Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais, a 44-year-old Englishman, is the star and co-creator of Britain's "The Office," a BBC comedy series in which he stars as David Brent, the thin-skinned, desperately needy manger of a group of drones on a paper manufacturer's sales team.
In 2004, "The Office" won best comedy show of the year.
He also developed a second series, "Extras," on HBO, which has earned him an Emmy nomination this year. Gervais, who has written an episode of the U.S. version of "The Office," appears in Christopher Guest's forthcoming ensemble movie, "For Your Consideration," and wrote and starred in an episode of his favorite show, "The Simpsons."
In November 2001, Gervais started the "Ricky Gervais Show" in the U.K. with Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington.
Photos: Ricky Gervais
In November 2005, Guardian Unlimited offered the show as a weekly podcast series, which was entered in the Guinness Book of Records as the most-downloaded ever. He has an acclaimed standup show, and he's a best-selling children's author.