House is back on the small screen — and this time, he’s ditching the MD for the potential title of VP.
British actor Hugh Laurie became a household name in the US during the ’00s thanks to his titular role in the Fox series “House.” The show ended in 2012, but last Sunday, he resurrected his American accent and was introduced into Season 4 of HBO’s “Veep” as a running mate for President Selina Meyer (Julia Louis-Dreyfus).
For those familiar with his turn as the surly Dr. Gregory House, it might seem odd to see the 55-year-old Laurie doing comedy — but, in fact, it’s where he earned his chops. For decades before “House” became a hit, his comic roles in the UK were numerous and hugely successful. Ahead of the next installment of “Veep” on Sunday, here’s a rundown of some of Laurie’s funniest previous roles.
‘The Young Ones’ (1984)
This anarchic and surreal early-’80s sitcom centered around four college students living in squalor. In the most famous episode, they enter “University Challenge” (a famous British TV quiz show) and come up against Laurie (playing Lord Monty) and his other dimwitted posh friends, Stephen Fry, Ben Elton and a very young Emma Thompson.
‘Blackadder the Third’ (1987)
The historical comedy series “Blackadder” is still widely regarded by fans and critics alike as one of the best shows ever produced by the BBC. It ran for four series, and in the third (set in the late 1700s and early 1800s), Laurie plays the dimwitted Prince Regent George IV. In this episode, he devises a boorish plan to woo the daughter of a rich industrialist, aided by his ever-scheming butler, Blackadder (played by Rowan Atkinson, who later found worldwide fame as “Mr. Bean”).
‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ (1989)
In the fourth series, Laurie plays a wealthy yet dimwitted soldier (can you see a pattern forming here?) holed up in the trenches during World War I. In this hilarious episode, he attempts to defend Blackadder (Atkinson) during court-martial proceedings — despite having no grasp of military law whatsoever.
‘Jeeves and Wooster’ (1990-93)
As you might have already guessed, Laurie played the dimwitted rich playboy Bertie Wooster in the TV adaptation of P.G. Wodehouse’s short stories. Luckily, the suave Jeeves (played by Stephen Fry) was always on hand to save him from various scrapes and awkward situations.
‘A Bit of Fry & Laurie’ (1989-1995)
Laurie again teamed up with Stephen Fry for this long-running cult sketch show — and, for once, the dimwitted posh characters were kept to a minimum. Instead, Laurie’s musical talent was given more of a platform, especially during this famous sketch in which he used just three words to brutally (and brilliantly) skewer Bruce Springsteen.