Ricky Dene Gervais is a multi-talented figure in the entertainment industry, known for his work as a comedian, actor, director, producer, writer, and broadcaster. Gervais was born and raised in England, where he achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras. He co-wrote and co-directed both shows with his friend and frequent collaborator Stephen Merchant, and also played the lead roles in them. The Office featured Gervais as David Brent, while Extras starred him as Andy Millman.
Gervais has also made a name for himself in Hollywood, appearing in films such as Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying, in which he played leading roles. He has performed on three sell-out stand-up comedy tours, and has written the best-selling Flanimals book series. Additionally, Gervais starred with Merchant and Karl Pilkington in The Ricky Gervais Show, which was the most downloaded podcast prior to March 2009.
Throughout his career, Gervais has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his work. These include seven BAFTA Awards, four British Comedy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, two Emmy Awards, and the 2006 Rose d'Or. He has also been nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2010, Gervais was voted the third greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Channel 4, and was named on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people. His broadcast work, particularly The Office, has received six BAFTAs and two Golden Globes for writing, directing, and starring in the show. Gervais's recent stand-up tours have also been sell-outs, and have received widespread critical acclaim.