History of Ricky Gervais in Timeline
Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director known for his significant contributions to television. He co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the acclaimed British sitcoms The Office (2001–2003), Extras (2005–2007), and Life's Too Short (2011–2013) alongside Stephen Merchant. Additionally, Gervais created, wrote, and starred in Derek (2012–2014) and After Life (2019–2022), showcasing his versatility and talent in comedy and drama.
1945: Birth of Ricky's Brother Larry
In 1945, Ricky Gervais's brother, Larry, who later became a schoolteacher, was born.
June 1961: Birth of Ricky Gervais
Ricky Dene Gervais was born on 25 June 1961 in Reading, Berkshire. This date marks the beginning of his life journey.
1980: University College London Enrollment
In 1980, Ricky Gervais enrolled at University College London, initially intending to study biology but later switching to philosophy.
1982: Relationship with Jane Fallon
In 1982, Ricky Gervais began his relationship with Jane Fallon, whom he met during his time at University College London.
1983: Formation of Seona Dancing
In 1983, Ricky Gervais and his best friend Bill Macrae formed the new wave pop duo Seona Dancing. Despite failing to make the UK Singles Chart, they scored a hit in the Philippines with the song 'More to Lose'.
1983: Graduation from University College London
In 1983, Ricky Gervais graduated from University College London with an upper second-class honours degree in philosophy.
September 1998: Gervais's Mainstream TV Debut
Ricky Gervais made his mainstream-TV on-screen debut in September 1998 as part of Channel 4's Comedy Lab series of pilots. He penned several sketches for the BAFTA-winning 'The Sketch Show' and created a one-off show called 'Golden Years.'
1998: Redundancy from Xfm
In 1998, Ricky Gervais's position at the radio station Xfm was made redundant when the station was taken over by the Capital Radio group.
1998: The 11 O'Clock Show Appearance
Ricky Gervais appeared on The 11 O'Clock Show on Channel 4 between 1998 and 2000, building his reputation as a sharp-witted social provocateur.
August 1999: Creation of David Brent Character
In August 1999, Stephen Merchant created a docu-soap parody with Ricky Gervais, which led to the creation of the character David Brent. The short film, 'The Seedy Boss,' was shown to BBC's Head of Entertainment, ultimately leading to the commissioning of a full-pilot script.
1999: Gervais on 'The 11 O'Clock Show'
In early 1999, Ricky Gervais gained wider national attention with a cutting persona on Channel 4's 'The 11 O'Clock Show.' His character was known for its politically incorrect statements and extensive use of expletives. Two years later, he presented 'Meet Ricky Gervais,' which was poorly received.
2000: Meet Ricky Gervais
In 2000, Ricky Gervais was given a Channel 4 spoof talk show called Meet Ricky Gervais.
August 2001: Airing of 'The Office's First Series
The first six-episode series of 'The Office' aired in the UK in July and August 2001 to little initial attention. However, word-of-mouth, repeats, and DVDs helped build anticipation for the second series.
November 2001: Return to Xfm
In November 2001, after the first series of The Office, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant returned to Xfm for a Saturday radio show, collaborating with Karl Pilkington.
2001: The Office Debut
In 2001, Ricky Gervais co-created, co-wrote, and acted in the British television sitcom The Office, which significantly boosted his career.
2001: First Successful Stand-Up Show at Edinburgh Festival Fringe
In 2001, Ricky Gervais had his first successful stand-up show, 'Rubbernecker,' at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The show featured Jimmy Carr, Robin Ince, and Stephen Merchant.
2002: Charity Boxing Match
In 2002, Ricky Gervais participated in a charity boxing match against Grant Bovey for Comic Relief. Gervais won the match by a split decision and donated his £5,000 prize to the training of a Macmillan nurse specializing in cancer support.
2002: Release of The Office Series 1 Scripts
In 2002, the scripts for Series 1 of The Office were released in book form, allowing fans to delve deeper into the show's dialogue and production.
January 2003: Animals Stand-Up Show and Controversial Review
In January 2003, Ricky Gervais's stand-up show 'Animals' was reviewed unfavorably by Newsnight Review. Despite the criticism, the show was recorded for release on DVD and television.
2003: Release of The Office remaining episodes scripts
Following the release of Series 1 scripts, the remaining episode scripts of The Office were released in book form in 2003.
2003: Named One of the 50 Funniest Performers
In 2003, The Observer named Ricky Gervais one of the 50 funniest performers in British comedy.
2003: Conclusion of The Office
The British television sitcom The Office, co-created by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2003 after a successful run.
2004: Golden Globe Awards for 'The Office'
In 2004, 'The Office' won the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and Ricky Gervais won Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy. Gervais later described this award as his gateway to America.
2004: Release of Flanimals
In 2004, Ricky Gervais released Flanimals, a children's book illustrated by Rob Steen that depicted nonsense animals.
July 2005: Performance at Live 8
On 2 July 2005, Ricky Gervais performed his famous dance from The Office at the Live 8 event held in London's Hyde Park.
July 2005: Debut of 'Extras'
On 21 July 2005, 'Extras' made its debut on the BBC. Directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, the sitcom starred Gervais as Andy Millman, a background artist. The show featured numerous guest stars and ran for twelve episodes.
December 2005: Launch of The Ricky Gervais Show Podcast
On 5 December 2005, Guardian Unlimited began offering free weekly podcasts, including The Ricky Gervais Show featuring Gervais, Merchant, and Karl Pilkington.
2005: Release of More Flanimals
Following the success of Flanimals, Ricky Gervais released its sequel More Flanimals in 2005.
2005: Extras Debut
In 2005, Ricky Gervais co-created, co-wrote, and acted in the British television sitcom Extras, further establishing his reputation in comedy.
2005: Voice role in Valiant
In 2005, Ricky Gervais voiced the character Bugsy, a pigeon, in the animated film Valiant.
January 2006: Guest Star on The Simpsons
In January 2006, Ricky Gervais guest-starred in 'The Simpsons' episode 'Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife,' becoming the first British comic to write and star in a Simpsons episode.
January 2006: Interviewed Larry David
In January 2006, Ricky Gervais interviewed Larry David in a one-off special titled Ricky Gervais Meets... Larry David.
February 2006: Podcast Record
In February 2006, The Ricky Gervais Show podcast was consistently ranked the number 1 podcast in the world.
September 2006: Guinness World Record
In 2006, The Ricky Gervais Show podcast appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's most-downloaded podcast.
September 2006: Second Series of 'Extras'
The second series of 'Extras' began airing on 14 September 2006 in the UK. This series featured guest appearances by celebrities such as Daniel Radcliffe, Orlando Bloom, and David Bowie.
December 2006: Interviews with Christopher Guest and Garry Shandling
On 25 and 26 December 2006, Ricky Gervais interviewed Christopher Guest and Garry Shandling for Channel 4. This was part of the Ricky Gervais Meets... series.
2006: Roles in For Your Consideration and Night at the Museum
In 2006, Ricky Gervais played a studio executive in For Your Consideration and museum director Dr. McPhee in Night at the Museum.
2006: Hollywood Film Appearances
In 2006, Ricky Gervais starred in Hollywood films such as For Your Consideration and the Night at the Museum series.
2006: Rose d'Or Award and Podcast Success
In 2006, Ricky Gervais won the Rose d'Or award. Additionally, his podcast, The Ricky Gervais Show, became the world's most-downloaded podcast.
2006: The Podfather Trilogy
In late 2006, Ricky Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington released three more free podcasts known as 'The Podfather Trilogy'.
January 2007: Controversy During Fame Stand-Up Show
In January 2007, Ricky Gervais's stand-up show 'Fame' sparked controversy for a routine about people doing anything to become famous, including a reference to the murder of prostitutes in Ipswich.
June 2007: 20th Anniversary Segment for The Simpsons
On 16 June 2007, Ricky Gervais presented a segment to mark 'The Simpsons' 20th anniversary on BBC Two's 'The Culture Show.'
July 2007: Responded to Criticism from Jim Shelley
In July 2007, following his appearance at the memorial concert for Princess Diana, Ricky Gervais responded to criticism from Jim Shelley of The Guardian with an 'exhilaratingly foul-mouthed tirade' on his website, defending his career and stating he was 'resting on his laurels'.
July 2007: Performance at Concert for Diana
On 1 July 2007, Ricky Gervais performed at the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium. He appeared with fellow Office star Mackenzie Crook, performing 'Free Love Freeway' and filling time due to technical problems by doing the David Brent dance and singing 'Little Fat Man'.
October 2007: Release of Flanimals: The Day of the Bletchling
In October 2007, Ricky Gervais released a new book in his Flanimals series titled Flanimals: The Day of the Bletchling, which continued to depict nonsense animals.
October 2007: New Free Podcast Release
In October 2007, Ricky Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington released a new free full-length podcast through iTunes, continuing the success of The Ricky Gervais Show.
November 2007: New Free Podcast Release
On 25 November 2007, Ricky Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington released another free podcast of just over one hour, continuing their successful podcast series.
December 2007: Christmas Special of 'Extras'
A Christmas special of 'Extras' aired on 27 December 2007 in the UK and on 16 December 2007 in the US. The special featured guest appearances by George Michael, Clive Owen, and David Tennant.
2007: Recorded interviews for future broadcast
In 2007, Ricky Gervais had recorded interviews with Monty Python co-founder John Cleese and The Simpsons creator Matt Groening for future broadcast. However, a source claimed that his experience with Garry Shandling put him off continuing the series.
2007: Role in Stardust
In 2007, Ricky Gervais played the character Ferdy the Fence in the film Stardust.
2007: Ranked on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups
In 2007, Ricky Gervais was ranked at No. 11 on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups.
2007: Primetime Emmy Award for 'Extras'
In 2007, Ricky Gervais won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in 'Extras.' As Gervais was not present, Steve Carell accepted the award on his behalf.
2007: New Free Podcast Release
In October and November 2007, Ricky Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington released new free podcasts, continuing the success of The Ricky Gervais Show.
2007: Conclusion of Extras
The British television sitcom Extras, co-created by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2007.
May 2008: Filming of The Invention of Lying
In May 2008, Ricky Gervais was in Lowell, Massachusetts, filming The Invention of Lying, a social comedy in which he starred alongside Jennifer Garner, Rob Lowe, and Louis C.K. The film was co-written and co-directed by Gervais and Matt Robinson.
August 2008: Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington Record Fifth Series of Audiobooks
In August 2008, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington recorded their fifth series of audiobooks, which later became part of the 'Guide To...' series. The series featured four chapters and involved conversations that often went on tangents.
September 2008: Release of Fifth Series of Audiobooks
On 16 September 2008, the fifth series of audiobooks recorded by Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington was released. This series became part of the 'Guide To...' series and included four chapters.
2008: Appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman
In 2008, Ricky Gervais appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, helping Letterman read out the Late Show Top Ten List, Top Ten Stupid Things Americans Say To Brits.
2008: Hollywood Film Ghost Town
In 2008, Ricky Gervais starred in the Hollywood film Ghost Town.
January 2009: Guest on Inside the Actors Studio
In January 2009, Ricky Gervais was a guest on BravoTV's Inside the Actors Studio, where he humorously answered questions as his character David Brent from The Office and performed the song 'Freelove Freeway' with a guitar.
August 2009: Science Stand-Up Show Begins
In August 2009, Ricky Gervais commenced his fourth stand-up show, 'Science,' with an eleven-date tour at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.
November 2009: Headline at New York Comedy Festival
In November 2009, Ricky Gervais headlined the sixth annual New York Comedy Festival at Carnegie Hall.
December 2009: Joined Twitter
Ricky Gervais joined Twitter in December 2009 during his first hosting of the 66th Golden Globes.
2009: Release of Flanimals: Pop Up
In 2009, Ricky Gervais published Flanimals: Pop Up, adding to his successful series of children's books about nonsense animals.
2009: The Invention of Lying
In 2009, Ricky Gervais wrote, directed, and starred in the romantic comedy film The Invention of Lying.
February 2010: Debut of 'The Ricky Gervais Show'
On 19 February 2010, 'The Ricky Gervais Show,' an animated TV show based on original podcast recordings, debuted on HBO in the US. The show was later aired in the UK on Channel 4.
April 2010: Release of Cemetery Junction
In April 2010, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant released Cemetery Junction, a film set in 1970s Britain about class, love, and fulfilment.
April 2010: UK Debut of 'The Ricky Gervais Show'
The first series of 'The Ricky Gervais Show' began airing on 23 April 2010 on Channel 4 in the UK. This animated show was based on podcast recordings featuring Gervais, Merchant, and Pilkington.
November 2010: Release of Science Stand-Up Show DVD
On 15 November 2010, Ricky Gervais released the DVD of his stand-up show 'Science.'
December 2010: Ricky Gervais Writes Op-ed on Atheism
In December 2010, Ricky Gervais wrote an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal explaining his atheism, outlining his reasons for abandoning religion at the age of eight.
2010: First Hosting of Golden Globe Awards
In 2010, Ricky Gervais hosted the 67th Golden Globe Awards, making him the first master of ceremonies since 1995. His performance received mixed reviews.
2010: Included in Time 100
In 2010, Ricky Gervais was included in the Time 100 list of World's Most Influential People.
2010: An Idiot Abroad Debut
In 2010, Ricky Gervais, along with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington, created the show An Idiot Abroad, which aired until 2012.
April 2011: Talking Funny airs
Talking Funny, featuring Ricky Gervais and fellow standup comedians Louis C.K., Chris Rock, and Jerry Seinfeld, first aired in April 2011. The informal round-table discussion on stand-up comedy was well-received by critics and audiences alike.
May 2011: Expansion of 'Guide To...' Series
As of May 2011, the 'Guide To...' series by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington had expanded to 12 chapters covering various topics such as Medicine, Natural History, and Philosophy.
September 2011: Returned to Twitter
After a two-year hiatus, Ricky Gervais returned to Twitter in September 2011, re-engaging with his audience on the platform.
November 2011: Filming of 'Derek' Pilot
In November 2011, Ricky Gervais filmed a 35-minute pilot episode for 'Derek' in London. The pilot aired on Channel 4 on 12 April 2012 and featured Gervais in the title role.
November 2011: Debut of 'Life's Too Short'
On 10 November 2011, 'Life's Too Short,' a sitcom written by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, began airing on BBC Two. The show starred Warwick Davis and featured Gervais and Merchant.
2011: Second Series of 'The Ricky Gervais Show'
In 2011, HBO recommissioned 'The Ricky Gervais Show' for a second series, following the success of its first series.
2011: Life's Too Short Debut
In 2011, Ricky Gervais co-created, co-wrote, and acted in the British television sitcom Life's Too Short.
2011: Controversial Hosting of Golden Globe Awards
In 2011, Ricky Gervais hosted the 68th Golden Globe Awards, where his jokes at the expense of nominees stirred controversy.
2011: Second Golden Globe Hosting
In 2011, Ricky Gervais hosted the Golden Globe Awards for the second time, showcasing his comedic talents on a global stage.
April 2012: Airing of 'Derek' Pilot
The pilot episode of 'Derek,' written and directed by Ricky Gervais, aired on Channel 4 on 12 April 2012. Gervais played the title role of Derek Noakes, a retirement home worker.
April 2012: Third Series of 'The Ricky Gervais Show'
The third series of 'The Ricky Gervais Show' started airing in April 2012. The show continued to enjoy an enthusiastic following.
2012: Derek Debut
In 2012, Ricky Gervais created, wrote, and starred in the television series Derek.
2012: Guest Appearance on Family Guy
In 2012, Ricky Gervais made a guest appearance on 'Family Guy' in the episode 'Be Careful What You Fish For,' playing a dolphin named Billy Finn.
2012: Shorty Award for Lifetime Achievement
In 2012, Ricky Gervais was honored with a Shorty Award for Lifetime Achievement, recognizing his popular presence on social media.
2012: An Idiot Abroad Conclusion
The show An Idiot Abroad, created by Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, and Karl Pilkington, concluded in 2012.
December 2013: Moonbear Cake Purchase for Charity
In December 2013, Ricky Gervais bought a $1000 cake shaped like a moonbear to raise funds for Animal Asia, reflecting his commitment to animal welfare.
2013: Announcement of Humanity Stand-Up Show
In 2013, Ricky Gervais announced that his next stand-up show would be called 'Humanity.'
2013: Gervais Pays Tribute to Lou Reed
In 2013, Ricky Gervais expressed his admiration for Lou Reed, calling him 'one of the greatest artists of our time' after Reed's passing.
2013: Guest-starred on David Blaine: Real or Magic
In 2013, Ricky Gervais guest-starred in the television special David Blaine: Real or Magic, where magician David Blaine performed a shocking trick by running a large needle through his forearm in front of Gervais.
2013: David Brent Live Tour
In 2013, Ricky Gervais performed a live tour as David Brent, along with his band Foregone Conclusion, performing songs from The Office.
2013: Conclusion of Life's Too Short
The British television sitcom Life's Too Short, co-created by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2013.
April 2014: Second Series of 'Derek'
The second series of 'Derek' premiered on 23 April 2014. The series continued to explore the life of Derek Noakes, a retirement home worker.
December 2014: Too Busy for Humanity Tour
In December 2014, Ricky Gervais announced he was too busy to tour his next stand-up show, 'Humanity,' due to producing two films.
December 2014: Final Special of 'Derek'
On 22 December 2014, 'Derek' concluded with a one-off final special broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK.
2014: Role in Muppets Most Wanted
In 2014, Ricky Gervais starred in Muppets Most Wanted as Dominic Badguy, the partner of the movie's villain, Constantine.
2014: Most Influential London Twitter User
In 2014, Ricky Gervais was named the most influential London Twitter user, highlighting his impact on social media.
2014: Reacted to Letterman's retirement
In mid-2014, upon hearing that David Letterman was retiring, Ricky Gervais humorously suggested they go on a road trip to spend all their money, trying to discourage Letterman from retiring.
2014: Night at the Museum Trilogy Conclusion
The Night at the Museum film series, in which Ricky Gervais starred, concluded in 2014.
2014: Conclusion of Derek
The television series Derek, created and starred by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2014.
March 2015: Genesis Award for Animal Welfare
In March 2015, Ricky Gervais received the Genesis Award from the Humane Society for his efforts in raising awareness about animal welfare on social media.
May 2015: Filming of Special Correspondents
In May 2015, Ricky Gervais began filming Special Correspondents, a comedy in which he directed and starred alongside Eric Bana. The film, about journalists pretending to report news from a war-torn country while actually being safe in New York, was released on Netflix.
November 2015: Signed up for Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank
On 5 November 2015, Ricky Gervais signed up to play Ika Chu, a villainous cat, in the animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank. The movie stars Michael Cera as Hank, a dog who wants to be a warrior and fights Ika Chu for the town of Kakamucho.
2015: Guitar Donation for Animal Welfare
In 2015, Ricky Gervais donated a signed acoustic guitar to raise funds for the Story Book Farm Primate Sanctuary. The guitar was later signed by several celebrities to further boost fundraising efforts.
2015: Guest Star on Galavant
In early 2015, Ricky Gervais guest-starred in the comedy mini-series 'Galavant' as Xanax the magician, showcasing his singing skills.
May 2016: Stand-Up Performance in London
In May 2016, Ricky Gervais performed stand-up in London, starting with low-key warm-ups with cast members from 'Derek,' marking his return to stand-up after about six years.
2016: Release of David Brent: Life on the Road
In 2016, Ricky Gervais directed and starred in David Brent: Life on the Road, a mockumentary following David Brent, a character first seen in The Office series, as he lives his dream of being a rockstar.
2016: David Brent Songbook Release
In 2016, Ricky Gervais released the David Brent Songbook of 15 songs as part of the promotion for the film David Brent: Life on the Road.
June 2017: Endorsement of Jeremy Corbyn
In June 2017, Ricky Gervais endorsed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn in the UK general election, urging his followers to vote for Corbyn to prevent Theresa May from winning.
October 2017: Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius Debut
In October 2017, Ricky Gervais began hosting the weekly radio show Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius on Sirius XM, which ran until 2019.
2017: Lord Houghton Award for Animal Welfare
In 2017, Ricky Gervais was awarded the Lord Houghton Award for Service to Animal Welfare by Animal Defenders International, recognizing his efforts to protect animal rights.
2017: Humanity Show Continues
Throughout 2017, Ricky Gervais continued his 'Humanity' stand-up show, performing at various venues.
May 2018: Netflix Orders 'After Life'
On 9 May 2018, Netflix announced a production order for the first season of the comedy-drama 'After Life,' created, directed, and starred in by Ricky Gervais. The series was executive-produced by Gervais and Duncan Hayes, with Charlie Hanson as producer.
2018: SF Sketchfest and SuperNature Announcement
In 2018, Ricky Gervais appeared at SF Sketchfest as part of his 'Humanity' tour, alongside Christopher Guest. He also announced his next tour and Netflix special, 'SuperNature.'
2018: Humane Society International Cecil Award
In 2018, Ricky Gervais received the Humane Society International Cecil Award for his social media activism against trophy hunting.
March 2019: 'After Life' Premieres on Netflix
On 8 March 2019, 'After Life' premiered on Netflix. The series was created, directed, and starred in by Ricky Gervais, who also served as an executive producer.
April 2019: 'After Life' Renewed for Second Season
On 3 April 2019, Netflix renewed 'After Life' for a second season, continuing the success of the series created by Ricky Gervais.
September 2019: Gervais Receives Richard Dawkins Award
On 3 September 2019, Ricky Gervais was honored with the Richard Dawkins Award for his contributions to secularism and rationalism. The award ceremony took place at London's Troxy Theatre, where Richard Dawkins praised Gervais as a 'witty hero of atheism and reason.'
2019: After Life Debut
In 2019, Ricky Gervais created, wrote, and starred in the television series After Life.
2019: Death of Ricky's Brother Larry
In 2019, Ricky Gervais's brother, Larry, who was a schoolteacher, passed away.
2019: Second Rose d'Or Award
Ricky Gervais won his second Rose d'Or award in 2019, highlighting his continued success in the entertainment industry.
2019: Conclusion of Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius
The weekly radio show Ricky Gervais Is Deadly Sirius, hosted by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2019.
2019: SuperNature Shows Continue
Throughout 2019, Ricky Gervais continued performing his 'SuperNature' stand-up shows.
April 2020: Second Season of 'After Life' Launches
On 24 April 2020, the second season of 'After Life' launched on Netflix, continuing the story created and directed by Ricky Gervais.
May 2020: Ricky Gervais Signs New Deal with Netflix
In May 2020, Ricky Gervais signed a new deal with Netflix, which included a third season of 'After Life.' He expressed his love for the series and its characters.
2020: Final Hosting of Golden Globe Awards
In 2020, Ricky Gervais hosted the 77th Golden Globe Awards, receiving both praise and criticism for his opening monologue. He declared it would be his final appearance as host.
2020: Fifth Golden Globe Hosting
In 2020, Ricky Gervais hosted the Golden Globe Awards for the fifth time, solidifying his status as a prominent awards show host.
2020: SuperNature Shows and COVID-19 Impact
In 2020, Ricky Gervais's 'SuperNature' stand-up shows faced cancellations and postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2021: SuperNature Tour Resumes
In August 2021, Ricky Gervais resumed his 'SuperNature' tours after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2021: Rewriting Extinction Campaign
In October 2021, Ricky Gervais joined the Rewriting Extinction campaign to combat the climate and biodiversity crisis. He collaborated with illustrator Rob Steen to create the comic story 'Bullfight,' which was published in the book 'The Most Important Comic Book on Earth: Stories to Save the World.'
2021: Launch of 'Absolutely Mental'
In 2021, Ricky Gervais launched 'Absolutely Mental,' a paid-for audio series featuring his conversations with philosopher Sam Harris. The series saw its second season also launched in the same year.
2021: 20th Anniversary of 'The Office'
In 2021, on the 20th anniversary of 'The Office,' Ricky Gervais remarked that the show would not have been produced in 2021 due to cancel culture. He mentioned that he welcomed the idea of it being canceled as he had already been paid.
March 2022: Launch of Season 3 of 'Absolutely Mental'
In March 2022, Ricky Gervais launched season 3 of 'Absolutely Mental,' an audio series featuring his conversations with philosopher Sam Harris.
July 2022: 15 Million Twitter Followers
By July 2022, Ricky Gervais had amassed 15 million followers on Twitter, whom he affectionately calls 'Twonks.'
2022: Conclusion of After Life
The television series After Life, created and starred by Ricky Gervais, concluded in 2022.
March 2023: Teased 7 Minutes project
In March 2023, Ricky Gervais teased his project 7 Minutes by tweeting a photograph from the setting.
May 2023: Release of 7 Minutes
In May 2023, the BBC aired 7 Minutes, a short film directed by Ricky Gervais about two people wanting to commit suicide at the same train station. The film is part of the station's Comedy Shorts series.
December 2023: Release of Armageddon Comedy Special
On 25 December 2023, Ricky Gervais released his comedy special 'Armageddon' on Netflix, which faced controversy for making a joke about cancer patients but later won a Golden Globe award.
