Hugh Laurie

Hugh Laurie
Jeroen Komen from Utrecht, Netherlands · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Hugh Laurie
Birth date	June 11, 1959
Birth place	Oxford, England
Occupation	Actor, Musician, Comedian

Hugh Laurie is a renowned British actor, musician, and comedian, best known for his iconic role as Dr. Gregory House in the American medical drama House. Born in Oxford, England, Laurie developed a passion for acting and music at a young age, influenced by his parents, Ran Laurie and Patricia Laidlaw. He attended Selwyn College, Cambridge, where he studied archeology and anthropology, and was a member of the Cambridge Footlights Drama Society, alongside fellow comedians Stephen Fry and Emma Thompson.

● Early Life

Laurie's early life was marked by a strong interest in sports, particularly rowing, which he pursued at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He was also an avid musician, playing the piano and guitar in various bands during his time at Cambridge University. Laurie's father, Ran Laurie, was a doctor and an Olympic gold medalist in rowing, who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. His mother, Patricia Laidlaw, was a homemaker and a volunteer at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History. Laurie's family moved to Scotland when he was a child, where he attended St. Columba's College in Kilmacolm.

● Career

Laurie's career in entertainment began in the 1980s, when he joined the Cambridge Footlights Drama Society, a renowned theatrical club that has launched the careers of many British comedians, including John Cleese, Eric Idle, and Graham Chapman. He appeared in several stage productions, including Hamlet and The Importance of Being Earnest, alongside fellow actors Stephen Fry and Tilda Swinton. Laurie's breakthrough role came in the 1980s, when he appeared in the British sitcom Blackadder, alongside Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson. He also appeared in the American sitcom Friends, playing the role of Dr. Leonard in the episode The One with Ross's Wedding, Part Two.

● Music

In addition to his work in acting, Laurie is also a talented musician, who has released two blues albums, Let Them Talk and Didn't It Rain, featuring guest appearances by Tom Jones, Irma Thomas, and Dr. John. Laurie's love of music was influenced by his childhood heroes, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. He has also performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, and has appeared at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

● Personal Life

Laurie is married to Jo Green, a theatre administrator, and they have three children together, Charlie, Bill, and Rebecca. He is a self-proclaimed atheist and has been involved in several charity organizations, including the Red Cross and the Save the Children foundation. Laurie is also a passionate environmentalist, who has supported several conservation efforts, including the World Wildlife Fund and the Greenpeace organization.

● Filmography

Laurie's extensive filmography includes roles in Tomorrowland, Catch-22, The Oranges, and Sense and Sensibility, alongside Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet, and Alan Rickman. He has also appeared in several television shows, including House, Saturday Night Live, and The Simpsons, and has lent his voice to several animated films, including Monsters vs. Aliens and Hop. Laurie's performances have earned him numerous award nominations, including several Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award.

● Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Laurie has received numerous award nominations for his work in acting and music. He has been nominated for several Emmy Awards for his role in House, and has won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series. Laurie has also been recognized for his work in music, receiving a Brit Award nomination for Best British Male Solo Artist. He has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has been appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to drama. Category:British actors