Ricky Gervais Celebrates 26-Year Anniversary of Being Made Redundant at 37 and Trying Out as a Comedian
Ricky Gervais, the renowned actor, writer, producer, and director, is commemorating 26 years since he was made redundant and took a leap of faith into the world of comedy at the age of 37. The 63-year-old star, famous for creating iconic TV shows and comedy moments like The Office, reflected on his journey that led him to where he is today.
Having achieved success with his recent project, After Life, which has garnered a global viewership of 140 million people, Gervais shared a flashback to his humble beginnings. Before his rise to fame with his distinctive dark humour, he worked as an assistant events manager at the University of London Union (ULU) and later as the head of speech at Xfm, an alternative radio station. In 1998, at the age of 37, he faced redundancy, which became a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.
Taking to Twitter, Gervais acknowledged the anniversary of this significant event in his life, reminiscing, “Twenty-six years ago, I was made redundant and given a few grand. I decided that if I was careful, I could live off the money for 6 months trying to become a comedian before I had to get another job. I was 37. Worth a punt.” Despite the challenges he faced, his determination, talent, and sheer hard work paved the way for his success.
Originally from a working-class background in Reading, Gervais admitted to being inherently creative but lazy. His partnership with Stephen Merchant on The Office proved to be a turning point in his career, propelling him to international acclaim. Reflecting on his upbringing and attitude towards success, Gervais acknowledged the importance of hard work and dedication in achieving one’s goals. He recognised that the journey itself is the ultimate reward and that embracing the process is key to personal growth and fulfilment.