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Variety European TV Summit
June 2020
Royal Lancaster HotelLondon

Ricky Gervais
Creator, Actor, Comedian at After Life, The Office, Extras
Speaker

Profile

Creator and star of ‘The Office’ and ‘Extras’, Ricky Gervais has won three Golden Globes®, two Primetime Emmys® and seven BAFTAS. ‘The Office’ is the most successful British comedy of all time, shown in more than 90 countries with seven remakes. The NBC version is the most successful US remake of a British show in more than 30 years.

Considered the most influential British comedian since Charlie Chaplin, Gervais is an award-winning stand-up comedian, with five international tours to date. His live stand up show ‘Fame’ became the fastest selling UK stand-up show in history.

Gervais can most recently be seen in the dark comedy “After Life,” which he created, directs, stars in and executive produced. The series premiered Friday, March 8th worldwide on Netflix. It was recently announced that the series will return for a second season in 2020.

In October 2018, Gervais returned for the second season of ABC’s “Child Support”. The one-hour studio-based game show series featured adult contestants and priceless interactions between Gervais and a group of five kids who say the most unpredictable things.

In 2017, Gervais toured worldwide with his first stand up special in seven years. “Humanity,” which was also recorded as a Netflix special, takes aim at human behavior with his trademark wit. It was also announced that Gervais will return in 2019 with an additional stand up tour and special titled “SuperNature.”

Additionally in 2017, Gervais teamed with SiriusXM for a new podcast called “Ricky Gervais is Deadly Sirius” where he discusses big issues such as: what is the meaning of life, science, philosophical theories, and pop culture with guests and experts. Season two premiered in January 2019.

Gervais is also featured in The Guinness Book of World Records for having the most downloaded internet show of all time. He has written, directed, produced and starred in ‘Cemetery Junction’, ‘The Invention of Lying’, and starred in ‘Ghost Town.’ In 2010, Gervais was asked to be the first host of the Golden Globes® since 1995, for a broadcast seen by an estimated 250 million. He was named in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and awarded the Sir Peter Ustinov Comedy Award from the Banff World Television Festival.

Gervais has since hosted the Golden Globes® in 2011, 2012, and was invited back for a fourth time in January 2016.

In 2012, HBO aired ‘Life’s Too Short’ and the third season of ‘The Ricky Gervais Show’, and Gervais wrote, directed and starred in ‘Derek’ for Channel 4 and Netflix.

2013 was just as busy, with an international release of 'An Idiot Abroad 3: The Short Way Round', taking the lead role in ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ and production on series 2 of the award-winning ‘Derek’, both of which were released in 2014. On April 3, 2015 Gervais reprised his Golden Globe nominated role as Derek, in a one-hour finale special on Netflix.

Gervais starred in ‘Special Correspondents’ an original comedy film, which debuted worldwide on Netflix in 2016. The film is written and directed by Gervais, and also starred Eric Bana, America Ferrera and Vera Farmiga.

In 2017, Gervais reprised his iconic role of David Brent in ‘David Brent: Life on the Road’. The film was written, directed, and produced by Gervais, and acquired by Netflix.

Agenda Sessions

  • Keynote Conversation with Ricky Gervais

    12:00