Why Hugh Laurie Is the Coolest Man On Earth

So about this time every year, I help put together a number of special issues of The Hollywood Reporter in advance of nominations for the Primetime Emmy Awards. We here at the trades call it Emmy Season (not to be confused with our four regular seasons in Southern California: Fire, Flood, Earthquake and Pilot). As such, I have an opportunity annually to talk shop with all sorts of TV series and made-for-TV movie producers and stars discussing the merits of their projects/of themselves for Emmy consideration.

The process can be a little bit awkward -- I mean, you know, asking people to essentially tell you, "Yeah, I deserve an award from my peers." Those who coat their answers in wit, irony and self-deprecation tend to come across best. It's why I so adore Hugh Laurie, who won a Golden Globe this year for his protrayal of Dr. Gregory House on the hit Fox medical drama "House." He's British, though you wouldn't know it from his impeccable American accent on the show. Better still, while the man is a brilliant performer, he never takes himself at all seriously, as I've found on the three occasions when we've spoken.

I was disappointed that Laurie hadn't the time to talk on the phone in advance of Emmy season this time but jumped at the chance to conduct an interview via e-mail. I sent questions through his publicist. The answers arrived a scant two hours later. I offer the exchange here in its entirety, eloquently demonstrating why Laurie is my favorite actor on this or any other planet.

1. "I'm a bit confused. How does "House" get an Emmy nomination for drama series...while you personally do not? You ARE House. To my mind, it was a bit like honoring the meal while ignoring the chef who cooked it. Did you feel this way, or did you not have the time and energy to become properly incensed?"

Hugh Laurie: "I'm greatly flattered by your analogy, but I'm not sure it's quite right.  (Executive producer) David Shore is really the chef, (executive producer) Katie Jacobs is the Maitre D', and I am merely the waiter.  15% is considered normal."

2. "Did receiving an Emmy nomination for series notably energize the "House" staff? Is there now a swagger in everyone's stride?"

Laurie: "Swaggering is actually forbidden on the set.  Something to do with insurance.  But I think everyone was pleased and proud to be nominated.  I hope so anyway.  A lot of people work incredibly hard on the show and it's nice to be recognized for it."

3. "Where do you keep your Golden Globe trophy? Does it make an effective bookend? (And congratulations, by the way.)"

Laurie: "Forgive me for being pedantic here, but I actually now have two - so your bookend idea works even better.  Particularly since they weigh more than any earthly substance could in that volume. Friends who try and pick them up assume that I've welded them to the shelf. They are now installed in my son's bedroom, which I have converted into a Hall of Fame.  He sleeps in the garden."

4. "Has your work schedule lessened at all or is it as unfathomably insane as ever? How much longer can you conceivably keep up this exhaustive pace?"

Laurie: "It's as unfathomably insane as ever, made more so by the fatigue. I have seen camera operators fall asleep against the viewfinder during a take. If we were pilots, we wouldn't be allowed to fly.  But we're not, so there's no sense getting all hyperbolic about it. I do worry about how long we can go on like this. I worry that tiredness will make us worse and people will lose interest.  Or that someone will fall over, or crash their car driving home. That would be horrible."

5. "Will Dr. Gregory House ever be happy?"

Laurie: "I think it's unlikely.  Perhaps that will be the last scene we ever do.  House on the doorstep of a rose-covered cottage, his arm around Donna Reed, two moppets scampering at his feet, maybe a Labrador.  The camera will pull back and back, a helicopter shot, House and Donna waving, getting smaller and smaller.  Then House will pull out a shoulder launched missile....  there'll be a flash of light, getting bigger and bigger, filling the frame, then BLACKNESS.

"That's my pitch."

Comments

[BOffle]

Thanks for that! And yes, Hugh Laurie is absolutely the coolest guy on earth.

Here's hoping his Hall of Fame grows ever more crowded: a few Emmys would make a tasteful addition, perhaps with their own garlanded alcove.

[Boudleaux]

I've read many interviews with the talented Mr. Laurie and this one is among my favorites. He's so eloquent even when not taking himself seriously.

Thank you.

[June]

Thank you so much for sharing this interview, however brief, with an intelligent, witty, and modest actor. Such class and integrity is in short supply these days..

[Susan]

Hugh Laurie is one of the most intelligent, talented, and classiest actors of our time.He deserves to get that emmy this year and so does the excellent cast.Thanks for printing this great interview.

[Terri Stevens]

LOL, oh he is the best! Anyone with a sense of humor like that not to mention the talent to boot will always be a winner in my book.

Hugh Laurie is one of the best actors I've ever seen. I love him to the nth degree and this interview is one of the best I've ever read; one of the funniest as well.

[Julia]

Thank you so, so much for sharing this!
I agree with you and with all the comments above... He's fantastic, and one of the things that make him so great is his capacity of laughing about himself.

[karen Shepherd]

I just love Hugh Laurie! He's awesome and extremely talented! He deserves an Emmy for outstanding performance! The cast is awesome too! I'm so glad the show's doing so well! Great job "David Shore and Katie Jocobs!" Keep up the great work!

Karen Shepherd.

[corine k walker]

Whenever I speak the name Hugh Laurie the words`wonderful and gentle~always follow! What a lovely person and a terrific talent and so deserving of any and all awards! This is one man whom I would truly love to sit and have coffee with...I could listen to him forever.Please feel free to pass on my email address to him! LOL Thank you for a wonderful article!
Corine Walker

[silva]

Wow! Hugh Laurie is not just the coolest man on earth, he is the most talented and hottest actor on earth! Ha Ha~ I totally agree that "He deserves an Emmy for outstanding performance!" this year. The show is extremely awesome and I like it very much!!

[Mo]

Hugh Laurie is absolutely amazing.He deserves the best.He has really worked hard for him to be where he is curretly.
He is a man with extraordinary talent.

Way to Hugh,..........You deserve nothing but the best.

[nivar]

well thanx for this one
funny as ever
and as usual a little too funny too
seems no-one ever will really get a true answer from this great and deeply unterrated actor
with a wink he seems bound to "lie" a little in public interviews

this House-character I will miss once it will be disappeard.
But I hope there will be more than one chance for Hugh Laurie to show the world his extraordinary talent

[Kerrie Gatton]

The House cast and crew has all stepped it up this year - what a great season and a well deserved Emmy nod. Great interview with Hugh - he is the coolest (and sexiest!)

[Sylvie]

Great interview - thanks!

Hugh Laurie's brilliance could make the Aurora Borealis reconsider its next appearance. He's been overlooked the last two years for the Emmy - if he doesn't win it this year - nothing again will ever make sense. Period.

[Aeritrish]

Thank you so much for sharing this interview. If anyone were to list down the reasons why Hugh Laurie is the coolest man on earth, that list would never end. This talented actor just surprises us with every interview using his wit and eloquence. Not to mention that on screen, he can pull off almost any scene and bring a smile to many faces worldwide.

[Krystine]

Hugh Laurie is the epitome of class and style, not to mention a brilliant actor. Even with all those marvelment characteristics, he's able to maintain his integrity, modisty and priceless sense of humor! I can't think of anyone who is deserving of an Emmy more than he!

[Jo-Hugh]

He's soooooo the coolest guy on earth!!!!
He's more than perfect and that's why I love him!!!!!
Hugh RULZ!
P.D->His boy sleeps in the garden!!Almost die with that!!!!!hahahaha!!!

[Mnq]

Hugh is absolutely fabolous.He has really shown us what he is made of.He is a man in his own league.
He is a man with talent& may he continue entertaining the crowd.

We love you Hugh.......Keep it Up.
You are the best.

[jamie!]

I absoloutly love Hugh Laurie

I love every interview he does, hes so down to earth and witty. I just love how he doesnt take him self too seriously and always knows how to make humor out of an interview question. I really hope he and his great cast get the emmy. We're all rooting for you Hugh and the cast of House.

"They are now installed in my son's bedroom, which I have converted into a Hall of Fame. He sleeps in the garden."

Wonderfull, just wonderfull the mans so clever and witty. I just love him, He is definitly one of the most talented actors in the world.

Love Jamie

[Kate]

I love Hugh Laurie, he is sooo funny and modest and perfect. Any other big fans might want to check out this awesome site: www.hughlaurie.co.uk

[Brigitte]

Hugh is definitively the best actor and the most handsome man I have ever seen.
If I could meet him one day it would be the best day of my life. I hope one day...
Thanks Hugh !

[Sir Samuel]

After reading this interview, and last week watching the end of The Soprano's I wonder if the creators of the Soprano's were at all influenced by Hugh's idea for an ending for House.

[Kay]

While I am in agreement with those who are attracted to Mr. Laurie, I cannot help but think he must tire of constant accolades about his physical appearance and must find much more personal satisfaction in those who comment on his many formidable talents and deeply-felt, multi-layered performances.

House MD is but one aspect of his abilities and I truly hope the public will be given the chance to see him even further expand his powerful acting, directing, writing and musical talents.

[WhiteRabbit]

Thanks for the good news!!!!!!!!!!

[doha]

i adore hugh laurie , wish that u can help me find his email address so i can contact him plz i beg u thanks a lot...

[Grant McNally]

In the UK we have known Hugh for a good many years as one of the of the funniest (and most intelligent!) comedians of his generation. So his witty and ascorbic side is no surprise to us, and it`s my guess that Hugh will find the "coolest man" epitaph extremely amusing! I hope those in the US who have only discovered him as House, get the opportunity to check his past bank of work in the comic field,in particular his role as Bertie Wooster in the TV adaption of PG Woodehouse`s "Jeeves" (and receive further delight in discovering his former erstwhile comedy partner and former University chum Stephen Fry in the role of Jeeves). Or better still his roles in the classic UK cult comedy series "the Comic Strip". Then you can acknowledge how great he is as an actor, moving seemlessly from playing a 1920`s aristocratic uber bufoon to his current role as a genuis medic, shows much more depth of talent than any current hollywood star, so it should not be too long I hope before we see him transfer to a serious role in Cinema and an Oscar come his way too -how cool would that be?

Grant (another Brit abroad)

[Jeb Archer]

What people dont realise is that green homes and buildings are not only worth more (resale value) but are creating more reveneu as well. Higher occupancy rates paired with higher rental premiums equals more money in VC's pockets.
www.initred.com