RICKY GERVAIS DONATES AN INCREDIBLE £2.5 MILLION TO ANIMAL CHARITIES

Ricky Gervais has once again proved he’s not only one of the world’s most successful comedians, but also one of its most dedicated animal advocates. The After Life and The Office star has donated an astonishing £2.5 million to a wide range of animal charities, the largest single charitable gift of his career so far.

The donation comes from proceeds of his hugely successful Mortality world tour, which has been breaking records across continents and is set to debut on Netflix. Gervais announced the news just days before Christmas, calling the contribution a celebration of “The Spirit of Christmas” and his Golden Globes nomination.

Posting on X, he wrote:
“To celebrate my Mortality Tour, my Netflix Special, my Golden Globes nomination & The Spirit of Christmas, I am donating £2.43 Million to Animals. These are the lovely charities I've chosen. Merry Xmas Critters.”

The comedian then shared a detailed list of the 22 organisations set to benefit, with several receiving exceptionally large contributions. Major recipients include:

• The People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) – £150,000
• International Animal Rescue – £150,000
• Celia Hammond Animal Trust – £150,000
• Animals Asia – £150,000
• Nowzad (working in Afghanistan and Ukraine) – £132,000

A further 17 charities will each receive £100,000, spreading the donation across a wide and diverse network of causes, from protecting wildlife to rescuing pets, supporting sanctuaries, and funding emergency response efforts.

Ricky Gervais donated £2.5m of the profits of his recent tour – Credit: PA Media

This impressive total surpasses Gervais’s previous charity record of £1.9 million, donated two years ago to 11 organisations. Not only has the amount increased, but this year’s donation also reaches twice as many charities, a gesture warmly received by animal lovers and charity organisations worldwide.

Gervais has long used his platform to highlight cruelty-free living, global animal welfare issues, and the urgent need for stronger protections. His social media presence has become a powerful tool for activism, often drawing attention to mistreatment, illegal wildlife trading, and the importance of adoption and rescue.

The success of the Mortality tour has allowed him to expand that impact even further. With sold-out arenas, global streaming interest, and critical acclaim for its sharp, darkly funny take on life, death, and absurdity, the tour has not only entertained millions but now also promises to change countless animal lives.

Fans have responded enthusiastically to the news, flooding Gervais’s posts with messages of admiration and support. Many praised his consistent dedication to animals and his willingness to use his earnings to support meaningful, long-term change.

The charities benefiting from his generosity will use the funds for vital work ranging from medical care to rescue missions, shelter upkeep, international conservation, and emergency aid. For some, the donation represents one of the largest single contributions they have ever received.

As the festive season unfolds, Ricky Gervais’s donation stands as a powerful reminder of the difference one person can make, not only through humour and creativity, but through compassion and direct action.