Even though TV’s most famous doctor was earning $700,000 per episode in the final season, *House* star Hugh Laurie said he still feels like a fraud.
Laurie regrets playing a “fake version” of a doctor instead of becoming a real one, as his father had hoped. He admitted that his “dad would have hated” the easier path he chose by becoming an actor.
Keep reading to find out why Laurie chose acting over medicine.
Dr. William (Ran) Laurie, Hugh’s father, had big dreams for his youngest son, born in June 1959.
Hugh Laurie was on track to follow in his father’s footsteps. His father was not only a respected physician but also a 1948 Olympic gold medalist in rowing and a graduate of a Cambridge college.
When British-born Hugh Laurie was studying at the same college as his father, he was also a member of the rowing team, with plans to train for the Olympics and then go to medical school.
However, Laurie discovered a drama club, the Cambridge Footlights, a sketch comedy group. There, he met actress Emma Thompson (*The Remains of the Day*) and his future comedy partner, Stephen Fry, who later co-starred with him in the 1997 film *Wilde*.
Laurie’s path changed completely.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the now 64-year-old actor appeared in several TV shows, including the BBC sitcom *Blackadder*, where he co-starred with Fry.
Hugh Laurie also appeared in the 1995 film *Sense and Sensibility* with Emma Thompson, with whom he had once been in a relationship. He starred in Disney’s live-action *101 Dalmatians* (1996) and even made a guest appearance on *Friends*.
In 2004, Laurie was offered the chance to play a doctor in a new TV series called *House*, a medical drama that ran for eight seasons.
In his Golden Globe-winning role as Dr. Gregory House, Laurie dropped his British accent and perfectly played the narcissistic genius who led a teaching hospital in New Jersey.
During the show’s run, Laurie became Hollywood’s most popular doctor, gaining a huge global fan base. However, life as a celebrity also brought its own challenges.
“I had some pretty bleak times, dark days when it felt like there was no way out,” Hugh Laurie said in a 2013 interview with *Radio Times* (via *Daily Mail*). “I have a strong work ethic, so I was determined never to be late or miss a single day of filming. You wouldn’t catch me calling in sick, saying, ‘I think I’m getting the flu.’ But there were times when I’d think, ‘If I had a little accident on the way to the studio and got a couple of days off to recover, that would be great.’”
Those days off didn’t come until 2012, with the final season of *House*.
After that, Laurie kept busy, appearing in TV shows like *Veep* and the 2015 science fiction film *Tomorrowland*, which starred another famous TV doctor, George Clooney.
In 2016, Hugh Laurie took on another doctor role, this time as neuropsychiatrist Dr. Eldon Chance in the TV series *Chance*.
The *Maybe Baby* star explained to the *Los Angeles Daily News*, “As a gambler, my instinct is to walk away after even a modest win… Yet I was drawn back to this wonderful project that was simply irresistible.” Comparing *House* to his role in *Chance* (which was canceled after two seasons in 2017), Laurie said, “The characters are very different. Their medical practices and attitudes toward life are completely different.”
Despite his Hollywood fame, Laurie, who also starred in 2018’s *Holmes & Watson*, still feels he let his father down by not becoming a real doctor. His father, who passed away from Parkinson’s disease in 1998, had been a respected physician.
“My father was a real doctor. If it’s true that many men try to become versions of their father and fail, it seemed fitting that I ended up being a fake version of a doctor,” said Laurie, who also played a doctor in the 2005 film *The Big Empty*.
“My father had high hopes for me to follow him into medicine,” Hugh Laurie said. “I would have liked to become a doctor myself, and I still have dreams about being one. We live in a world of shortcuts, don’t we? And I took those shortcuts. Dad would have hated that.”
Laurie calls himself a “cop-out,” adding, “Honestly, this causes me a lot of guilt.”
What do you think about Hugh Laurie’s surprising confession? Please share your thoughts in the comments below and share this story so we can hear what others think!
Nick Nolte: A Legendary Actor Celebrating 82 Years
On February 8, 2023, Nick Nolte, the remarkable actor renowned for his outstanding talent, celebrated his 82nd birthday. Nolte, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, has long captivated audiences with his amazing stage and film performances. He still exudes charm and attractiveness despite the passage of time.
With his debut performance as “Tom/Tommy Jordache” in the TV miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man (1976), Nolte’s career took off. Not only did his attractiveness catapult him to stardom in Hollywood, but so did his remarkable capacity for character development. He is without a doubt one of the most talented actors we have ever seen.
Nolte has won multiple honors during his illustrious career, including the 1991 Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama. In addition, he has been nominated for Academy Awards for his outstanding work in movies including Warriors, Affliction, and The Prince of Tides.
In the 1970s, People magazine named Nolte the Sexiest Man Alive and praised him as the embodiment of the American hero. Nolte did a fantastic job portraying the soul of a young man who weighed about 150 pounds in his part as Tommy Jordache.
In 1992, Nolte achieved a significant career turning point when he costarred with Eddie Murphy in the ground-breaking action-comedy 48 Hours. In addition to showcasing their amazing chemistry, the movie tackled significant societal concerns and featured the first-ever on-screen criticism between black and white characters. Nolte understood the film’s relevance in the aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement.
The personal life of Nick Nolte has seen its share of highs and lows. He is currently wed to Clytie Lane and has experienced three divorces. As evidenced by his widely shared mug photo from 2002, Nolte’s crazy behavior has periodically overshadowed his accomplishments throughout the years. He has experienced challenges and multiple arrests.
Nonetheless, Nolte’s path to recovery gave him courage and comfort. After getting expert assistance, he was able to maintain his sobriety for a long time. Nolte freely acknowledges that he has used alcohol as a coping method for a number of issues, including lost relationships, unfulfilled projects, and the isolation and loneliness that come with being a famous person.
Brawley Nolte and Sophia Lane Nolte, Nolte’s two daughters who have both pursued acting careers, are reasons for him to be proud father. In the movie Honey in the Head, Sophia played her father’s granddaughter and had the chance to collaborate with him. When talking about his kids, Nolte emphasizes his special relationship with Sophia and his son’s desire to become a doctor.
Nick Nolte is 82 years old, and his appearance has definitely aged. Nevertheless, his alluring charisma and indisputable good looks continue to be apparent. Nolte accepts and gracefully embraces his advanced age, seeing it as just another exciting journey. He thinks it’s important to persevere through difficult times and to treasure the chance to keep going forward and doing new things.
We cordially encourage you to share this article on Facebook with your friends and family if you are a fan of Nick Nolte and his amazing talent. Let’s honor the actor’s enduring spirit and be grateful for his exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry.
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