Ricky Gervais Wishes The Office's Steve Carell "All the Luck in the World"

Though Ricky Gervais may take a crack or two at Steve Carell during awards shows, the executive producer and creator of The Office wishes his star "all the luck in the world" after he leaves the NBC series.

Who will replace Steve Carell on The Office?

"He is quite possibly the nicest, hardest-working man in America," Gervais wrote on his blog, "and it has been a joy working with him over the last six years. (And taking the piss out of him at every award show.)"

Gervais, who only stuck with the British version of The Officefor 12 episodes and a Christmas special, went on to say that he knew his job as producer would be to persuade Carell to continue with the show, "but the truth is, I believe he is doing the right thing."

"I'd be lying if I said he should do more," Gervais continued. "He shouldn't. He should move on, continue to do great work, and buy a new house every time The Office is repeated somewhere. (That's what I do ...)"

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Carell, who announced he's leaving The Office after the upcoming Season 7, has made a name for himself on the silver screen, with starring roles in The 40 Year Old Virgin, Evan Almighty and Get Smart, among others. The 47-year-old actor will hit cineplexes this summer with the animated flick Despicable Me.