Biography
Who is Hugh Laurie?
Early Life and Education
James Hugh Calum Laurie was born on June 11, 1959, in Oxford, United Kingdom. His father, Ran Laurie, was a physician who won an Olympic gold medal in rowing. His mother was Patricia Laidlaw. Hugh has an older brother, Charles Alexander Lyon Mundell Laurie.
Hugh attended the Dragon School and later Eton College. In 1978, he enrolled at Selwyn College, Cambridge, studying archaeology and anthropology. He was a competitive rower like his father, winning a British national title in 1977 and competing in the 1980 Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race.
Start in Comedy and Acting
A bout of glandular fever led Hugh to stop rowing and join the Cambridge Footlights drama club. There, he met Emma Thompson, who introduced him to Stephen Fry. In 1980–81, Hugh served as the president of the Footlights, with Emma Thompson as vice-president.
Their revue, The Cellar Tapes, won the first Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This success led to a West End transfer and a television version, which then resulted in a new sketch comedy show for Granada Television called Alfresco. Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry then formed the comedy double act Fry and Laurie, starring in the BBC sketch series A Bit of Fry & Laurie and the adaptation Jeeves and Wooster.
Television and Film Career
Hugh appeared in the period comedy Blackadder from 1986 to 1989, playing various roles including Prince George. His film roles include Sense and Sensibility in 1995, 101 Dalmatians in 1996, and Stuart Little. He also had a guest role on Friends in 1998.
From 2004 to 2012, Hugh Laurie starred as Dr. Gregory House in the Fox medical drama series House. He earned two Golden Globe Awards for this role and was listed in the 2011 Guinness World Records as television's most-watched leading man. After House, he won another Golden Globe for his role as Richard Onslow Roper in The Night Manager. He also received an Emmy Award nomination for playing Senator Tom James in the HBO sitcom Veep.
Music and Writing Ventures
Beyond acting, Hugh Laurie is also a musician. He released two blues albums, Let Them Talk in 2011 and Didn't It Rain in 2013, both receiving positive reviews. His musical genres include blues and pop music.
He is also a writer. Hugh wrote the novel The Gun Seller, which was published in 1996.
Family Life
Hugh is married to Jo Green. They have three children together: Charles Archibald Laurie, William Albert Laurie, and Rebecca Augusta Laurie.
Birthday and age
Hugh Laurie was born on June 11, 1959, which makes Hugh 67 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Hugh shares the date with 27 other famous people.
Explore more
