'I try to be fun all the time!' Ricky Gervais, 57, says he's avoided the depression that plagues many high-profile comedians as he declares that 'life is exciting, short and finite' By Andrew Court For Daily Mail Australia Published: 15:10 GMT, 9 March 2019 | Updated: 15:10 GMT, 9 March 2019 Viewcomments He plays a suicidal newspaper reporter in his dark new Netflix series After Life. But Ricky Gervais has a much sunnier disposition away from the camera. Speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, the 57-year-old revealed he's avoided the depression that plagues many comedians, saying: 'I think I'm pretty happy, [and] I try to be fun all the time'. 'I try to be fun all the time!' In an interview with The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Ricky Gervais, spoke candidly about mental health and declared that 'life is exciting, short and finite' Ricky further told the publication: 'I'm not depressed... I think from an early age I thought the point of life was to have fun every minute of the day... To me, life is exciting, short, finite.' The Office star says that his self-esteem and his sense purpose help him to feel good. 'You have to feel you have worth — it's one of the big ticks you need in order to be happy,' he explained. 'You have to feel you have worth': The Office star says that his self-esteem and sense purpose help him to feel good Ricky's 36-year relationship with his partner Jane Fallon also helps to keep him smiling. Earlier this month, the comic told Britain's Mirror that he would be lost without Fallon whom he met at university in 1982. 'I would fall apart without her. I mean, emotionally first,' he said. 'I don't know how I'd cope with it. You don't know, do you?' Longtime love: Ricky's 36-year relationship with his partner Jane Fallon (left) also helps to keep him smiling He credits Fallon as the reason for his phenomenal success, telling the Mirror that she's the first person he turns to when he has a new idea. 'I'll go for a run and I'll go, 'I've written a joke for my stand up' and I'll tell it to her and she'll go, 'Please don't do that in public'. And I know it's a good one!' he joked. The couple, who have never married and decided not to have children, divide their time between homes in London and New York. If you need help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 Dark role: Ricky plays a suicidal newspaper reporter in his dark new Netflix series After Life. He is pictured with co-star Penelope Wilton Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility