Hugh Laurie- Actor of the Week

Hugh Laurie with those baby blue eyes

I will watch just about anything with Hugh Laurie. I eventually lost interest in House, but I watched him diagnose and misdiagnose many patients before that point, often marveling at his impeccable American accent. It is very difficult for a Brit to do, as demonstrated by Emma Thompson playing a Hilary Clinton type in Primary Colors. Let's just say that Emma's accent wasn't good, but the film was. In any case, lots to admire about Hugh Laurie's career. From a guy who could be considered an Oxbridge toff, he seems very down to earth and oozes talent. Comedy, music, drama...you need it, Hugh has got it!

Hugh Laurie being presented the Perrier Comedy award by Rowan Atkinson. Emma Thompson and Stephen Fry look on.

Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson are still friends, even after dating briefly while at Cambridge together. Most importantly, they collaborated with Stephen Fry and a few other talented Brits to take the Cambridge Footlights Revue to the Edinburgh Festival and won the first Perrier Comedy Award there.

Here are a few of my fave Hugh Laurie roles, and most of them could be considered Period Pieces!

Hugh Laurie as The Prince Regent in Black Adder the Third

Prince George: What can I do to a woman that I can't do to you?
Blackadder: I cannot conceive, sir.

Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry as Jeeves and Wooster

Jeeves: Travel is highly educational, Sir.
Bertie: I cannot do with any more education, Jeeves. I was full up years ago!

Hugh Laurie as Mr. Palmer from Sense and Sensibility

Charlotte Palmer: Oh, if only this rain would stop!
Mr. Palmer: If only you would stop.

Hugh Laurie and Mark Williams stealing 101 Dalmatians (House and Mr. Weasley!)

Horace: You know, this house is creepy, I'm starvin' hungry, and so far we haven't been paid one bloody quid!
Jasper: Oh, WILL you stop MOANING?

Hugh Laurie in Stuart Little with Geena Davis and Jonathan Lipnicki

George Little: Maybe we should go home.
Mr. Little: Why?
George Little: I'm not wearing my lucky underwear.
Mr. Little: You don't have lucky underwear.
George Little: Well, maybe we should get some, and then come back for another race.

Hugh Laurie in The Young Visiters with Jim Broadbent and Lyndsey Marshal

Lord Bernard Clark: Oh, tell me you love me also, Ethel!
Ethel Monticue: I do love you also, Bernard. I love you madly. I love you with passion. You are to me like a heathen god, with your manly form and your handsome, flashing face.

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I loved his character in Spooks (MI5), Jools Siviter, and I wish I had seen him as Vincente Minelli in Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows.  Did anyone see him in that one? I love Judy Davis and I'm sure she did a great job of playing Judy Garland. He was in Spice World too, but we won't hold that against him!

So have I missed your favourite Hugh Laurie role? Are you a closet Hugh fan too? I love that Emma Thompson had to have him in Sense and Sensibility. He took Mr. Palmer from ridiculous to wonderfully compassionate with aplomb. Lovely! May have to pop in Sense and Sensibility now, as I have been quoting it all day.... 

Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken

from Shakespeare's Sonnet 116