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Ricky Gervais talks about starring in the latest Night at the Museum

Ricky has won seven BAFTAS, two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes and now he talks about playing Dr. McPhee in the film

Dark falls on Manhattan. Under the watch of Larry Daley, head of The Night Programme at the Museum of Natural History, as always, historic exhibits come to life.

But something is wrong, Larry’s friends are not behaving normally; they are starting to lose control and go wild. It quickly becomes clear that the ancient Egyptian tablet of Ahkmenrah, which breathes life into the artifacts, is corroding and running out of power. It needs to be recharged or the magic will evaporate.

Larry and his pals set off to London, where a solution may lie in the Egyptian Wing of the British Museum.
Familiar faces from the previous movies include Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt.
Ricky Gervais created British TV series The Office, in which he played David Brent. Ricky has won seven BAFTAS, two Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes and now he talks about playing Dr. McPhee in the film.

What kind of man is Dr. McPhee?
He wants to be articulate but he runs out of words mid-sentence. He’s so out of touch and he’s got that lovely blind spot I love playing. David Brent (The Office) has it as well.

Was there a lot improvisation?
When me and Ben are going for it I’d say 20 per cent of the takes are usable.

How did you get involved with Night at the Museum in the first place?
It all started with an email I got from Ben, who had appeared on my TV show Extras. He said: ‘if you want to return the favour, you can appear in my new movie.’ No pressure.

If you could go back and meet somebody from the past who would you pick?
Laurel and Hardy, Winston Churchill, Isaac Newton, Charles Darwin. I’m fascinated with science and these are visionaries; people who changed the world. I like innovators and people who thought differently.

What is it like working with all these brilliant comedic actors?
I had scenes with Rebel Wilson which were very funny. It is always an honour to be asked to do a movie, particularly when you have people like Ben and Robin Williams to work with.

Is it very moving watching Robin Williams in the film, as Teddy Roosevelt?
Yes, I was shocked by Robin’s death, number one because he was obviously too young, two because I knew him quite well and worked with him and he was an absolute joy, and three because I wasn’t aware of any of his problems. I don’t read gossip. So it was a doubly shocking for me that there was this sadness, because he always seemed to be happy. When you were with him he always said nice things about you.

He was always trying to make everyone laugh and I mean everyone, like the crew, people who came up to him, or a runner asking what he wanted for lunch. He was always trying to make people feel good. It was remarkable. When you’ve been in the business as long as he has, I’d forgive him for being jaded. But he wasn’t. He was a lovely guy.

Were you funny as a kid?
I did enjoy making people laugh but I was also attracted to funny people. I’m quite happy to not be the one trying to make other people laugh. I’m happy laughing at someone else. I enjoy laughing and I’ll happily be the one just laughing all night if you can make me laugh.

What makes you laugh?
Someone trying to be funny probably isn’t as funny as someone who doesn’t want to be funny but is and can’t help it.

Who do you find funny?
Larry David is funny. I did Curb Your Enthusiasm and he’s one of the people who giggles and ruins as many takes as me. Jerry Seinfeld’s great. I love Zach Galifianakis.

Do you take time off?
No, as Winston Churchill said: ‘if you find a job you really love you’ll never work again,’ and that’s what it feels like for me. I know how lucky I am to be here, what a privilege it is and every day I remember that. My dad was a labourer. He worked for fifty years getting up at five in the morning, sometimes six days a week, in all weathers carrying bricks and concrete. How can I complain? I get paid a ridiculous multiple of what my dad earned every year, to the point that I have to stop thinking about it because I feel guilt and shame and worthlessness.

How do you relax?
We [Ricky and his partner, novelist Jane Fallon] don’t book two weeks in the Bahamas and do nothing, but if I have to do a ‘promo’ in New York, we will go there for ten days. I do ten hours work and then we’re in our apartment, seeing friends and walking in the park. It’s like a holiday.