Stephen Merchant's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Extras (UK) Darren Lamb Hello Ladies Stephen An Idiot Abroad (UK) Stephen Mer… The Ricky Gervais Show Stephen Mer… Stephen Mer… Bromwell High (UK) Mr. Phillips

Main Movie Roles

BIOGRAPHY:

Stephen James Merchant (born November 24, 1974) is an English writer, director, radio presenter, comedian, and actor. He is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, as the co-writer and co-director of the popular British sitcom The Office, co-writer, co-director, and co-star of Extras, and co-host of The Ricky Gervais Show in its radio, podcast, audiobook, and television show forms. The Ricky Gervais Show in radio form won a bronze Sony Award.

Merchant appeared as himself in the BBC series Life's Too Short, which he co-wrote and co-directed. He also voiced the character Wheatley in the popular 2011 video game Portal 2, co-developed the Sky1 travel series An Idiot Abroad, and performs as a stand-up comedian. He has won three BAFTA Awards, four British Comedy Awards and an Emmy Award. He recently starred in a role on a show he created, wrote, and directed, called Hello Ladies. His most recent project is starring in his first play by English playwright Richard Bean, The Mentalists (play). The play opens in London at Wyndham's Theatre in July 2015.

Born in Hanham, Bristol to Jane Elaine (née Hibbs), a nursery nurse, and Ronald John Merchant, an insurance representative. He attended Hanham High School. He attended the University of Warwick in Coventry, and a former film reviewer on the student radio station, Radio Warwick, where he began his broadcasting career.

Merchant lives in Los Angeles and recently purchased a home once owned by Ellen DeGeneres. He has a second home in London. He is a self-described atheist.

Merchant has used his unsuccessful experiences in dating for his comedy act. He dated digital advertising executive Claire Jones from 2007 to 2009 and has since been romantically linked to actresses 'Rose Byrne' and 'Hayley Atwell'.


TRIVIA:

• (2007) Currently hosts his own show on BBC 6 Music.
• Son of 'Ron Merchant' (qv).
• Brother of art director 'Alexandra Merchant' (qv).