Hugh Laurie, born James Hugh Calum Laurie on June 11, 1959, in Oxford, England, has made a significant impact on the entertainment industry with his multifaceted talents. The son of an Olympic gold medal-winning rower, Laurie followed his father's athletic footsteps and rowed while attending Eton College and Cambridge University. However, it was during his time at Cambridge that Laurie discovered his passion for performance, joining the prestigious Cambridge Footlights drama club. This decision marked the beginning of a successful career in acting, music, directing, and writing. Laurie first gained recognition as part of a comedy duo with Stephen Fry, starring in popular British shows such as A Bit of Fry and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. His breakthrough in American television came with his role as the irascible Dr. Gregory House on the medical drama House M.D., a role which earned him two Golden Globe awards and several Emmy nominations. Beyond acting, Laurie has also showcased his musical talents as a blues musician, releasing two well-received albums, Let Them Talk and Didn't It Rain. Despite his success in Hollywood, Laurie has never strayed far from his British roots. He has starred in a number of notable British productions, including the critically acclaimed miniseries The Night Manager and the political satire Veep. Beyond screen, Laurie's talents extend to the literary world as well; he authored the novel The Gun Seller, a thriller that was met with positive reviews.