A British comedian with expert delivery of bone-dry comedy, actor Ricky Gervais became famous for playing the egotistical and much-despised office manager David Brent to perfection on the BBC series, “The Office” (BBC, 2001- ), which along with being one of England's best-loved sit-coms also made a major impression in the United States. Two-faced, hypocritical, lying and inept are just a few adjectives that have been used to describe Brent, and Gervais' portrayal is so spot-on he often founds himself working overtime off-screen to prove he isn't so vain or shallow himself. Indeed, Gervais has in the past shaved off the trademark goatee upon completing a season of filming “The Office" to help distinguish himself from his character. Regardless of any aversions to being compared to Brent, Gervais certainly enjoyed the enormous success his series – co-created with one-time assistant Steve Merchant – including two Golden Globe Awards, one for Television Series, Comedy, the other for Actor in a Lead Role-Comedy (in a surprise upset, Gervais beat out popular U.S. actors including Matt LeBlanc). In just a few years, Gervais has gone from self-described slacker to successful television comedian. The actor grew up the son of a laborer in public housing in Reading, England, and soon discovered his two most prominent talents: comedy and sloth. While in college, Gervais dropped his biology major, which proved far too taxing to handle, and started a pop band called Seona Dancing. The group released two singles that cracked the charts at Nos. 117 and 70. After he realized playing music was not his cup of tea, Gervais tried the business end by managing a band called Suede, and experienced similar results. Gervais moved on to his first “real” job as an entertainments manager for the student union at University College London. After several years in an office environment – an experience that would later prove fruitful – Gervais landed a job as a DJ at the London XFM radio station. Immediately, Gervais demanded he have an assistant and was given Merchant’s name, whom he promptly called. Gervais asked Merchant if he would do all the work, and since Merchant said yes, he was hired. The two struck up a quick friendship, which later turned into a creative partnership when Merchant suggested that they work together. Gervais moved on from XFM to the BBC, dragging Merchant along with him. In 1998, Merchant shot video of Gervais improving and submitted it to channel executives. The BBC liked the footage enough to set up a series, but ultimately dragged their feet in getting it made. Meanwhile, Gervais starred as a bigoted news reporter on “The 11 O’clock Show" (Channel 4, 1998-2000). Though he was playing a character, Gervais used his own name, a decision he later regretted, because he really did not feel that, among other things, famine was a good thing. Gervais went on to host “Meet Ricky Gervais” (Channel 4, 2000), but found himself off the air only after a couple months. Then in 2001, the BBC finally picked up “The Office," but test marketing nearly killed the series. Luckily, the channel loved the series and aired it anyway. Despite focus group numbers comparable to women’s hockey, season one averaged 1.8 million viewers, and season two raked in 4.2 million – a 20 percent share of total viewership in the U.K. Gervais suddenly found himself a national celebrity, winning best comedy performer at the BAFTA TV Awards in 2002 and 2003, as well as the aforementioned Golden Globe Awards. NBC later collaborated with Gervais on an American remake of “The Office” – although he had no plans to star in or directly oversee the series – which became a modest ratings hit with Steve Carellin the Gervais role. Venturing into a less mainstream realm with HBO, Gervais also reunited with Merchant to co-create, produce and star in "Extras" (2005- ), which cast him in another hapless, chattering role--this one slightly less oblivious and more likeable than David Brent – playing Andy Millman, a workaday acting extra in the British film scene who often gets embroiled in painfully hilarious encounters with major celebrities. A favorite with Hollywood insiders, “Extras” returned for a second season on HBO in 2006. On July 18, 2007, Gervais received an Emmy nom for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as Andy Millman.