Stephen James Merchant is a multifaceted English entertainer, recognized for his exceptional talents as an actor, comedian, director, presenter, and writer.
As a creative force, Merchant has collaborated with Ricky Gervais on several projects, including the groundbreaking British TV comedy series The Office, which aired from 2001 to 2003. He also co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the critically acclaimed series Extras, which ran from 2005 to 2007, and Life's Too Short, which aired from 2011 to 2013.
In addition to his work in television, Merchant has ventured into various other mediums. He has co-hosted The Ricky Gervais Show with Gervais and Karl Pilkington, which won a bronze Sony Award for its radio format. Merchant has also lent his voice to the robotic "Intelligence Dampening Core" Wheatley in the 2011 video game Portal 2.
Merchant's creative endeavors have extended to the world of travel, as he co-developed the Sky1 series An Idiot Abroad, which aired from 2010 to 2012. He has also co-created the popular Lip Sync Battle, which premiered in 2015 and continues to entertain audiences.
In 2021, Merchant starred in, co-wrote, co-produced, and co-directed the 12-part comedy crime series The Outlaws. His work in television has earned him numerous accolades, including two Golden Globe Awards, three BAFTA Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four British Comedy Awards.
As a stand-up comedian, Merchant has written and starred in the HBO series Hello Ladies, which was based on his stand-up material. He has also appeared in the London's Wyndham's Theatre production of Richard Bean's The Mentalists in 2015.
