Hugh Laurie Net Worth

How much is Hugh Laurie worth?

For those who might only know Hugh Laurie from his Emmy nominated and Golden Globe winning character on the Fox medical drama “House”, it might be a surprise that Laurie had quite an extensive career in entertainment long before he took on the role of eclectic and caustic Dr. Gregory House. But once you get a glimpse of his resume, it’s evident the reasons he was able to master playing a surly, medicated, often abrasive leader of a diagnostic physician department. Ironically, Laurie played a character felled by a misdiagnosed aneurysm in his thigh that left him with a permanent limp!

What many people were not aware of, including myself, was Hugh’s versatility, much of it being acquired well before the casting call of “House.” Just as a qualifier, Laurie had already worked for twenty three years in show biz. Among his credits-he has acted, directed, written and produced many different projects over the years. He’s been a singer and author, as well as having done substantial voice work. He is half of the Brit comedy duo “Fry and Laurie” with fellow comedian Stephen Fry, The road to “House” was also fortified with more than fifteen movies in the lead up to his big break in 2004.

Laurie was born in 1959 in the city of Oxford, England, approximately a one hour trip from London. As a kid, Hugh patterned himself after his father, who had been an Olympic gold medal winner in 1948 in the sport of rowing. Upon attending Cambridge University, Laurie launched his own competitive rowing career and aspired to reach the Olympics like his father. But after being diagnosed with a case of glandular fever, Hugh was strongly advised to put an end to his competitive rowing days.

At this point, Laurie decided to join “Cambridge Footlights”, which was a prestigious drama club at his university. There, he would convene with talented thespians while trying to get a feel for the direction he wanted to go. It was during this period he would meet actress Emma Thompson as well as future comedy partner Stephen Fry. He and Fry started developing comedy routines, and have remained a performing act intermittently to present day. All the while, Laurie was stacking movie credits and working with some of the best comedic minds in the UK.

During the 80s and 90s, Laurie had consistent work resulting from his ability and willingness to take on any role. “Fry and Laurie” had built up a sizable following in the UK, while his television and movie credits piled up. He even appeared in music videos by Annie Lennox, Spice Girls and Kate Bush. He also had a guest part on an episode of “Friends”, one of the biggest American sitcoms during the 1990s. Hugh’s movie credentials were on the rise, acting in films like “Stuart Little I and II” and “The Man in the Iron Mask” starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Like most people in show business, Laurie had put together a strong body of work. He had success and increasing exposure. But the industry is fickle, and Laurie knew that success can be fleeting. Understandably, he continued working, but after more than two decades, he also started to wonder if he had reached a plateau. Would this be the extent of his success?

The true measure of success in show business is most often determined by American tv and film directors and ultimately by American viewers. Many artists have become highly accomplished around the world, only to hit a brick wall in the US market. Laurie enjoyed increasing exposure, but he wasn’t getting any younger. The offer in 2004 from Fox could not have come at a better and more pivotal moment in Hugh’s career. Not only was this an opportunity unlike any before, but Laurie was taking on a highly challenging, almost daunting character. This really was the chance of a lifetime, and Hugh dove in head first, making believers out of American viewers from the beginning of the series. At the height of the show’s popularity, Laurie reportedly took in a salary between $350,000 and $400,000 per episode! Oh, I also forgot to mention that Laurie’s American accent was so good that most people didn’t even know Hugh was not from the states!

Laurie’s exploits on “House” are really a composite of everything he does so well. It was quite easy to feel a sense of annoyance with his character, as if Dr. House came off as superior and arrogant in his self-absorption. But as the series moved on in years, the script continually rooted out the myriad of facets and emotions lying under the surface. Laurie was nothing less than brilliant in the character, and he made it look easy.

There’s a theory about life that argues all of one’s experiences have made you the person you are in the present. This especially applies to Laurie. He spent decades toiling, stepping out of one lane and into another, and the whole time he kept improving upon what he had been before. In that sense, “House” was an induction ceremony for a man who had busted his tail for twenty three years, the culmination of hard work and daring. It was a combination of all the traits and qualities that had led him to the edge of true stardom, and in the moment he seized the golden opportunity.

Summing-Up

Hugh Laurie’s biography is overflowing with credits and life experience. As a young man, he followed his dream to become an Olympic rower. When that avenue was exhausted, he simply channeled the desire to excel into the next chapter of his life. He didn’t flinch. He didn’t waver. Above all, he did his best no matter the medium or the audience. As Dr. Greg House, time and time again he would put together a diagnosis of a patient to his staff and interns, and they’d look at him dumbfounded. They’d wonder if the old man had finally lost his mind. In the end, he made his diagnosis make sense. He just cleverly messed with their minds along the way. Vintage Hugh Laurie style!