Stephen Merchant

Last updated on the 31 May 2025 by Maeve

Mini Biography

Born: 24 November 1974, Bristol, England.

Stephen Merchant is an English comedian, actor, director, and writer. He is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais, such as co-creating TV comedy series The Office, Extras, and Life’s Too Short. He also co-hosted The Ricky Gervais Show in various formats, and co-developed the travel documentary series An Idiot Abroad. He has won numerous awards, including a Peabody Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three BAFTA Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and the Rose d’Or.

Stephen Merchant attended Hanham Secondary School. He graduated from the University of Warwick in 1996 with a BA in Film and Literature. He worked as a film reviewer on the student radio station Radio Warwick, where he began his broadcasting career. He was inspired to get into comedy by John Cleese.

Merchant met Gervais in 1997, when he became his assistant at XFM London. They started working together on various radio and TV projects, most notably The Office, which premiered in 2001 and became a worldwide success. The Office spawned several international remakes, including the American version, which Merchant occasionally wrote and directed for. Merchant and Gervais also created and starred in Extras, a sitcom about actors struggling to find fame, and Life’s Too Short, a mockumentary about a dwarf actor.

Besides his work with Gervais, Merchant has also pursued a solo career as a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. He wrote and starred in the HBO series Hello Ladies, based on his stand-up material. He wrote and directed the films Cemetery Junction and Fighting with My Family, and starred in, co-wrote, co-produced, and co-directed the comedy crime series The Outlaws. He also appeared in films such as Logan, Jojo Rabbit, and The Girl in the Spider’s Web, and voiced Wheatley in the video game Portal 2.

Stephen Merchant lives in London and Los Angeles. He is 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) tall and has a distinctive West Country accent. He is a fan of Bristol City F.C. and the Boston Celtics. He has dated several actresses, including Christine Marzano and Mircea Monroe.

WINNER | Television: Situation Comedy for The Office (2002, 2003) | Television: Situation Comedy for The Office Christmas Special (2004)

Suggested viewing

The Outlaws (2021)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.7

Misfits from all walks of life begrudgingly bond over community service in Bristol. Their world explodes when they discover hidden money, thrusting them into a dangerous game with ruthless criminals. Forced to rely on each other for survival, past grudges fade as they fight for their lives and second chances.

Top cast: Christopher Walken, Stephen Merchant, Darren Boyd, Rhianne Barreto, Gamba Cole, Clare Perkins, Eleanor Tomlinson, Jessica Gunning, Scott Rose-Marsh.

Four Lives (2022)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.4

Devastated families come together after learning their sons, young gay men, died under eerily similar and suspicious circumstances. Despite flawed police investigations, they refuse to accept injustice, uncovering a serial killer and exposing deep-seated prejudice. Their relentless quest for truth not only honours their sons’ lives but also demands accountability, sparking change in the wake of profound loss.

Top cast: Sheridan Smith, Kris Hitchen, Stephen Merchant,  Leanne Best, Samuel Barnett, Robert Emms, Michael Jibson, Ben Cartwright, Memet Ali Alabora.

Click & Collect (2018)

Bftv 8.0 / IMDb 6.8

A grumpy dad bungles his daughter’s Christmas gift, leaving him and his overly enthusiastic neighbour on a frantic road trip across England. Through mishaps and mayhem, they learn the true meaning of the holiday, forging an unlikely bond and proving even the most chaotic journey can lead to heartwarming redemption.

Top cast: Asim Chaudhry, Stephen Merchant, Sophia di Martino, Sophie Willand, Darcey Ewart, Emily Aston, Tala Gouveia, Daniel Hoffman-Gill, Alex Jones.

Life’s Too Short (2011)

Bftv 8.5 / IMDb 7.5

A self-absorbed dwarf actor, struggling in his career and messy divorce, agrees to a documentary. Through cringeworthy encounters and awkward situations, he exposes the absurdities of showbiz while battling stereotypes. Despite his flaws, he grapples with self-discovery and learns life, even for a “little person,” is too precious to waste on pettiness.

Top cast: Warwick Davis, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, Rosamund Hanson, Les Dennis, Kiruna Stamell, Jon Key, Matthew Holness.

Extras (2005)

Bftv 9.0 / IMDb 8.3

An aspiring but hapless actor, stuck in “background artist” roles, engages the chaotic world of showbiz with his ditzy friend. Each episode features a celebrity playing a ridiculous version of themselves, leading to hilarious clashes and social satire. As Andy struggles for fame, he juggles self-doubt, dead-end jobs and questionable choices, ultimately discovering the price of success and the importance of friendship.

Top cast: Ricky Gervais, Ashley Jensen, Stephen Merchant, Shaun Williamson, Shaun Pye, Sarah Moyle, Andrew Buckley, Jamie Chapman, Martin Savage, Liza Tarbuck.

Full filmography (@Wikipedia)