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. In 2005, Gervais returned to BBC Television with his new sitcom, Extras.