Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie
Jeroen Komen from Utrecht, Netherlands · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Hugh Laurie
Caption	Laurie at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival
Birth name	James Hugh Calum Laurie
Birth date	11 June 1959
Birth place	Blackbird Leys, Oxford, England
Occupation	Actor, comedian, musician, writer, director
Years active	1981–present
Spouse	Jo Green, 1989
Education	Dragon School, Eton College
Alma mater	Selwyn College, Cambridge (BA)

Hugh Laurie is an acclaimed English actor, comedian, musician, and writer, internationally renowned for his portrayal of the misanthropic medical genius Dr. Gregory House on the American television series House. His career began in British comedy, notably as part of the Fry and Laurie sketch duo with Stephen Fry and as a member of the ensemble cast of Blackadder. A multi-talented performer, Laurie is also an accomplished blues pianist and vocalist, having released several studio albums and performed with artists like Joe Bonamassa.

Early life and education

James Hugh Calum Laurie was born in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, to William Laurie, a physician who won a gold medal in the 1948 Summer Olympics, and Patricia Laidlaw. He was educated at the Dragon School in Oxford before attending the prestigious Eton College, where he was a contemporary of Emma Watson's father and took up rowing. Laurie proceeded to Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he studied anthropology and archaeology and joined the Footlights drama club. It was at Cambridge University that he met his future comedy partner Stephen Fry and was elected President of the Cambridge Footlights in 1980, succeeding Emma Thompson.

Acting career

Laurie's early professional work was in comedy, beginning with the Footlights revue The Cellar Tapes, which won the Perrier Award at the 1981 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. He and Fry were subsequently offered their own show, Alfresco, on Granada Television. His breakthrough came with roles on the BBC historical sitcom Blackadder, playing various characters across several series alongside Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson. The success of the sketch series A Bit of Fry & Laurie and the Jeeves and Wooster adaptations of P. G. Wodehouse's stories cemented his status. A move to American television led to his iconic role on House, for which he received two Golden Globe Awards and six Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Subsequent notable roles include the scheming Senator Tom James on Veep, the villainous Mr. Dick in The Personal History of David Copperfield, and a starring role in the HBO miniseries The Night Manager.

Music career

A skilled musician since childhood, Laurie is a proficient pianist, guitarist, drummer, and harmonica player. His musical career gained significant attention with the 2011 release of his debut blues album, Let Them Talk, recorded in New Orleans with guests like Dr. John and Tom Jones. The album reached number two on the UK Albums Chart and won the Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Album. He followed this with Didn't It Rain in 2013 and the live album Live on the Queen Mary. Laurie has performed at major venues including the Montreux Jazz Festival and collaborated with the Copper Bottom Band. His musicianship has been featured within his acting roles, notably on the soundtrack for House.

Personal life

Laurie married theatre administrator Jo Green in 1989, and they have three children together. The family resides primarily in Los Angeles but also maintains a home in the United Kingdom. An avid rower and pilot, Laurie has also been involved in charitable work, supporting organizations like Comic Relief and serving as an ambassador for the British Red Cross. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2018 Birthday Honours for services to drama. Laurie has been open about his struggles with severe clinical depression in the past.

Filmography and discography

Laurie's extensive filmography includes leading roles in films such as Stuart Little, Flight of the Phoenix, and The Oranges. His television work spans from Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster to House, Veep, and The Night Manager. His discography comprises the studio albums Let Them Talk and Didn't It Rain, alongside the live album Live on the Queen Mary and various soundtrack contributions.

Awards and nominations

Throughout his career, Laurie has received widespread critical acclaim and numerous accolades. For his performance on House, he won two Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama and was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He has also received Screen Actors Guild Award nominations and won a Satellite Award. His work on Veep earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series nomination. In music, his album Let Them Talk earned a Blues Music Award.

Category:1959 births Category:Living people Category:English male film actors Category:English male television actors Category:English comedians Category:English blues musicians Category:Alumni of Selwyn College, Cambridge Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire