Ricky Gervais Quotes & Sayings

Your God is the best God. In fact, he's the only God. All other Gods are ridiculous, made up rubbish. Not yours though. Yours is real. — Ricky Gervais

Growing up, the two things that made my blood boil were religious intolerance and animal cruelty. I've never understood it. I can't stand to have an animal in pain. — Ricky Gervais

I've never done anything for the common consensus. I do things to please me. If you are happy with something yourself, you become bulletproof. — Ricky Gervais

I get so sick of people asking: "What's your demographic?" Or: "Oh we've got to aim this at ... " No, you have to aim it at you. You do the thing you would love ... make the thing you would love and be proud of. There's enough people in the world that, if you do that and do it well as a single vision, they'll go: "That's my favourite thing ever!" — Ricky Gervais

If you can't joke about the most horrendous things in the world, what's the point of jokes? What's the point in having humor? Humor is to get us over terrible things. — Ricky Gervais

I think everyone has the ability to be loved. — Ricky Gervais

I can't stand it. I can't stand someone being embarrassed. I don't know why. If someone slips over and the first thing they do is look around, I pretend I haven't seen it. — Ricky Gervais

We want to see a struggle. We want to see people falling over but getting themselves back up on their feet, and that's what's extraordinary- ordinary people and their struggle. There's nothing as interesting as real life out your window. You walk down the street for half an hour, I'll give you half an hour of drama. — Ricky Gervais

I've got the attention span of a child. — Ricky Gervais

I think doing something creative is the most important thing to me, and I think it's probably just good for the soul for anyone, whatever it is. You don't have to be a film director - you can do gardening or something - but I think everyone needs to create something. — Ricky Gervais

Being an atheist makes someone a clearer thinking, fairer person. They [atheists] are not doing things to be rewarded in heaven; they're doing things because they're right, because they live by a moral code. — Ricky Gervais

The truth doesn't hurt. Whatever it is, it doesn't hurt. It's better to know the truth. — Ricky Gervais

The service in L.A. is the best. You don't get sarcastic, surly, fed-up waiters and waitresses like you do in England. They're good at their job and they're there for the customer. The only depressing thing is a lot of them have written more screenplays than me. — Ricky Gervais

The best advice I've ever received is, 'No one else knows what they're doing either. — Ricky Gervais

I never had a plan. I just sort of ambled along, doing exactly what I wanted every day of my life. — Ricky Gervais

I've always dabbled. I've always nearly written a book, I've always tried painting, I've always tried to make something out of ideas, really. It was never a plan. I never thought, Right. First I'll get famous, and then I'll do a book. — Ricky Gervais

The terrible thing in England is if you interview a thousand people, five hundred of them will talk like they're going into a Guy Ritchie movie and the other five hundred will be Mr. Darcy. So we had to find cool, working class kids with no profile who could be John Travolta and James Dean and people like that. — Ricky Gervais

You have to be 100% behind someone, before you can stab them in the back. — Ricky Gervais

I'm a failed pop star. I always sneak a song into everything I do. — Ricky Gervais

I have to be excited, I have to have an adrenaline rush about doing something, or it bores me, I feel trapped. — Ricky Gervais

I think the social faux par is probably what most people fear ... more people fear public speaking than death and that's because we don't want to make a fool of ourselves. It's fundamental. — Ricky Gervais

It's going to be a night of partying and heavy drinking. Or as Charlie Sheen calls it: Breakfast. — Ricky Gervais

Atheism is the lack of belief in a god (or gods). It makes no claim. It merely rejects the claim that a god (or gods) exists. Nothing more. — Ricky Gervais

If you're surrounded by idiots, you're the unpopular one and the odd one out because idiots don't like smart asses. — Ricky Gervais

When I direct my own scripts, it's much easier as it's been in my head for a year already. What I love about this is having an idea and seeing it come to fruition onscreen. I would like to direct someone else's script one day, but I might not get round to it before I die - you can't legislate for being hit by a bus! — Ricky Gervais

Hollywood is responsible for some of the greatest and worst movies of all time! — Ricky Gervais

It's a privilege to be in such a great category of people and ... I don't believe in God, so I'd like to thank dogs. Dogs have given me everything. — Ricky Gervais

A joke isn't yours. It's used and you don't know where it's been. — Ricky Gervais

You are the result of billions of years of evolution. You will only live for a few years and will never exist again. Absolutely beautiful — Ricky Gervais

There are so many films now where you know the story is a supporting role to the visual effects. — Ricky Gervais

I'm basically a 'do unto others' type person. I don't have any religious feelings because I'm an atheist, but I live my life like there's a God. And if there was he'd probably love me. — Ricky Gervais

Whatever else is happening, things are better in the sun. — Ricky Gervais

Never fear the truth. No bad can come of discussing a true subject. No bad at all. — Ricky Gervais

I'm not a person that's easily embarrassed, but I'm embarrassed for other people. — Ricky Gervais

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you believe in god, you're wrong. — Ricky Gervais

No one wants to see cool people doing brilliantly. I want to see the struggle. That's the fun bit. — Ricky Gervais

Body language is more powerful than words. — Ricky Gervais

The existence of God is not subjective. He either exists or he doesn't. It's not a matter of opinion. You can have your own opinions. But you can't have your own facts. — Ricky Gervais

If David Brent is the best thing that I ever come up with, then so be it. What are you supposed to do, time the best thing you do for just before you die? — Ricky Gervais

People think that it's fun to meet celebrities - but what do you mean by "celebrity"? Someone you recognise? What are they famous for? It's people who've done something that are exciting. — Ricky Gervais

Look, just tell me where that lemon came from and I'll shut up and go away. — Ricky Gervais

Comedy and drama are different sides of the same coin. And the thing about comedy and drama is about likability. It's about character first. It's about story. And for me, it's about empathy, and I think the realer someone is, the further you can go either way with them. — Ricky Gervais

There are good and bad critics like good or bad artists. A good critic says why they didn't like it. A bad critic gives it away that they don't like you as a person. I quite like that as well, because it means that I've won. — Ricky Gervais

We didn't evolve; God made us. So I just want to explain to you exactly how that happened ... Some of the things you'll hear do sound a little bit far-fetched. I admit that. Then I found out that the other name for The Bible is The Gospel, so it is all true. Luckily, the clue is in the title. — Ricky Gervais

I remember one review of The Office Christmas Special that compared it unfavourably to Dickens. What? You're saying I'm not as good as the greatest storyteller ever. Boo! Boo! I think I can live with that. — Ricky Gervais

When you get back into the editing suite in the cold light of day, the written stuff is better. — Ricky Gervais

To complain about critics in a business is like a sailor complaining about the waves. Go back to the beach if you don't like it. — Ricky Gervais

I don't think a comedian should even be concerned with being cool or sexy, as soon as you do, you aren't a comedian any more. Looks are still the most important thing for women when it comes to meeting a partner. And that's fair enough, but a sense of humour is really important too. For starters, it's a great indicator of whether you are going to get on. If the first time you go on a date you don't find each other funny, there's a fundamental problem. — Ricky Gervais

I'm not a film snob at all. I much prefer a really good Hollywood blockbuster than a thought-provoking art house movie because entertainment is sort of where it's at. — Ricky Gervais

You could easily spot any Religion of Peace. Its extremist members would be extremely peaceful. — Ricky Gervais

I don't think it matters if there is a god or not. I've met people who believe in God that are good and that are bad. And I've met people who don't believe in God that are good and that are bad. So, just be good. I'm good. Not cos I think I'll go to heaven but because when I do something bad, I feel bad. And when I do something good, I feel good. — Ricky Gervais

I like every part [of the film process ] except the business and admin stuff. The initial idea. Writing. Re-writing. Casting. Directing, Editing. If I had to chose I'd say writing, followed by putting music on the picture. That is magical. — Ricky Gervais

I think comedy has to be an intellectual pursuit. It comes down to logic and analysis. As soon as it becomes emotional, it's not comedy anymore. — Ricky Gervais

I used to believe in God. The Christian one, that is (There are a few thousand to choose from. But I was born in a country where the dominant religion was Christianity so I believed in that one. Isn't it weird how that always happens?). Luckily I was also interested in science and nature. And reason and logic. And honesty and truth. And equality and fairness. By the age of eight I was an atheist. — Ricky Gervais

We only do what we think is good and what we're happy with. I do that in stand-up, I even do it with my children's books. I don't do market research, I don't have focus groups, I don't care. I don't care if it fails, honestly. I'd rather have something that's completely mine fail than something succeed that I'm not proud of. — Ricky Gervais

Celebrities, make it harder for hackers to get nude pics of you from your computer by not putting nude pics of yourself on the computer. — Ricky Gervais

Where's our Paul Newmans? Where's our Robert Redfords? We've got Jason Statham, who is great ... blue collar and cool, which is fantastic. And we've got Hugh Grant, which is great. But where's this crossover, this blue collar guy who is cool? Where is our James Dean? Where is our John Travolta and Steve McQueen? — Ricky Gervais

Wearing cosmetics that were tested on animals makes you ugly on the inside — Ricky Gervais

Just looking at all the faces here reminds me of some of the great work that was done this year ... by cosmetic surgeons. — Ricky Gervais

Real racist jokes or sexist jokes aren't funny - not because they're offensive, but because they're not true. As soon as a joke is based on an untruth, it's not funny. — Ricky Gervais

You can just keep getting it worse until you have to pull back and let the audience breathe. But yeah, I really love digging. — Ricky Gervais

I don't think humans are meant to be looked at when we're buying pants. — Ricky Gervais

I never understood redemption when I was young. Even before I was an atheist, I always thought with the prodigal son, "well, why's he getting the special treatment?". — Ricky Gervais

I don't see myself as part of an acting fraternity or a comedy fraternity. — Ricky Gervais

The grass isn't always greener on the other side! — Ricky Gervais

I had great memories of growing up in a working class estate. I remember it being sunny all the time. So we're putting that on screen. It's not people wallowing in degradation. — Ricky Gervais

I've never worked out what the moral of Humpty Dumpty is. I can only think of: Don't sit on a wall, if you're an egg. — Ricky Gervais

Opinions don't affect facts. But facts should affect opinions, and do, if you're rational — Ricky Gervais

I use people's real voices because I want realism. So often I mention the actors' physicality because I want it to be like a real documentary. — Ricky Gervais

For any of you who don't know, the Golden Globes are just like the Oscars, but without all that esteem. The Golden Globes are to the Oscars what Kim Kardashian is to Kate Middleton. A bit louder, a bit trashier, a bit drunker, and more easily bought. — Ricky Gervais

Growing up, the most important thing, after taking care of your family and getting a decent job of work, was having a laugh. That was the point to life. — Ricky Gervais

You try to make characters you care about, and I think realism helps. Even though this is a high concept, the characters have got to be real. — Ricky Gervais

That's what life is, it's the small struggles. You walk down the street for half an hour, you see half an hour of drama. You don't need convoluted plot lines. You don't need long-lost brothers. You don't need it's set on the future; it's set on the moon. — Ricky Gervais

She said, 'I'm your biggest fan,' and I said, 'Who are you?' She said, 'Paris Hilton.' — Ricky Gervais

I think that's the fundamental thing - you can go anywhere you like as long as you're following a character that the audience likes and understands. — Ricky Gervais

Everything you do is autobiographical. Yeah, I grew up in a town called Redding and I had older brothers and sisters so it's all my memories of growing up. — Ricky Gervais

If you pay attention to good critics, you have to listen to the bad. So you have to ignore them all really. You can't just cherry pick the glowing ones. — Ricky Gervais

I don't believe in about 2700 Gods. Christians don't believe in 2699 Gods. They're nearly as atheistic as me. — Ricky Gervais

When you think of things like The Sopranos, The Wire, Damages, they are beating film on a regular basis. Most films are terrible. It's only the 2% that are good. There's things you can do on TV which you can't do on film. There is something about those episodic, serialisations that are grand and operatic. — Ricky Gervais

Never confuse your right to say what you believe with a right to never be disagreed with and ridiculed for saying what you believe. — Ricky Gervais

I want to get all the nations of the world together, it doesn't matter what colour or creed, and I want to sit them down and say: "Guys, The Office is still available on DVD." — Ricky Gervais

Pol Pot - he rounded up anybody he thought was intellectual and had them executed. And how he told someone was intellectual or not was whether they wore glasses. If they're that clever, take them off when they see him coming! — Ricky Gervais

Daniel Day-Lewis would play me as a baby. He can do anything. Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt are fighting out for me now. And Meryl Streep will play me after the sex change. I haven't told you about that, have I? — Ricky Gervais

Since there is absolutely no logical reason to assume there is an afterlife, I decided to make the life I have now as much fun as possible. — Ricky Gervais

It's interesting that music in this country ... we sort of sold something to America with The Beatles and they sold something back. And we've never been afraid to embrace American style rock 'n' roll and make it our own over here. — Ricky Gervais

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth ... Then he said, "Let there be light." Which means he made the entire universe in the dark! How fucking good is that? He's brilliant. — Ricky Gervais

[As a kid] I did enjoy making people laugh but I was also attracted to funny people. I'm [still] quite happy to not be the one trying to make other people laugh. I'm happy laughing at someone else. I enjoy laughing and I'll happily be the one just laughing all night if you can make me laugh. — Ricky Gervais

I've never regretted saying no to anything, or finishing something. When I'm in the middle of doing something I love, I can have a better idea, and I'll go, "Oh God, I can't finish this." Maybe I've got some sort of disorder. — Ricky Gervais

I see myself much more as a writer/director or at least an aspiring writer/director - not necessarily in film. — Ricky Gervais

Blasphemy: a law to protect an all-powerful, supernatural deity from getting its feelings hurt. — Ricky Gervais

Next time someone tells me they believe in God, I'll say 'Oh which one? Zeus? Hades? Jupiter? Mars? Odin? Thor? Krishna? Vishnu? Ra? ... ' If they say 'Just God. I only believe in the one God,' I'll point out that they are nearly as atheistic as me. I don't believe in 2,870 gods, and they don't believe in 2,869. — Ricky Gervais

My favourite shows of the year are House of Cards, the Scandinavian versions of The Killing and The Bridge, and my guilty pleasure is everything MMA. Ultimate Fighter is amazing. — Ricky Gervais

Ignorance might be bliss for the ignorant, but for the rest of us it's a right fucking pain in the arse — Ricky Gervais

I always knew I had to be 100 percent in charge, even when I was a middle manager. I used to say to my boss, "Just give me enough rope and then fire me." I always knew I had to be 100 percent in charge, even when I was a middle manager. I used to say to my boss, "Just give me enough rope and then fire me." — Ricky Gervais

I feel that a lot of British comedy is often too bombastic, too obvious, dressing up and shouting and pulling funny faces. — Ricky Gervais

I've never been insulted by hateful satanists for not believing in their devil. Only by loving Christians for not believing in their God. — Ricky Gervais

For every wacky postcard, there's a million people waiting to buy it, and for every $10 million of those things, there's one Rembrandt. Purposely, I think I want to aim at doing something that a lot of people won't like. I'm just worried that it looks like I've compared my work with Rembrandt. "Gervais says he's better than Rembrandt!". — Ricky Gervais

Try something. And never be afraid to fail. That failure is useful too. It's just another building block. — Ricky Gervais

Popularity and democracy aren't a judge, they're just stats. — Ricky Gervais

Everyday life is interesting enough, whether it be in an office or being ignored on the set of something supposedly more glamorous. — Ricky Gervais