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!
Boiling Eggshells: Save Money and Help the Environment
Ever wonder how many eggshells people throw away in the trash? It really is a lot! However, did you realize that boiling these inconsequential-looking shells can really result in financial savings? It’s also a fantastic technique to lessen trash and contribute to environmental preservation. Now let’s explore the several advantages of reusing eggshells!
Eggs: A Powerhouse of Nutrition
In addition to being tasty and adaptable, eggs are also a great source of important nutrients. They include excellent sources of lipids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals, making them a full meal. About 6 grams of protein may be found in one egg, which is an essential component for sustaining muscle mass and meeting your daily dietary requirements. Protein is essential for maintaining a healthy immune system in addition to being necessary for muscles.
Cracking the Secret Code of Eggshells
Let’s now discuss eggshells. Though many of us just toss them out without giving them any thought, these “throwaways” actually have a lot to give. The main component of eggshells is calcium carbonate, which is also a component of antacid drugs. This implies that they may be a fantastic supply of calcium, a mineral that is necessary for healthy bones.
Eggshells may readily have the calcium extracted from them by boiling them, which makes for an inexpensive, natural, and DIY calcium supplement. Because strong bones become ever more dependent on calcium as we age, this is especially advantageous for elderly folks.
Easy Steps for Recycling Eggshells
Are you prepared to start maximizing your eggshells and cutting costs? Here’s a short, detailed how-to:
Gather and tidy: After giving empty eggshells a thorough rinse, let them air dry.
Crush the shells: Using a food processor or mortar and pestle, break the shells into little pieces once they have dried.
Bring the crushed shells to a boil by putting them in a pot with water and covering them. Simmer it for ten to fifteen minutes.
Strain and cool: To get rid of any shell bits, strain the liquid after it has simmered. Let cool completely before putting it in a fresh bottle or jar.
Utilize and delight in: You can now utilize your own calcium supplement. Take one tablespoon of the liquid every day, stir it into your preferred drink, or incorporate it into your meals.
Reduce Spending, Protect the Environment, and Boost Your Health
Not only is boiling eggshells a cost-effective decision, but it’s also an environmentally beneficial one. You can obtain a natural calcium supply that promotes bone health and general wellbeing by recycling these shells. Thus, keep in mind to save and repurpose the eggshells the next time you crack open an egg!
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