Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervaisis an English comedian, actor, director, producer, writer and former pop singer and manager...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionComedian
Date of Birth25 June 1961
CityWhitley, England
actively
It's the one thing I actively don't like: just being recognized.
audience audiences
It was like an audience with the Pope,
andy anyone bear burdened david eats good holding hurt job putting sack similar stand
It's a similar thing with David Brent. David Brent is not that good at his job because he couldn't stand for one person in the world not to like him. Andy can't sack his agent, because he can't bear putting anyone else in pain. The real thing holding him back is, he's burdened with conscience. I mean, he's like any of us really. ... It just eats you up if you think you've hurt anyone's feelings.
anybody bothered free radio
I want to do a radio show where I can say what I want, when I want and that's free for anybody who can be bothered to listen.
both cup exactly move seconds turn
They'd both tell you exactly what they wanted. 'Ashley, do this. Move the cup there. Turn round, take two seconds and then look.' And you just have to go, 'Yeah, you know what you're doing.'
gave honor network offer
It's an honor to be on the same network that gave us 'The Sopranos,' ... They made me an offer I couldn't refuse.
kids night laughing
[As a kid] I did enjoy making people laugh but I was also attracted to funny people. I'm [still] quite happy to not be the one trying to make other people laugh. I'm happy laughing at someone else. I enjoy laughing and I'll happily be the one just laughing all night if you can make me laugh.
years ideas one-day
When I direct my own scripts, it's much easier as it's been in my head for a year already. What I love about this is having an idea and seeing it come to fruition onscreen. I would like to direct someone else's script one day, but I might not get round to it before I die - you can't legislate for being hit by a bus!
sarcastic depressing jobs
The service in L.A. is the best. You don't get sarcastic, surly, fed-up waiters and waitresses like you do in England. They're good at their job and they're there for the customer. The only depressing thing is a lot of them have written more screenplays than me.
fun writing challenges
I like big escapist films. It's odd because the type of comedian I am and the things I do when I'm writing and directing myself usually deal with the darker side of the human psyche and excruciating social faux pas. I often deal in taboos and the subjects I do as a stand-up are quite challenging. But my film roles have been much more fun and escapist.
beautiful heart rocks
It breaks your heart when you throw something away, but it's what left that counts. It's like worrying about the bits of rock you have knocked off in order to make a beautiful statue. You've wasted half the rock, yeah, but it's the Venus di Milo!
character thinking long
I think that's the fundamental thing - you can go anywhere you like as long as you're following a character that the audience likes and understands.
real character thinking
You try to make characters you care about, and I think realism helps. Even though this is a high concept, the characters have got to be real.
creating want stuff
I still see myself as a bit of a cottage industry. Being in a room creating stuff and seeing if anyone wants it, as opposed to going to work for someone.