Ricky Gervais is an enigma. This is someone who got his big break in comedy when he was turning 40. A one-time aspiring singer and band manager – he looked after indie outfit Suede back in their earliest incarnation – Ricky flitted around the bounds of entertainment with guest comedy spots on British TV before landing pay dirt with self-scripted mockumentary series The Office.
The gritty comedy launched an unstoppable train of wildly successful follow-ups, with Extras, Sky Kids, Ghost Town, Night At The Museum, The Invention of Lying, The Muppets, Life's Too Short, Derek, Special Correspondents, After Life and, of course, a bevy of sold-out global live shows all garnering ebullient praise.
Wind forward, and few comedians have left as indelible a mark on TV, on both sides of the Atlantic, as Ricky Gervais.
He's won multiple awards, including BAFTAs, Emmys, and Golden Globes, but he's always more comfortable poking fun at his accolades and celebrities than celebrating them.
Off-stage, the 63-year-old is a passionate animal rights advocate, dedicating time and resources to charity work for endangered species and animal welfare. His love for his pets – especially his late cat Ollie – is well documented on social media, where fans often get glimpses of his softer side.
The steadfast Atheist has been with his long-time partner, novelist, and producer Jayne Anne Goodman, for over 40 years. The couple shares a strong bond, prefers a private life, and has famously decided not to marry or have children.
Into next year, the funnyman is hitting the road again with a new stand-up tour that promises to pull no punches. The tour will kick off in the UK and expand to Europe and the USA.
STRIPLV: Let's talk about your new tour Mortality… what can we expect? More of the same controversy from those who know what type of comedian you are, yet still get offended? GERVAIS: (Laughs) Pretty much, yeah! Mortality is me dealing with life's big questions: death, religion, the absurdity of existence. All the cheery stuff! I think people who come to my shows know what to expect by now. If you're easily offended, maybe it's not for you. But I've always said that offense is taken, not given. I tackle controversial topics because that's where comedy lives, on the edge. And, if you can't laugh about life's inevitable end, what can you laugh about? So, expect more of the same: honest, brutal, and hopefully, hilarious. STRIPLV: Will we see you performing in the US? GERVAIS: Well, I love performing in the US. The audiences are incredible, and they get my sense of humor. It's all about finding the right venues and fitting it into the schedule. The US has always been a big part for me. I never saw myself as subscribing to the American way, but there is so much beauty, discovery, history, and subtlety in the country. Like the UK, I sometimes think the US is poorly represented on a global scale. People are lazy, and so are their labels and preconceptions, yet real America, just like real English, is dreamland stuff. These are literally the best places to live on Earth, and we should be proud of them; extremely proud. Trust me, I've travelled, and I know how shit a lot of the rest of the world is! (Laughs)
STRIPLV: The topics you deal with in many, if not all, of your live shows, TV series, and social media posts are sometimes likely to come with a health warning. When did you realise it was going to be so popular? GERVAIS: I never set out to be popular, honestly. I just wanted to say what I found funny and interesting. With The Office, I realized that if you create something true to yourself, people will connect with it, even if it's controversial, although I don't think all of my stuff is offensive. I think people appreciate authenticity, even if they don't always agree with the content. The more I leaned into my own voice, the more it resonated. It was never about pleasing everyone, just finding those who "get" it. Luckily, that's worked out for me and maybe why I've stuck to that approach ever since. STRIPLV: Were you surprised how quickly you became almost an overnight success having striven for so long with little reward? GERVAIS: Yeah, I think The Office blew up in a way I never could've imagined. It took a while to get it off the ground, but when it finally aired, I thought it'd be this little niche comedy. But then it became this massive thing, first in the UK, then globally. I certainly didn't expect an American version or for it to be talked about decades later. I always say it was an overnight success that took 20 years! That's how it feels, all the graft and rejection, then suddenly, everyone's talking about your work. It was surreal but brilliant. STRIPLV: We must mention your early writing partner, Stephen Merchant, or Karl Pilkington, who came from almost nowhere to be a famously miserable celebrity. How great has it been working with those two through your career? GERVAIS: It's been amazing. Stephen and I go way back, we clicked straight away, creatively. He's so clever and working with him on The Office and Extras was just brilliant. As for Karl, he's a one-off. We found him doing radio and he had this naturally funny, grumpy outlook on life. He had no idea he was funny, that's the best part. Our chemistry just worked and it was effortless. I couldn't have asked for better collaborators and it's a joy that people still love what we did together all these years later. STRIPLV: While there are celebrities who become famous as child stars or in their twenties on reality TV, your first TV appearance was when you were approaching 40 years old. Was there a time when you thought it was never going to happen? GERVAIS: I never expected to be famous, especially not as I was approaching 40! I'd kind of given up on the idea. I was working in television, but not the way people know me now. I'd been in regular jobs, making a decent living and I'd stopped thinking about "making it". With that length of build-up, the good thing is you never take it for granted. It also proves to anyone who will listen that it's never too late to do something great. I'm glad to say that I am living proof of that. STRIPLV: Speaking of mortality, you came out in 202 discussing the grief of your cat Ollie. I think at first, people thought you were building up to a big punchline, but instead, there wasn't one, and you were genuinely devastated by the death of your four-legged friend, right? GERVAIS: I still am. I really am! I once said the point of all life on this fair Earth was Ollie, and when my little buddy died it did feel like the end of something profound. And yes yes, I know how ridiculous that sounds, to be so utterly heartbroken by something that never even said a word to you, and to mourn that so deeply, but it was one of the toughest things I've had to do, but I've come to terms with it, just about. (Laughs) STRIPLV: It only seems right that you should be as philosophical about death as you are of life. GERVAIS: As my career has progressed, I've obviously got more to talk about, and yes, I love discussing the mind, science, political correctness, society, and all that, and I can go on for hours. Yet if you were to plonk a cat, a dog, a bloody tortoise in front of me, that would steal my attention away like nothing else on the planet. I mean, how can we ever suppose a conversation about gender realignment or religion is actually more important than just staring at these incredible little creatures, these innocent fellows who have wandered into a world of chaos and nonsense that we humans have created? Don't we at least owe it to our pets to hold them for a second, pat them, and talk them through the football scores? STRIPLV: You're regularly on social media highlighting the poor treatment of animals and pressing for change. GERVAIS: I hate reading about them suffering or being mistreated. All animals deserve our respect and protection. We have a moral obligation to stand up against mistreatment and exploitation. It's our responsibility to ensure their well-being and create a world where they can live free from suffering and harm. In return, they will never judge you—they don't care about your wealth or status. They just want to be cared for and treated with kindness. STRIPLV: You're equally as loud about Atheism, having had live conversations with Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and others. GERVAIS: I've always been vocal about Atheism because I think it's important to challenge ideas that don't hold up to scrutiny. My conversations with people like Richard and Christopher were about promoting rational thought and evidence-based beliefs. It's not about attacking anyone's personal faith but more about encouraging people to question things and think critically. Being an Atheist is about embracing reality, what we can see, prove, and understand. It's liberating to live without superstition. I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I'll always stand up for science and reason. STRIPLV: You've also given it as a reason why you and your partner of over 40 years, Jane Fallon, have never married. GERVAIS: Exactly. Jane and I don't see the point in marriage, especially because neither of us believe in the religious aspect of it. We've been together for over four decades without needing a piece of paper to validate our relationship. It's about love, trust, and commitment, not a ceremony or legal status. We've never felt the need to conform to what society expects. We're happy as we are and that's what matters. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right? We're just as committed as any married couple, probably more so! STRIPLV: Is there anything remaining in your career you'd like to do or wish to do? GERVAIS: I think I've done it all, haven't I? I created a ground-breaking sitcom, offended half of Hollywood, and won a few awards. What's left? Maybe I'll run for Pope, just for the irony. Or star in a Marvel movie as a superhero whose only power is telling people they're idiots. Honestly, I've had an amazing career. I've been incredibly lucky, so anything else from here is just a bonus. But if I could do one more thing? I'd probably want to play a Bond villain, who kills 007 with relentless sarcasm. STRIPLV: What was your aim in life if you weren't going to be famous? Would you have been happy not being well-known or rich? GERVAIS: I just wanted to be happy, do what I love, and make people laugh. If I hadn't found success in comedy or TV, I think I would've been perfectly content doing something creative behind the scenes or even working a regular job and doing stand-up on the side. I've never been driven by the need to be famous. That's why I don't chase fame now. I just keep doing what I enjoy. Success was a bonus, not the goal. Happiness is the real win. STRIPLV: Yet you still have fame. So how do you deal with fame these days and for how long will you carry on writing? GERVAIS: Fame is a by-product of what I do, not the driving force. Ultimately, I write, direct, and produce to expose myself to and protect myself and to satisfy the supposed need to work and be relevant and active and all that stuff. And that's a constant battle, particularly when I know, ultimately, I could just chuck it all in and start a cat sanctuary, and I'd be just as happy!
RICKY GER-VOICEOVERS
He's a funnyman known best for stand-up, comedy-drama, and huge celebrity putdowns, but the Brit has a softer, animated side.
ONE The Willoughbys (2020) Gervais voices the sarcastic family cat, serving as both narrator and observer of the chaotic Willoughby family. He infuses the character with his signature dry, witty humor.
TWO Valiant (2005) The comedian voices Bugsy, a comedic and scrappy pigeon in this animated WWII adventure. His humorous, bumbling character makes the film's heroic mission storyline fun.
THREE The Simpsons (2006) Although he later became the first person to both write and star in a Simpsons episode, In Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife, Gervais voices Charles, a character modelled on his own persona. His dry, self-deprecating humor blends are on point.
FOUR Escape from Planet Earth (2013) The 63-year-old voices Mr. James Bing, a snarky and sarcastic computer, adding biting wit to the film's comedic relief.
FIVE Pudsey The Dog: The Movie (2014) Here, he voices the title character, Pudsey, a streetwise dog who helps three children. Effortless sarcasm abounds; it is classic Gervais.
SIX Family Guy (2011) In the episode Be Careful What You Fish For, Gervais voices Billy Finn, a dolphin embellished with a sharp, sarcastic style.
SEVEN Spy Kids: All the Time in the World (2011) Gervais voices Argonaut, a robotic dog – a standout character in an otherwise chaotic adventure.