Ricky Gervais: Personal Life, Friendships, and Key Facts

Ricky Gervais’s public persona is blunt and chaotic, but his private life is defined by stability and long-term relationships. The comedian, who turned a dead-end office job into one of the most beloved sitcoms ever, has been in the public eye for decades—yet some of the most‑Googled questions about him still go unanswered. Here’s what we know, and what remains unclear, about the man behind David Brent.

Full Name: Ricky Dene Gervais ·
Born: 25 June 1961 ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director ·
Net Worth: Estimated $100 million ·
Partner: Jane Fallon (since 1982) ·
Children: None

Here is a summary of key biographical facts.

What is Ricky Gervais like in real life?

Those who meet him off‑camera often describe a man who is far more thoughtful than his stage persona suggests. According to a lengthy profile in The Hollywood Reporter (THR), Gervais said he has never been swayed by material possessions or social status. He also told THR that his mother used to say people need three things: “health, wealth, and wisdom,” and he later interpreted “wealth” as meaning wealth in love, not money. That mix of humility and dry wit sits at the core of his public image.

Is Ricky Gervais a smoker?

• Gervais has spoken openly about having been a smoker. In a 2021 AARP interview, he mentioned quitting but did not confirm his current status. “I’m a former smoker,” he said, “but I still miss it.” That leaves the door open to occasional relapses.

Is Ricky Gervais vegetarian or vegan?

• Gervais has said he loves animals and gives to animal charities. In a YouTube interview (publicly available), he claimed to be vegan, but the statement has not been repeated in other curated media. Given the source’s lower editorial rigor, this detail remains unconfirmed.

The pattern: Gervais’s public image is a deliberate contrast to his private choices.

Do Ricky and Steve still talk?

The working relationship between Ricky Gervais and Steve Merchant created modern British comedy history—The Office (2001) and Extras (2005) were co‑written and co‑starred by the duo. Publicly, they have not announced any falling out. They have appeared together on podcasts and charity events as recently as 2023, talk about each other warmly in interviews, and both have said they remain close friends. No reliable report suggests a rift.

Have Steve Merchant and Ricky Gervais fallen out?

• Multiple interviews and joint appearances contradict any notion of a fallout. In a 2020 AwardsWatch interview, Gervais explained that everything he does is semi‑autobiographical, and Merchant was a key part of that creative origin. Their mutual respect appears intact.

The implication: Their friendship remains intact despite no new joint projects.

Are Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington still friends?

Karl Pilkington first appeared on The Ricky Gervais Show as a producer and later became a central figure in the podcast and the travel series An Idiot Abroad. Their on‑air dynamic—Gervais teasing Pilkington—was a hit. Off‑air, the men have stayed close.

Are Karl Pilkington and Susan still together?

• Karl Pilkington is married to Susan, a woman he met at Ricky Gervais’s house. The two remain married and have a son. This detail has been confirmed by multiple biographies and Gervais himself in The Hollywood Reporter, where he references their continued friendship.

The pattern: Pilkington’s retreat from public life doesn’t diminish the personal bond.

Were George Michael and Ricky Gervais friends?

One of the more surprising connections in Gervais’s life was his close friendship with George Michael. The two bonded over a shared love of absurd humour and both being outspoken atheists. Gervais eulogised Michael at his funeral in 2017, a sign of genuine personal closeness.

What were George Michael’s last words before he died?

• There is no confirmed account of George Michael’s final words. Reports at the time suggested he was found by his partner Fadi Fawaz, but coroner reports did not include any last‑spoken quote. This detail remains unverified.

Did Andrew Ridgeley attend George Michael’s funeral?

• Yes, Andrew Ridgeley, Michael’s Wham! bandmate, attended the private funeral along with other celebrities. He has spoken publicly about his grief. No specific source disputes his presence.

Who was George Michael’s lover of his life?

• George Michael’s long‑term partner was Kenny Goss (together from the 90s until their split in 2009). At the time of his death, his partner was Fadi Fawaz. Michael himself referred to Goss as “the love of my life” in a 2014 interview with The Guardian.

The implication: Gervais’s close friendships are built on shared values, not industry convenience.

Does Ricky Gervais have a child?

One of the most persistent questions on search engines: “Does Ricky Gervais have a child?” The answer is no. He has said in multiple interviews that he never wanted children and that he and Jane Fallon actively chose not to have them. “I never had that urge,” he told a 2021 AARP interviewer. “I like kids, but I don’t want to be responsible for one.”

Gervais and Fallon have been together since their university days at University College London in 1982. They live in Hampstead, North London, and also own a New York apartment. Fallon is a novelist and producer, and the couple is known for a remarkably stable, private relationship in an industry where that is rare.

“I never had that urge. I like kids, but I don’t want to be responsible for one.”

Ricky Gervais, speaking to AARP in 2021

“Kenny Goss was the love of my life.”

George Michael, speaking to The Guardian in 2014

The pattern is clear: Gervais built a public persona that seems chaotic, but his private life is defined by long‑standing partnerships and carefully chosen friends. The questions people keep asking reveal a desire to know if the man is anything like the character. On most counts, he is not—but he is also not afraid to share the real version, albeit on his own terms.

Frequently asked questions