December 21, 2004
Ricky Gervais rejects massive Hollywood pay deals
I like Ricky Gervais, he's funnny, and despite a lot of the television series The Office making you laugh and squirm at almost the same moments, it was still one of the most original and comedic programs in a long time. His stand up is also very, very funny, I'm sure any Canadian Comic associated with the MovieBlog would agree!
It's also refreshing to know that he has morals, and bags of them, or else he just loves talking himself up like so many Bond associated actors. However, he has been quoted in IMDB as saying that he's not in this business for the money and has turned down around £10 million worth of roles. He said that he was embarrassed by the amount of money that he was offered for a second series of The Office, never mind the money from Hollywood.
Among the roles Gervais has turned down are English butler Higgins in George Clooney's remake of 80s TV program Magnum PI, a part alongside Al Pacino in The Merchant Of Venice, a role in the upcoming Pirates Of The Caribbean sequel, and a cameo in TV drama 24. Gervais, 43, says, "The money being offered was criminal. But I am not interested in money. I'm interested in doing something I am proud of. Money gives me the creeps. I hate it when people print how much I'm getting paid. It's not guilt. It's embarrassing enough being an actor for a living - it's a worthless, pointless job. But when people know you earn a thousand times what a nurse earns it's f**king embarrassing. I am not proud of my earnings. I'm proud of my work. I've probably turned down £10 million."
If it's true, the roles he's been offered are interesting. Okay, he's close to the Higgins look and he might carry a part in The Merchant of Venice especially since it is a UK production, and there's a natural connection in Pirates with his co star from The Office, but 24? Doesn't this just reek of grabbing someone with some recent headlines and carrying some public recognition, especially since he's actually well liked and respected, and throwing them at a movie?
Still I am really glad to hear his comments regarding his pay, and despite that I'm stunned to see he turned down so much money! He could have taken it and given it to some nurses. Now, that is a different movie!
Posted by at December 21, 2004 06:10 AM
Comments
Posted by: CrzyDJM at December 21, 2004 06:39 AM
this guy is offically the greatest.
where are the north american actors with this much sense and integrity?
Posted by: miles at December 21, 2004 07:40 AM
Hello Chris!
Yesterday I watched "Not Another Teen Movie" and It's great film I think!
You are very,very handsome:*
Posted by: Girl from Poland at December 21, 2004 08:59 AM
Dunno, I could easily see him playing some sleazy criminal mastermind on 24. It would be a delicious part for hom. Especially if they wrote it so he was a US gov't insider doing nefarious deeds and setting up others to take the fall for them.
Posted by: Lilly at December 21, 2004 09:06 AM
The Office is hilarious.
I loved the episode where he did motivational speaking. It was over the top.
Posted by: doug nagy at December 21, 2004 09:24 AM
Well, he did do a guest appearance as a terrorist on Alias, so...
Posted by: tom at December 21, 2004 09:48 AM
I think the coolest part of what he said was that being an actor is a "worthless, pointless job". I mean, on the one hand, you have to wonder if he truly believes that, why is he doing it? But on the other hand, you don't hear many actors ever question their profession or the entertainment industry in general. He brings up a good point. Entertainment has its place in our lives but the money value associated with it in most people's minds is completely out of wack. Sometimes it is painfully obvious that we need to re-evaluate our priorities.
Posted by: Sean at December 22, 2004 12:56 AM
he's also well aware of how odd the USA industries choices can be : its very easy to misjudge a character when you dont quite understand how the mans voice and mannerisms are percieved in terms of his being british and its relationship to the british psyche ... as a baddy in something, i think he would be terrible : bordering on astonishingly misjudged...
having said that, he is the most amazingly remarkable man...
Posted by: logboy at December 22, 2004 08:12 AM
i want to become an actor?
can you help me
Posted by: henry at February 2, 2005 01:20 PM
Yo
All I can say is that The Office is hands down the best comedy series since Fawlty Towers. So many classic lines, I can't even pick a favourite. And Gervais did an outstanding job, especially since he wasn't even a professional actor when the series started. Merchant and Gervais have the kind of chemistry last seen with the Pythons.
Posted by: dalailammox at September 4, 2005 07:08 AM
Definitely the BEST part of "The Office"....That show is brilliant, funny stuff...