In House M.D., which actor plays the title character, Gregory House?

Hugh Laurie plays Gregory House in House M.D.

Laurie is an English actor, musician, and writer who became internationally recognized for portraying the brilliant but abrasive American diagnostician. His performance combines medical confidence, sarcasm, physical pain, and addiction-related conflict. The role earned him major television honors and made him one of the best-known British actors working in American television drama.

Before House M.D., Laurie was widely known in the United Kingdom for comedy. He worked with Stephen Fry in the sketch series A Bit of Fry & Laurie and appeared in the historical comedy series Blackadder. He also had film roles and performed music, including blues and jazz-influenced material.

Laurie’s American accent in the series was convincing enough that some early viewers did not realize he was British. The casting also shaped the show’s identity: House was inspired partly by Sherlock Holmes, and Laurie’s controlled, highly verbal performance emphasized the character’s deductive approach. Laurie remained the central performer through all eight seasons.