'I Was Lucky' – Comedian Ricky Gervais Says He's 'Not Proud of Being Rich' – Asks Why He's Paid a 'Million Times a Nurse's Wages'
- - 'I Was Lucky' – Comedian Ricky Gervais Says He's 'Not Proud of Being Rich' – Asks Why He's Paid a 'Million Times a Nurse's Wages'
Fahad SaleemFebruary 18, 2026 at 1:24 AM
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Comedian Ricky Gervais says he does not take pride in being rich and credits luck for his fortune.
In a 2009 interview with CBS's "60 Minutes" recently shared on the show's X page, Gervais said he was lucky to break into show business and that many people work just as hard without earning anywhere near him.
"I'm not proud of being rich," he said. "There's nothing wrong in being rich, but it's nothing to be proud of. I was lucky. Why am I paid a million times a nurse's wages?"
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‘They Don't Do What I Do'
Asked if he is "ashamed" of being wealthy, Gervais said he is not, but added that many people work just as hard and still don't make a fortune because of the kind of work they do.
"There are people who work as hard as me and they haven't got that because they don't do what I do," he told "60 Minutes." "They don't do show business. They build walls and let someone else take it."
Gervais was asked whether he'd give away all his wealth. He said he "could" but likes the benefits that come with money.
"I like the freedom it gives me," he said. "I like having a nice house."
In December, Gervais announced to donate about $3.31 million to animal charities.
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‘Poverty Is Horrible'
Gervais, who co-created the British sitcom "The Office," said his childhood shaped how he views money. He grew up poor and noticed that people treated him differently based on his background.
"I was poor," he told "60 Minutes." "I didn't even know I was poor. I went to university and everyone spoke differently to me and spoke like the queen. Poverty is bad, poverty is horrible."
Gervais has been open about his childhood. In a 2024 post on X, he wrote that he was raised to believe skill and ability can take you far and said he is thankful for his success.
"I had no money growing up," Gervais wrote. "My dad was a labourer and my mum did everything to make ends meet. I still felt grateful though. I’m glad I had to work for every penny I have. It feels good."
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This article 'I Was Lucky' – Comedian Ricky Gervais Says He's 'Not Proud of Being Rich' – Asks Why He's Paid a 'Million Times a Nurse's Wages' originally appeared on Benzinga.com
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