Ricky Gervais: The Man Behind The Mic

Ricky Gervais: A Multimillionaire in the World of Comedy

Let's talk about Ricky Gervais, the British actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker who has built an empire worth $160 million. How did he do it? Well, it all started with the creation of The Office, a groundbreaking television series that first aired in the UK in 2001. The original version was a hit, but things really took off when it was adapted for American audiences in 2005. The American version ran for nine seasons, with a staggering 201 episodes, and became one of the most profitable shows in syndication history. Every time a new deal is struck or the series is sold to a new platform, Gervais pockets tens of millions of dollars in royalties. And that’s not all—he’s also raking in serious cash from his comedy tours and Netflix stand-up specials. In fact, Netflix has been known to pay him upwards of $20 million for a single special. His 2023 "Armageddon" special alone grossed over $30 million. Talk about a successful career!

Syndication: Where the Real Money Lies

While Ricky Gervais and his co-creator Stephen Merchant earned a decent amount during the original run of The Office, their real fortune came from the syndication and licensing deals that followed. Gervais owns at least 10% of the show's syndication equity points, meaning he gets 10% of all the profits generated. To put that into perspective, in June 2019, Comcast's NBC paid a whopping $500 million for the rights to show The Office starting in 2021. Before that, it had been airing on Viacom-owned networks like Comedy Central and was a long-time feature on Netflix. Thanks to these deals, Gervais has easily earned over $100 million before taxes.

A Humble Beginning: Ricky's Early Life

Ricky Dene Gervais was born on June 25, 1961, in Reading, England. His father was a repatriated French-Canadian, and Ricky grew up as the youngest of four siblings. After finishing secondary school, he pursued a degree in philosophy at University College London. It was during his university years that he met Jane Fallon, his long-term partner since 1982. Their relationship has been a constant in his life, providing stability through the ups and downs of his career.

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The Early Struggles: From Pop Star to Radio Host

Ricky's journey into the entertainment world wasn't exactly smooth sailing. He initially tried his hand at becoming a pop star, but that didn’t pan out. Instead, he found his footing in radio, working as the head of speech at XFM. It was there that he met Stephen Merchant, who he later hired as an assistant. This partnership would prove to be a game-changer, as the two went on to create The Office. Before that, Gervais honed his skills by writing sketches for the British comedy show The Sketch Show and hosting the intentionally offensive and politically incorrect The 11 O’Clock Show. He even starred in a comedy series called Meet Ricky Gervais, though it didn’t gain much traction.

The Breakthrough: Creating The Office

Back in 1999, Stephen Merchant created a seven-minute short film for a film production project. This short featured the character of David Brent, who would later become Gervais's iconic role on The Office. The film caught the attention of BBC executives, who asked Gervais and Merchant to write a pilot script. The rest, as they say, is history. Initially, The Office was a bit of a flop, with only a short run of six episodes and low viewership. But thanks to word of mouth, people started buying the DVDs, and soon enough, there was enough demand for a second season. The BBC obliged, and the rest is comedic gold. The success of the second season cemented Gervais and Merchant's status as comedic masterminds. The show was remade for American audiences and adapted for other countries, including Brazil, Sweden, and France. Gervais later credited the critical acclaim for The Office with paving his way into the American entertainment industry.

What Happened After The Office?

After the massive success of The Office, Ricky Gervais didn’t slow down. He ventured into other TV series, starting with Extras, which featured well-known celebrities playing comedic versions of themselves on fictional film sets. He also created The Ricky Gervais Show in 2010. Other notable shows include Derek, Life’s Too Short, An Idiot Abroad, and After Life. An Idiot Abroad was a reality series starring Karl Pilkington, Gervais's former radio producer, who hilariously despised traveling outside of England.

Stand-Up Comedy: The Heart of His Career

Ricky Gervais has been a force in the stand-up comedy world since the 1990s. His career really took off after the success of The Office, and he’s been on tour ever since. His comedy specials have been broadcast on Netflix multiple times, earning him millions of dollars and a dedicated fan base.

Film: A Diverse Acting Career

Ricky Gervais has taken on roles in several high-profile films throughout his career. In 2005, he voiced the character "Bugsy" in the animated film Valiant. One of his most famous roles was as the museum director in 2006's Night at the Museum, a role he reprised in its sequels. Over the years, he’s also starred in films like Ghost Town, The Invention of Lying, and Special Correspondents. He lent his voice to Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank in 2022. As of now, Gervais has won seven BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, and three Golden Globe Awards, the latter of which he’s hosted five times.

Netflix: A Lucrative Partnership

In 2018, Netflix reportedly paid Ricky a staggering $20 million for a stand-up special. They had previously purchased his special "Humanity" for the same amount. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Ricky earned $25 million from his various ventures, making him one of the five highest-paid comedians in the world. He continues to release specials on Netflix, keeping his fans entertained and his bank account growing.

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Personal Life & Real Estate: Beyond the Spotlight

Ricky Gervais and his partner, Jane Fallon, have chosen not to marry or have children. Gervais is deeply passionate about animal rights and has pledged to leave his entire fortune to animal rights charities. He’s strongly against hunting, poaching, and illegal animal trading. His dedication to animal welfare has earned him numerous awards and praise from organizations like PETA. In addition to being a staunch supporter of animal rights, Gervais is a firm atheist and a vocal advocate for same-sex marriage. When it comes to real estate, the couple spent around $6.5 million on a London home in 2006, which they listed for sale in 2015 for $11.8 million. In 2016, they moved into a new home, purchased for nearly $16 million. They also own a $3.75 million apartment in the Barbizon 63 building in Manhattan.