Ricky Gervais (born 1961) is a comic writer and performer who grew up in Reading, England. Gervais has recently enjoyed success with his television programme The Office which was screened on BBC2. In it, Gervais plays the lead role of David Brent, an office manager whose self-perception is one of the joker, but often at others' expense.
Gervais' father originates from French Canada, and came to the UK on duty during the second world war, met a girl and settled down, working as a labourer. Raised as the youngest of four brothers, Gervais describes his childhood as "nice" and "normal".
Gervais started his career at London radio station XFM where he still DJ's a Saturday afternoon slot. He came to wider attention as an obnoxious persona in a slot which replaced Ali G on the Channel 4 comedy programme The 11 O'Clock Show and later went on to present his own comedy chat show for channel 4 called "Meet Ricky Gervais". The show was poorly received.
