Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Stephen Merchant Biography

Birth Name:Stephen James Merchant

Birth Place:Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Profession Actor, Writer, Producer, Director, Soundtrack, Script department

Fast Facts

Bullied as a child due to his awkward height and appearance, he often buried himself in his schoolwork and was known to be an excellent, yet shy student
Quote: "When I was a teenager I met a comedian who I admired and he was very rude to me․ That's why when people come up to me I try not to be rude․"
Quote: "[on making "Cemetery Junction" a drama instead of a full-on comedy] "It's in line with the films me and Ricky [Gervais] like watching ․․․ Films about small lives but big emotions․ We're not interested in zany comedy movies or doing science fiction satires․ We made the kind of film we want to see․""
He began his radio broadcast career immediately following graduation from the University of Warwick, while also performing stand-up comedy routines on the side
After meeting eventual writing partner Ricky Gervais in 1997, the two would go on to become the team behind "The Office", "Extras" and other successful comedic serials
Often completes voice-over work for video games such as Portal and commercial advertisements for companies such as Barclays and Waterstones
Second cousins with Sara Dallin of musical group, Bananarama

Awards

2002BAFTA TV Award-Situation Comedy Award: winner
2002Writer's Award-: winner
2003BAFTA TV Award-Situation Comedy Award: winner
2003Writer's Award-: winner
2004BAFTA TV Award-Situation Comedy Award: winner
2005British Comedy Award-Best New TV Comedy: nominated
2005British Comedy Award-Best TV Comedy: nominated
2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2006BAFTA TV Award-Best Situation Comedy: nominated
2006BAFTA TV Award-Best Writer: nominated
2006Banff Rockie Award-Best Comedy Program: winner
2006British Comedy Award-Best TV Comedy Actor: winner
2006British Comedy Award-Best TV Comedy: nominated
2006Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Comedy/Entertainment: nominated
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2006WIN Award-Outstanding Comedy Series: winner
2006WGA Award (TV)-New Series: nominated
2006WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: nominated
2007BAFTA TV Award-Best Writer: nominated
2007BAFTA TV Award-Best Comedy Performance: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: nominated
2007WGA Award (TV)-Comedy Series: winner
2007Writers' Guild of Great Britain Award-Best TV Comedy/Light Entertainment: nominated
2008BAFTA TV Award-Best Comedy Performance: nominated
2008Banff Rockie Award-Best Comedy Program: winner
2008Writer's Award-: nominated
2008Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Comedy/Entertainment: nominated
2008PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
2009Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Comedy Series: nominated
2011TV Quick Award-Best Comedy Show: nominated
2012Broadcasting Press Guild Award-Best Multichannel Programme: nominated
2012National Television Award-Most Popular Factual Programme: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Television Movie: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Structured Reality Program: nominated
2017PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Competition Television: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Structured Reality Program: nominated
2018PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Competition Television: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Structured Reality Program: nominated
2020Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
2020HFCS Award-Best First Film: winner
2021CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: winner
2022BAFTA TV Award-Writer, Comedy: nominated
2023BAFTA TV Award-Male Performance in a Comedy Programme: nominated
2023RTS Television Award-Supporting Actor - Male: nominated
2024TV Times Award-Favourite Actor (Comedy): nominated