Ricky Dene Gervais (pronounced /dʒəˈveɪz/; born 25 June 1961) is an English comedian, actor, film-maker and broadcaster. Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras, both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend and frequent collaborator Stephen Merchant. Besides writing and directing the shows, Gervais also played the lead roles of David Brent in The Office and Andy Millman in Extras. Gervais has also starred in a number of Hollywood films, recently assuming leading roles in Ghost Town and The Invention of Lying. Gervais will also host the 2010 Golden Globes, making him the first master of ceremonies since 1995. He stated: "I have resisted many other offers like this, but there are just some things you don't turn down."

Gervais has performed on three sell-out stand-up comedy tours, written the best-selling Flanimals book series and starred with Merchant and Karl Pilkington in his podcast The Ricky Gervais Show. He has accumulated a multitude of awards and honours throughout his career, including seven BAFTA Awards, four British Comedy Awards, three Golden Globes, two Emmys and the 2006 Rose d'Or, as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Gervais, along with siblings Larry, Marsha and Bob, was born and raised in the suburb of Whitley in Reading, Berkshire. Gervais's father, Jerry, a Franco-Ontarian, emigrated while on foreign duty during the Second World War from London, Ontario, Canada. Jerry met Gervais's mother, Eva, during a blackout, and they settled in Whitley.