Ricky Gervais, the British actor, comedian, writer, and filmmaker, boasts an impressive net worth of $160 million. His wealth primarily stems from his role as the creator of the globally beloved television series The Office. Originally a limited-run British show that premiered in 2001, The Office made waves when it was adapted into an American version in 2005. This American adaptation ran for nine seasons and 201 episodes, becoming one of the most profitable shows in syndication history, generating billions of dollars in royalties and licensing fees. As a result, Gervais continues to earn substantial sums whenever a new deal is struck, or the show is sold to another platform.
In addition to The Office, Gervais has garnered millions from his stand-up comedy tours and Netflix specials. His partnership with Netflix is particularly lucrative, with the streaming giant paying him $20 million for a single stand-up special. His 2023 special Armageddon was a major hit, grossing over $30 million.
Earnings from Syndication
Gervais, along with co-creator Stephen Merchant, made tens of millions during The Office’s original run through producer and creator credits. However, it’s in recent years, thanks to highly profitable syndication and licensing deals, that Gervais has really seen his earnings soar. Ricky holds at least a 10% stake in the show’s syndication equity points, meaning he collects 10% of the profits generated by The Office.
To date, Gervais has earned well over $100 million before taxes from syndication sales alone. In June 2019, NBC Universal (Comcast) secured the rights to broadcast The Office for $500 million, effective from 2021. Prior to that, the show was aired on networks owned by Viacom, like Comedy Central, and was a staple of Netflix’s streaming lineup for years.
Early Life
Ricky Dene Gervais was born on June 25, 1961, in Reading, England. His father was a French-Canadian who had returned to England, and Gervais grew up as the youngest of four siblings. He attended secondary school before moving on to University College London, where he pursued a degree in philosophy. It was during his university years that Gervais met Jane Fallon, his long-time partner. They’ve been together since 1982.
Starting His Career
Gervais’ entertainment journey didn’t begin in comedy but rather in the music industry, where he briefly attempted a pop career. After that, he shifted to radio and served as the head of speech at XFM, where he met Stephen Merchant. Gervais hired Merchant as an assistant, and their partnership would later lead to the creation of The Office. Ricky also wrote sketches for the British comedy series The Sketch Show and appeared on The 11 O’Clock Show as an intentionally offensive host. His own show, Meet Ricky Gervais, was created but didn’t achieve significant success.
Breakthrough with The Office
The duo’s major breakthrough came in 1999 when Stephen Merchant created a seven-minute short film as part of his film production course. The short featured a character named David Brent, who would go on to become Gervais’ iconic role on The Office. The film was shown to BBC executives, who were impressed and requested a pilot script. Gervais and Merchant delivered, and The Office was born.
Initially, The Office struggled to find an audience, airing just six episodes. However, word of mouth helped the show gain traction, and its DVD sales skyrocketed. This resulted in a second season, which became a huge hit. By 2003, Gervais and Merchant were hailed as comedic geniuses. The Office was so successful in the UK that it was adapted for U.S. audiences, where it ran for nine seasons. Gervais and Merchant served as producers for the American version, which became an enduring success. The show has also been adapted for international audiences in countries like Brazil, Sweden, and France.
Gervais later admitted that the success and critical acclaim of The Office helped him break into the American entertainment scene.
Life After The Office
After The Office, Gervais continued to carve out a successful career in television. One of his next major projects was Extras, which featured famous celebrities playing comedic versions of themselves on fictional movie sets. He also created The Ricky Gervais Show in 2010, among other projects. Over the years, Gervais helped create shows like Derek, Life’s Too Short, An Idiot Abroad, and After Life. An Idiot Abroad was a reality series starring Gervais’ former radio producer, Karl Pilkington, who was hilariously uncomfortable with traveling outside of England.
Ricky Gervais has been a prominent figure in stand-up comedy since the 1990s, though his career truly flourished following the success of The Office. Over the years, Gervais has performed stand-up comedy on numerous tours. Netflix has broadcast several of his comedy specials, contributing significantly to his fortune.
Film Roles
In addition to his work in television and comedy, Gervais has appeared in a number of high-profile films. He voiced the character Bugsy in the animated film Valiant in 2005. Gervais became widely known for his role as a museum director in the 2006 film Night at the Museum, a role he reprised in its sequels. Over the next several years, Gervais appeared in films such as Ghost Town, The Invention of Lying, and Special Correspondents. He also lent his voice to the animated film Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank in 2022.
Ricky Gervais has received numerous awards throughout his career. These include seven BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Gervais has also hosted the Golden Globe Awards five times, cementing his place as a key figure in entertainment.
Partnership with Netflix
Gervais’ collaboration with Netflix has been notably profitable. In 2018, Netflix reportedly paid him $20 million for a stand-up special. The same amount was paid for his 2018 special Humanity. Between June 2017 and June 2018, Gervais earned $25 million from his various ventures, ranking him among the five highest-paid comedians worldwide. His Netflix specials continue to be a major revenue stream for him.
Ricky Gervais has been in a relationship with Jane Fallon since 1982, but the couple has chosen not to marry or have children. Although Gervais is passionate about animal rights, his charitable endeavors go beyond this cause. In 2015, it was reported that Gervais had pledged to donate his entire fortune to animal rights charities. He is an outspoken critic of hunting, poaching, and illegal animal trade. His commitment to animal welfare has earned him numerous accolades, particularly from organizations such as PETA. Gervais is also a firm atheist and a supporter of same-sex marriage.
Real Estate
Ricky Gervais and Jane Fallon have made significant investments in real estate over the years. In 2006, they purchased a London home for around $6.5 million, which they later listed for $11.8 million in 2015. In 2016, the couple moved into a new property valued at just under $16 million. Additionally, they own a $3.75 million apartment in the Barbizon 63 building in Manhattan, further adding to their extensive property portfolio.
