Hugh Laurie played Gregory House, the sarcastic diagnostic specialist in House M.D.
Laurie is an English actor, musician, and comedian who became internationally recognized for the role. His performance combines House’s extraordinary diagnostic ability with chronic pain, drug dependence, impatience, and a habit of insulting colleagues and patients. The role required Laurie to carry both the medical mysteries and the show’s darker character drama.
Laurie originally auditioned using an American accent, which helped convince the producers that he could play the New Jersey-based doctor. His performance earned two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Television Series—Drama, in 2006 and 2007. He also received multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for the role.
Before House, Laurie was widely known in Britain for comedy, especially his work with Stephen Fry and appearances in Blackadder and Jeeves and Wooster. After the series, he continued acting and released music as a singer and pianist. House remained his signature television performance.