Ricky Gervais (born June 25, 1961) is an English comedian, actor, writer and musician from Reading, Berkshire, England. He grew up in Whitley, on a council estate. Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his award-winning BBC2 television programme The Office, which he co-wrote and co-directed with long-time friend and collaborator Stephen Merchant. Besides writing and directing the show, Gervais played the lead role of David Brent.