As a fellow entertainer who has walked the same path as these two legendary Method actors, I must say it was quite fascinating to witness their dedication and commitment to their craft in the greenroom. They were like chameleons, blending seamlessly into their characters, leaving us yearning for a glimpse of their true selves.
When Ricky Gervais’ BBC Two sitcom “The Office” became a worldwide phenomenon, it wasn’t only the comedian who felt the impact. Tim Oliver’s life was also significantly altered. Since 2004, the year following the show’s initial U.K. wrap-up, Oliver has been portraying David Brent in impersonations, and to this day, he continues to earn a living by embodying one of the most enduring comedy characters ever created.
As a passionate movie reviewer, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing the exceptional talent that is Oliver. Hired for virtually every occasion under the sun – bachelor parties (known as “stag dos” in the U.K.), weddings, promotional videos, awards ceremonies, and corporate speeches – Oliver consistently delivers performances that leave audiences spellbound.
As reported by Oliver, it appears that Gervais recognizes Oliver’s work. They first crossed paths in 2014 when Oliver served as Gervias’ body double for the movie “Muppets Most Wanted”. On his website, there is a quote from Gervais saying, “Tim is the best!” It’s worth noting that Gervais has experience with stand-ins himself. In 1998, before achieving fame through “The Office”, he co-wrote and starred in an episode where he played a middle-aged man aiming to break into show business as a David Bowie impersonator. Interestingly, Oliver’s voice and mannerisms bear a striking resemblance to Brent, even outside of performances. Recently, Oliver discussed his unusual 20-year career portraying the character and the unique experience of earning a living by taking on another person’s identity.
What year did you begin working in this field, and what led you to choose it? You started in 2004. Prior to that, you were managing an events company. One of your assistants, Sophie, suggested that a character on the Monday night BBC Two show “The Office” sounded similar to you. After watching the show, you initially thought you wouldn’t pursue it, but eventually, you did and found enjoyment in it. You felt it would be a shame not to capitalize on this opportunity, hoping it continues for as long as possible – although you understand that it will inevitably come to an end, likely soon.
Have these platforms – Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn – boosted your profile in the last two years?
Absolutely! The last two years have seen an incredible surge with TikTok, Instagram, and even LinkedIn, especially since LinkedIn caters more to business-to-business interactions. And David Brent fits into almost every scenario, let’s face it. I’ve even taken part in a wake. I’d say I’m busier than ever before.
It’s a strange feeling to engage in this professionally. When I explain it to others, it seems almost unbelievable or absurd. In the beginning, when people on the street recognize me by saying “Are you Ricky?” or similar, it was very disconcerting and took some getting used to. However, when they do recognize me, there’s a sense of relief, like I can still earn a living from this. I can separate my personal life – I have kids and am married – but sometimes I find myself saying things that sound just like Brent. Over time, it feels like I’ve become him to some extent.
Does it sometimes make you feel uneasy or peculiar to be so dependent on a single individual’s success in their profession? After all, they are not personally known to us, despite having worked with them and standing in for them at times. One can only hope that unforeseen circumstances never jeopardize your own career.
Have you ever wondered if the fact that I’m more connected with Brent from The Office shields me from criticism over Ricky Gervais’ jokes about transgender individuals? It’s a thought that frequently comes to my mind. You see, when The Office first aired, it was a different era, and some things said in the show, which might be considered inappropriate in real-life settings today, were acceptable at the time. For instance, in a comedy club or at a gathering, there are certain topics that an entertainer wouldn’t dare to touch because the audience isn’t there for a live performance; they’re there for a wedding or a conference, and it’s not the same as being Ricky Gervais, who can say whatever he wants on stage when people have paid to see him perform.
A few years back, I took an office quiz in a Central London building. During the quiz, I used the term “transvestite,” but that’s not appropriate nowadays. A young HR assistant, who seemed unfamiliar with the character, asked me to refrain from using that word. The audience was expecting me to say something like Ricky would, so as she walked away, I jokingly said, “Oh, sorry, ginger.” Given my role, everyone found it hilarious. Later, her supervisor approached me and thanked me for slightly teasing her since she’s quite particular about everything. That incident was unique, as I usually adapt to the environment I’m in. Ricky Gervais is now worth half a billion dollars, so he might not care if he gets canceled, but I need to maintain my professional image to secure future opportunities.
Do you occasionally step out of your role? How challenging is it when there’s no script to follow?
In a TV series titled “Lookalikes,” I played the leading role. The U.S. production team brought in actors who resembled Robert De Niro and Tom Cruise, and they were Method actors. While hanging out in the greenroom, we’d engage in conversations about our personal lives. Remarkably, neither of them broke character during our interactions. Their performances were exceptional, but when they left, we were all a bit let down because we couldn’t learn more about their real lives.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=J0ncc0bSkBg
Have you ever seen some private moments during bachelor parties, like stag dos?
Could it be possible that we share the same regional influence, despite our different hometowns? After all, while I say things like “Ooh, let me tell you something,” Ricky prefers “Let me tell you summat.” These little differences make us unique, but there’s a similarity in our speech patterns. People often ask me if my voice is authentic, to which I respond, “No, actually, I’m originally from Glasgow.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=_li9hjNSFO8
Is it alright if I don’t disclose my income details? I manage well enough to afford a decent car, maintain a home, and take vacations – those are the important things.
What’s the extent of the writing task at hand? There’s quite a bit of content to work with, and I tend to customize things too. For instance, when Ricky hosted the Golden Globes, many people requested my services as Ricky instead of David Brent. They’d share juicy gossip about upper management, and I’d extract it in an entertaining manner. People seem to appreciate it when you poke fun at those in power. I write it in a style similar to Ricky, making it enjoyable to put things down in writing and then deliver them humorously.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=ToU3D7IJjRA
Do you have close relationships with other people who resemble you?
In 2010, I appeared on Britain’s Got Talent as part of a group of seven look-alikes known as the Chippendoubles. The members included me, David Beckham, Gordon Ramsay, Will Smith, Mr. T, Simon Cowell, and Daniel Craig. We stay in touch via a WhatsApp group and often meet up for dinner or social events in London. The look-alike community is quite close-knit because it’s relatively small. Everyone usually knows everyone within the group.
Are you curious about Ricky Gervais’ opinion of you? I always make an effort to keep him informed about anything I might be doing that could potentially become public knowledge. Occasionally, I jokingly think, “If I ever do something truly scandalous, I could say to Ricky, ‘Ricky, if you want me gone, just pay me off – I’ll take £5 million.’
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2024-11-04 19:54