Hugh Laurie’s Career: From ‘House’ to ‘Tehran’

Hugh Laurie is a beloved British actor, comedian, musician, and writer whose career has spanned decades and showcased an extraordinary range of talents. Many first came to know him as one half of the iconic comedy duo Fry and Laurie, where his sharp wit and brilliant character work made him a staple of UK television. His ability to portray bumbling aristocrats and affable fools with hilarious precision earned him a special place in the hearts of comedy fans.

What came next was a dramatic transformation that revealed a completely different side of his abilities and launched him into global superstardom. He proved himself to be a phenomenal dramatic actor, capable of portraying intense, complex, and deeply troubled characters. From iconic television roles that have defined a generation to a diverse array of film performances, his career is a testament to his incredible versatility, and it only continues to evolve with exciting new projects like ‘Tehran’.

‘Plenty’ (1985)

In the historical drama ‘Plenty’, Hugh Laurie plays a character named Michael. The film is based on a successful play and stars Meryl Streep as Susan Traherne, a woman who was a former British resistance fighter during World War II. The story follows her difficult and disillusioning journey as she tries to build a meaningful life in the post-war years.

Laurie’s role as Michael is a supporting part in Susan’s story. He is one of the figures she encounters as she navigates the changing social and political landscape of England over two decades. The film is a character study that explores themes of idealism, mental anguish, and the challenge of adapting to a world at peace after the intensity of war.

‘Blackadder III: the Third’ (1987)

Hugh Laurie delivered a famously hilarious performance in ‘Blackadder the Third’ as George, the Prince Regent. This installment of the historical sitcom is set during the Regency era and follows the scheming butler Edmund Blackadder as he serves the incredibly dimwitted and foppish Prince of Wales.

As the Prince Regent, Laurie created an unforgettable character who was spoiled, childish, and utterly clueless, providing the perfect comic foil for Rowan Atkinson’s cynical Blackadder. His exaggerated mannerisms and blissful ignorance were the source of much of the series’ humor. The role cemented his status as one of the UK’s top comedic actors of his generation.

‘Blackadder IV: Goes Forth’ (1989)

In ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’, Hugh Laurie reprised his role as a member of the George dynasty, this time playing Lieutenant The Honourable George Colthurst St. Barleigh. Set in the trenches of World War I, this series finds Captain Blackadder desperately trying to escape the madness of the front lines. George is his cheerful, optimistic, and profoundly naive subordinate.

Lieutenant George is an upper-class officer who faces the horrors of war with unwavering enthusiasm and a distinct lack of intelligence, often failing to grasp the severity of his situation. Laurie’s portrayal provided essential humor to the grim setting but also contributed to the show’s famously poignant and devastating final scene.

‘Strapless’ (1989)

In the drama film ‘Strapless’, Hugh Laurie plays the character Colin. The movie stars Blair Brown as an American doctor named Lillian Hempel who lives a very orderly and controlled life in London. Her world is turned upside down when she meets a charismatic and mysterious man while on vacation, leading to a spontaneous and complicated romance.

Laurie’s character Colin is part of Lillian’s life in London. The film explores themes of love, risk, and the contrast between a structured life and one that embraces spontaneity and passion. The story follows Lillian as she navigates her newfound romance and its impact on her personal and professional worlds.

‘Peter’s Friends’ (1992)

In the comedy-drama ‘Peter’s Friends’, Hugh Laurie stars as Roger Charleston. The film follows a group of six friends who were all part of a university comedy troupe. They reunite for a New Year’s Eve party at a large country estate owned by their friend Peter, ten years after they all graduated.

Roger is a screenwriter who now lives in Los Angeles with his American wife, a sitcom star. Over the course of the weekend, old tensions resurface and personal secrets are revealed among the group. Laurie’s character is part of a talented ensemble cast that explores friendship, aging, and the different paths life can take.

‘Sense and Sensibility’ (1995)

In the acclaimed adaptation of ‘Sense and Sensibility’, Hugh Laurie portrays the delightfully cantankerous Mr. Palmer. The film tells the story of the Dashwood sisters as they navigate financial hardship, social pressures, and the complicated pursuits of love and marriage in 19th-century England.

Mr. Palmer is the grumpy and sardonic husband of the very talkative Mrs. Palmer. He spends most of his screen time appearing thoroughly unimpressed with everything and everyone around him, often making dry and witty remarks under his breath. Laurie’s comedic performance provided several memorable and humorous moments in the classic romantic drama.

‘101 Dalmatians’ (1996)

In the live-action remake of ‘101 Dalmatians’, Hugh Laurie plays Jasper Badun. He and his partner Horace are two clumsy, dimwitted criminals who are hired by the villainous Cruella de Vil to steal a large litter of Dalmatian puppies. Cruella’s evil plan is to use the puppies’ fur to make a luxurious coat.

As Jasper, Laurie provides much of the film’s physical comedy and slapstick humor. He is the slightly more intelligent, though still incompetent, member of the bumbling duo. His character is constantly frustrated by his partner’s foolishness and the cleverness of the animals they are trying to capture, leading to a series of chaotic failures.

‘The Borrowers’ (1997)

In the fantasy film ‘The Borrowers’, Hugh Laurie plays Police Officer Steady. The movie is about a family of tiny people, known as Borrowers, who live secretly in the walls and under the floorboards of a regular-sized human house. Their peaceful existence is threatened when an evil lawyer plans to demolish the house.

Officer Steady is the local policeman who gets involved in the lawyer’s scheme. He is a diligent but often bewildered officer who is trying to make sense of the strange occurrences happening at the house. His character eventually becomes an obstacle for both the Borrowers and the human family trying to save their home.

‘Spice World’ (1997)

In the musical comedy ‘Spice World’, Hugh Laurie has a fun cameo role as the iconic fictional detective Hercule Poirot. The film is a satirical and self-aware adventure that follows the Spice Girls in the days leading up to a major concert, featuring a series of surreal encounters and a thin plot about a sinister newspaper owner trying to ruin their reputation.

Laurie appears in a brief fantasy sequence where he investigates a murder mystery. His appearance as the famous Belgian detective is one of many cameos from well-known British actors in the film. The role was a playful nod to his comedic roots and his ability to portray eccentric characters.

‘Cousin Bette’ (1998)

In the period drama ‘Cousin Bette’, Hugh Laurie plays Baron Hector Hulot. The film is based on the classic French novel and is set in 19th-century Paris. It tells the story of a woman named Bette who, after a life of being overlooked, decides to seek revenge on her wealthy and entitled relatives by systematically destroying their lives.

Baron Hulot is one of Bette’s relatives and a key target of her vengeful schemes. He is a man with many vices and a weakness for beautiful women, which makes him particularly vulnerable to Bette’s manipulations. Laurie’s character is a central figure in the story of family decay and retribution.

‘The Man in the Iron Mask’ (1998)

In the historical adventure ‘The Man in the Iron Mask’, Hugh Laurie plays Pierre, the Royal Advisor to the king. The film tells a story about the legendary Three Musketeers who reunite to challenge the cruel and tyrannical King Louis XIV of France. Their plan involves freeing a mysterious prisoner and placing him on the throne.

As the king’s advisor, Laurie’s character is a constant presence at the royal court. He is one of the few who dares to offer counsel to the arrogant young monarch. The role placed him in a large ensemble cast of legendary actors in a swashbuckling tale of heroism and intrigue.

‘Blackadder: Back & Forth’ (1999)

In the short film ‘Blackadder: Back & Forth’, Hugh Laurie returns to the Blackadder universe, this time playing Viscount George Bufton-Tufton and his Roman ancestor Georgius. In this time-traveling adventure, Lord Blackadder accidentally uses a faulty time machine and careens through various periods of British history with his sidekick Baldrick.

Laurie appears in the modern-day framing sequence as a character in the spirit of his previous ‘Blackadder’ roles. He also shows up during the Roman Britain segment as a Roman commander. The film was a special one-off production that reunited the beloved cast for a final comedic journey through time.

‘Stuart Little’ (1999)

In the family film ‘Stuart Little’, Hugh Laurie plays Mr. Frederick Little. He is the kind and loving patriarch of the Little family, who decide to adopt a new child. They visit an orphanage and are unexpectedly charmed by a small, talking mouse named Stuart, whom they decide to bring home as their son.

Mr. Little is a warm and gentle father who fully accepts Stuart into the family, despite the obvious challenges of raising a mouse as a human child. Laurie brought a wonderful sense of paternal warmth and quirky charm to the role, helping to ground the fantastical premise of the story with a believable and loving family dynamic.

‘Maybe Baby’ (2000)

In the romantic comedy ‘Maybe Baby’, Hugh Laurie stars as Sam Bell. He and his wife Lucy are a happily married couple who seem to have everything, except for the one thing they want most, a baby. The film follows their increasingly desperate and often hilarious attempts to conceive a child.

Sam is a commissioning editor at the BBC who, after running out of ideas for his work, decides to secretly write a screenplay about his and Lucy’s fertility struggles. Laurie portrays the character’s frustration, love, and occasional cluelessness as he navigates the emotional rollercoaster of trying to start a family while also risking his marriage for his career.

‘Chica de Río’ (2001)

In the romantic comedy ‘Girl from Rio’, Hugh Laurie plays Raymond Woods. He is a reserved and underappreciated banker from London who is obsessed with samba. After being cheated out of a promotion, he decides to embezzle money from his bank and flee to Rio de Janeiro to live out his dream.

Once in Rio, his character gets involved with a beautiful dancer and a local gangster, leading to a series of comedic and dangerous adventures. The film is a fish-out-of-water story that follows a repressed Englishman as he embraces a more vibrant and chaotic way of life.

‘Stuart Little 2’ (2002)

Hugh Laurie reprised his role as Mr. Frederick Little in the sequel ‘Stuart Little 2’. In this new adventure, the talking mouse Stuart is now comfortably settled into the Little family. He saves a small canary named Margalo from a predatory falcon and welcomes her into their home, sparking a new and exciting friendship.

Mr. Little continues to be a supportive and slightly eccentric father to all his children, both human and animal. When Margalo suddenly disappears, he and his wife support Stuart’s brave decision to embark on a perilous journey across the city to find her. Laurie once again provided the heartwarming and gentle center of the film.

‘The Young Visiters’ (2003)

In the television film ‘The Young Visiter’, Hugh Laurie plays Lord Bernard Clark. The movie is an adaptation of a comical and charmingly misspelled novella that was written by a nine-year-old girl in the late 19th century. The story is a naive and humorous take on high-society romance.

Lord Bernard Clark is a dashing and wealthy nobleman who becomes a rival for the affections of the story’s heroine. Laurie portrays the character with a playful sense of melodrama, fitting the sweetly absurd and unintentionally funny tone of the source material. He is part of a love triangle in this whimsical and unique period comedy.

‘Flight of the Phoenix’ (2004)

In the action-adventure film ‘Flight of the Phoenix’, Hugh Laurie plays Ian. The movie is about a group of oil workers who survive a plane crash in the middle of the vast and unforgiving Gobi Desert. With limited resources and dwindling hope, they must work together to try and build a new, smaller aircraft from the wreckage of the old one.

Ian is a corporate executive from the oil company who is a passenger on the plane. He is a pragmatic and often cynical character who clashes with the more optimistic members of the group. Laurie’s character represents the voice of doubt as the survivors undertake their seemingly impossible task.

‘House’ (2004–2012)

Hugh Laurie took on the career-defining role of Dr. Gregory House in the medical drama ‘House’. Dr. House is a brilliant but misanthropic and cynical diagnostician who leads a team of doctors at a New Jersey hospital. He specializes in solving bizarre and seemingly impossible medical cases that have stumped other physicians.

Laurie’s portrayal of the Vicodin-addicted, rule-breaking, and emotionally damaged genius was a global phenomenon. He completely transformed his voice and demeanor, adopting a flawless American accent to play the abrasive but life-saving doctor. The role earned him numerous awards, including two Golden Globes, and turned him into one of the most recognizable and highest-paid actors on television.

‘The Big Empty’ (2005)

In the short film ‘The Big Empty’, Hugh Laurie plays a character named Doctor. The film is a brief and thoughtful piece that explores a simple but profound encounter. The story centers on a conversation between two characters in a specific setting.

The role allowed Laurie to work in a more intimate and character-focused format. Short films often serve as a space for actors to explore different kinds of roles or collaborate with emerging filmmakers on unique and personal stories outside the constraints of large-scale productions.

‘Street Kings’ (2008)

In the gritty crime thriller ‘Street Kings’, Hugh Laurie plays Captain James Biggs. The film stars Keanu Reeves as Tom Ludlow, a veteran LAPD officer who finds himself implicated in the murder of his former partner. As he tries to clear his name, he uncovers a vast and dangerous web of corruption within his own department.

Captain Biggs is the head of the Internal Affairs division that is investigating Ludlow. He is a stern and powerful figure who seems determined to bring the rogue officer down. Laurie portrays him as an intelligent and formidable adversary, adding another layer of pressure to the protagonist’s desperate search for the truth.

‘The Oranges’ (2011)

In the comedy-drama ‘The Oranges’, Hugh Laurie stars as David Walling. The story is about two families, the Wallings and the Ostroffs, who are best friends and neighbors living in a quiet New Jersey suburb. Their comfortable lives are thrown into chaos when the Ostroffs’ adult daughter returns home and begins an affair with David.

The film explores the messy and often comedic fallout of the inappropriate relationship as both families are forced to deal with the consequences. Laurie plays a man going through a mid-life crisis whose impulsive decision impacts everyone around him, forcing a re-evaluation of friendships, marriage, and happiness.

‘Mr. Pip’ (2012)

In the drama ‘Mr. Pip’, Hugh Laurie has the lead role of Mr. Watts. The film is set in a small village on the island of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea during a brutal civil war in the 1990s. Mr. Watts is the only white man left in the village, and he decides to reopen the local school to give the children a sense of normalcy.

He begins reading them his favorite novel, ‘Great Expectations’ by Charles Dickens. The story captures the imaginations of the children, especially a young girl named Matilda, and provides them with an escape from the harsh realities of the war. Laurie gives a touching performance as a man who uses the power of storytelling to inspire hope in a time of crisis.

‘Tomorrowland’ (2015)

In the science fiction film ‘Tomorrowland’, Hugh Laurie plays the antagonist, David Nix. The story follows a scientifically-minded teenager who discovers a pin that transports her to a futuristic, utopian city known as Tomorrowland. She seeks out a jaded former boy-genius to help her get back there and save the future.

Nix is the leader of Tomorrowland, a brilliant scientist who has become cynical and disillusioned with humanity’s destructive nature. He believes the world is beyond saving and has exiled creative thinkers from his city. Laurie portrays the character as a complex villain whose motives are born out of a deeply pessimistic view of the world.

‘Veep’ (2015–2019)

Hugh Laurie joined the cast of the political satire ‘Veep’ as Senator Tom James. He is introduced as a charismatic and incredibly popular politician who is chosen to be Selina Meyer’s running mate during her presidential campaign. Tom James is charming, intelligent, and politically savvy, which makes him both a great asset and a major threat to Selina.

Laurie’s performance was widely praised for how perfectly he fit into the show’s world of cynical and power-hungry characters. He brought a smooth and effortless charm to Tom James, making the character’s ruthless ambition and condescending nature even more hilarious. His dynamic with Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s Selina Meyer created some of the series’ most memorable moments.

‘The Night Manager’ (2016)

In the thrilling miniseries ‘The Night Manager’, Hugh Laurie plays the villain Richard Onslow Roper. He is a sophisticated and charming but utterly ruthless international arms dealer. The story follows a former British soldier who works as a hotel night manager and is recruited by an intelligence agency to go undercover and bring Roper down.

Laurie portrayed Roper as “the worst man in the world,” a charismatic monster who hides his horrific business behind a facade of philanthropy and immense wealth. The role was a return to dramatic television for Laurie, and his chilling performance as the intelligent and powerful antagonist earned him a Golden Globe award.

‘Holmes & Watson’ (2018)

In the parody film ‘Holmes & Watson’, Hugh Laurie plays Mycroft Holmes. The movie is a slapstick comedy that reunites Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly as the famous detective duo Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. In this version, they are portrayed as bumbling and incompetent investigators.

Mycroft is Sherlock’s more intelligent and sophisticated older brother. He appears to offer his assistance in the duo’s latest case, which involves a threat against the Queen. Laurie’s appearance in the film was a nod to his own history with the character of Dr. House, who was famously inspired by Sherlock Holmes.

‘Catch-22’ (2019)

In the satirical miniseries ‘Catch-22’, based on the classic novel, Hugh Laurie plays Major de Coverley. The story is set during World War II and follows a U.S. Air Force bombardier who is trying to get out of flying more missions, only to be thwarted by the absurd bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22.

Major de Coverley is a revered and enigmatic squadron executive officer. He is a man of few words and is famous for renting apartments for the officers in every city the Allies capture. Laurie portrays the character with a distinguished and mysterious presence, perfectly capturing the surreal and eccentric tone of the story.

‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’ (2019)

In the whimsical adaptation of ‘The Personal History of David Copperfield’, Hugh Laurie plays the gentle and eccentric Mr. Dick. The film is a vibrant and comedic retelling of the classic Charles Dickens novel, following the title character through the many ups and downs of his life in Victorian England.

Mr. Dick is a kind but simple-minded man who lives with David’s great-aunt, Betsey Trotwood. He is fixated on writing a memorial but is constantly distracted by thoughts of King Charles I. Laurie brought a wonderful warmth and touching vulnerability to the role, making Mr. Dick one of the most lovable characters in the film.

‘Avenue 5’ (2020–2022)

Hugh Laurie returned to comedy as the lead in the science fiction series ‘Avenue 5’. He stars as Ryan Clark, the suave and reassuring captain of a luxurious interplanetary cruise ship. The ship is on an eight-week tour around Saturn when a technical malfunction sends it disastrously off course, turning the short trip into a years-long journey.

The crisis reveals that Captain Clark is actually just an actor with a drinking problem who was hired to play the part of a captain, while the real crew handles the ship. Laurie expertly portrays the character’s panic as he is forced to try and lead a ship full of terrified and demanding passengers while having no idea what he is doing.

‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’ (2022)

In the mystery miniseries ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’, Hugh Laurie plays Dr. James Nicholson. In addition to acting in the series, he also wrote and directed all three episodes. The story is an adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel and follows two amateur sleuths who try to solve the mystery behind a dying man’s cryptic final words.

Dr. Nicholson is the enigmatic and slightly sinister director of a sanatorium that the young detectives investigate. Laurie’s character is a key figure in the complex and thrilling mystery. The project was a passion project for him, allowing him to showcase his talents both in front of and behind the camera in a classic British whodunnit.

‘Tehran’ (2025)

Hugh Laurie joined the cast of the acclaimed international espionage thriller ‘Tehran’ for its third season. The series follows a brilliant Mossad agent and hacker who goes on a dangerous undercover mission in the capital of Iran that places her and everyone around her in grave danger.

In the new season, Laurie plays the role of Eric Peterson, who is a South African nuclear inspector. His character is a new and crucial player in the high-stakes world of international intelligence and covert operations. The role continues his trend of taking on complex characters in thrilling, dramatic series.

Let us know your favorite Hugh Laurie performance in the comments below.