Ricky Gervais’s 10 Best Zings

"You know our next presenter from such films as Hudson Hawk, Look Who's Talking, Mercury Rising, Color of Night, Fifth Element, Hart's War. Please welcome Ashton Kutcher's dad, Bruce Willis!"

Gervais capitalizes on the Hollywood truism that an actor will always be known best for his love life.

"I was going to come out dressed as Adolf Hitler. … And then I was going to say, 'That's the last time I borrow a suit from Mel Gibson.'"

Gervais reveals to Conan O'Brien the one bit that the 2011 Golden Globe producers (understandably) forbade him from doing. 

"Also not nominated, I Love You Phillip Morris. Jim Carrey and Ewan McGregor, two heterosexual actors pretending to be gay. So the complete opposite of some famous Scientologists, then."

With this one well-crafted wisecrack, Gervais proves to the Hollywood Foreign Press that they should have known better than invite him to host again in 2011. And he proves to the general press that he's not afraid of inviting death threats.

"Why do you wear pajamas when you're going to bed, but you're naked the rest of the time? It's mad!"

With a face and hue recognized the world over, Elmo is definitely a celeb and, therefore, fair game, as captured on this behind-the-scenes clip from Ricky's visit to Sesame Street.

"Actors aren't just loved here in Hollywood. They're loved the world over. Because they're recognizable. You could be a little Asian child with no possessions and no money, but you see a picture of Angelina Jolie, and you think 'Mommy!'"

At the Golden Globes in 2010, Gervais demonstrates his understanding of the power and reach of celebrity. (This one might actually be true.)

"The next category contains a couple of legends, one of which we've already seen, Sir Paul McCartney. … We actually came over on the same flight. I didn't get to speak to him because I was up at the front in first class and he was behind me in coach. Saving money. He spent an awful lot last year."

When Gervais stopped by The View, he relived, among other biting remarks, his quip about fellow countryman Paul McCartney's divorce. Fortunately, he reveals the Beatle's backstage reaction.

"Enjoy your retirement. You shouldn't be working at your age anyway. Or you can always fall back on your old career: I'm sure there's still demand for a 58-year-old male lap dancer. You've still got it! What you haven't got is your own teeth anymore."

On the occasion of Simon Cowell's last American Idol appearance, Gervais appears via satellite to roast his friend. Judging from the lack of laughter, he may have underestimated his audience's degree of sincerity.

"Immediately after that video was shot, I saw a Pizza Hut. And I've never looked back."

During an interview on Late Night with David Letterman, Dave played a music video featuring a young and svelte Gervais fronting the pop band Seona Dancing. Ricky pointed his bow and arrow at his favorite bullseye: himself.

"There's been some great new TV drama this year, like Boardwalk Empire and The Walking Dead. Talking of the walking dead, congratulations to Hugh Hefner, who's getting married at the age of 84 to 24-year-old beauty Crystal Harris. When she was asked why she was marrying him, she said, 'Because he lied about his age. He told me he was 94: oh, come on!' Don't worry, hold out; just don't look at it when you touch it."

Ricky took a moment, at the 2011 Globes, to put himself in a Playmate's stilettos. Robert DeNiro, at least, was appreciative.

"The thing about the Oscars and the Golden Globes is that they've got film stars there, with their jaw lines and chiseled looks, making me feel bad. But in this room, I'm probably above-average. Steve Carrell is considered handsome – think of that! It's amazing. Rainn Wilson! No, we've got to be honest, he's weird even in this company."

Ricky's had a lot of practice mocking his own looks. But at the Emmys in 2009, he took on his American Office successors' too.