being a household name, he has expressed discomfort with “celebrity status” and prefers being seen first as a writer or creator.

Notable Quotes of Ricky Gervais

Here are some of his sharpest, most quoted lines — reflecting humor, skepticism, and moral insight:

“When you are dead, you do not know you are dead. It is only painful for others.” “Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right.” “If you can’t joke about the most horrendous things in the world, what’s the point of jokes?” “You are the result of billions of years of evolution. You will only live for a few years and will never exist again. Absolutely beautiful.” “The truth doesn’t hurt. Whatever it is, it doesn’t hurt. It’s better to know the truth.” “The government may change faces from time to time, but it’s not like we fight wars for democracy — we fight wars for capitalism and for oil.” “I see atheists are fighting and killing each other again, over who doesn't believe in any God the most. But be nice anyway.”

These reflect central themes in his thought: mortality, freedom of speech, ethical life without supernatural reward, and the value of being kind.

Lessons from Ricky Gervais’s Life & Career

  1. Creative authenticity over mass appeal
    Gervais’s commitment to doing work he believes in — even if controversial — underscores the value of artistic integrity.

  2. Use humor as inquiry, not just entertainment
    His comedy engages ideas and challenges norms. Jokes are often a vehicle for reflection, not just laughter.

  3. Embrace failure & risk
    His early ventures (e.g. in music) failed, but they shaped his perspective. He seems unafraid to try and fail.

  4. Live your principles
    His veganism, secularism, and outspoken views are consistent with his public persona. His life and work are aligned.

  5. Fearlessness will polarize
    Gervais often says that meaningful work will provoke both love and hate. He seems comfortable with that tension.

Articles by the author

If I just cut out the food, I'd have a six-pack. I'd look like Matthew McConaughey.

Ricky Gervais

Fame is an upshot of what I do. If you're a successful comedian or actor, then you're a famous one. But it's not the driving force. It's a by-product.

Ricky Gervais

People now live their lives like an open wound to be famous - they do bad things because they're rewarded for it.

Ricky Gervais

There's no difference between fame and infamy now. There's a new school of professional famous people that don't do anything. They don't create anything.

Ricky Gervais

I'd never tried as hard with anything as I did with 'The Office,' and it was one of the things I'm proud of. I wasn't trying to be famous or a comedian, but this opportunity came along when I was 38 or 39. It came late, and I couldn't have been prouder of it.

Ricky Gervais

A couple of people I knew went to university apart from me, but all the way through I was the smartest kid in the school. That's luck, but I was proud of it. And I was also proud of doing well without trying. As you get older, and it took me a long time to realise it, that's a disgusting attitude, revolting.

Ricky Gervais

I'm a scientist at heart, so I know how important the truth is. However inconvenient, however unattractive, however embarrassing, however shocking, the truth is the truth, and wanting it not to be true doesn't change things.

Ricky Gervais

I think you can make fun of anything except things people can't help. They can't help their race or their sex or their age, so you ridicule their pretension or their ego instead. You can ridicule ideas - ideas don't have feelings. You can ridicule an idea that someone holds without hurting them.

Ricky Gervais

Ego is hilarious - especially the vanity of a comedian. As soon as you see one start worrying about how cool he is or about how many stadiums he can fill, he stops being funny.

Ricky Gervais

I don't care whether people say, ''The Office' is rubbish, 'Extras' is worse, 'Flanimals' is a waste of time. He's not funny; he never has been. I hate him.' I don't mind that at all. In fact, not only do I expect it, I celebrate it, because I think the haters are really important.

Ricky Gervais

My dad was a laborer. And he used to get up at 5:30 every morning. He worked for 50 years of his life, in all weathers for, by showbiz standards, petty cash. I remind myself of that when I feel a little bit spoiled or hard done by.

Ricky Gervais

Humor is to get us over terrible things.

Ricky Gervais

I'd much rather eat exactly what I want, and then burn it off, than diet.

Ricky Gervais

I'm a fan of the kind of political correctness that is about not promoting prejudice. But some people in America are offended by equality because when you've had privilege for so long, equality feels like oppression.

Ricky Gervais

I don't know what Trump has to do to lose his supporters. It's like a religion. He's a school bully.

Ricky Gervais

Science is constantly proved all the time. If we take something like any fiction, any holy book, and destroyed it, in a thousand years' time, that wouldn't come back just as it was. Whereas if we took every science book and every fact and destroyed them all, in a thousand years they'd all be back because all the same tests would be the same result.

Ricky Gervais

Luckily, even when people are shouting lies, the truth is undamaged. Science doesn't matter what you believe.

Ricky Gervais

I think it's important to hold a mirror up to society and yourself.

Ricky Gervais

I think Dustin Hoffman has been in at least three of my favorite movies of all time with things like 'Tootsie,' 'Marathon Man.' Getting a bit more arthouse and darker, 'The Graduate' - incredible, barrier-breaking movie, 'The Graduate.'

Ricky Gervais

With the Internet era and social media and politics being so out there with the lies, now you've got people denying things they're on camera doing, and then you've got people not really caring about the truth. You've got people supporting people who've done horrific things, but just don't want the other side to get any satisfaction.

Ricky Gervais