Stephen James Merchant (born 24 November 1974) is an English writer, director, radio presenter, comedian, and actor. Merchant is best known for his collaborations with Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington, as the co-writer and co-director of the popular British sitcom The Office, co-writer and co-star of Extras, and co-host of The Ricky Gervais Show in its radio, podcast, audiobook, and television show forms. The Ricky Gervais Show in radio form won a bronze Sony Award. He is also known for his voice role as Wheatley in the 2011 video game Portal 2. Merchant appeared as himself in the BBC series Life's Too Short, which he co-wrote and co-directed. He also appeared in the episode "The Girl Code" of The Simpsons as the computer program ConRad, co-developed the Sky1 travel series An Idiot Abroad, and performs as a stand-up comedian. He has won three BAFTA Awards, four British Comedy Awards, and an Emmy Award. In 2013 he created, wrote, and directed HBO series Hello Ladies. His most recent project is starring in his first play by English playwright Richard Bean, The Mentalists, which was in London at Wyndham's Theatre in July and August 2015.
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