Plays the husband opposite Imelda Staunton's characters in two films: Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Peter's Friends (1992).

Is the uncle of actress Rachel Hurd-Wood.

He plays keyboard in the band "Banned from TV.".

In the 1980s he shared a house in London with Stephen Fry. They needed some plastering doing. The plasterers turned out to be Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson, who were inspired by Fry and Laurie to have a go at comedy.

When Bryan Singer cast Laurie as Gregory House on "House M.D." (2004), he was unaware that Laurie is British.

Great-great-nephew of George Alexander.

Is very good friends with "House M.D." (2004) co-star Robert Sean Leonard.

He was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2007 Queen`s New Years Honours List for his services to drama.

Is a published author (The Gun Seller - 1997). He has another book due in 2007.

Stephen Fry is godfather of his three children.

He was a member of the Cambridge Footlights and in 1981, along with Stephen Fry, Tony Slattery, Emma Thompson, Paul Dwyer and Paul Shearer, he became the winner of the first ever Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

He is a big fan of Steve McQueen.

Directed some scenes of his film Maybe Baby (2000) when Ben Elton had to go to hospital for the birth of his children.

He has three children: Charles Archibald Laurie (b. Nov 1988), William (Bill) Albert Laurie (b. Jan 1991), and Rebecca Laurie (Rebecca Augusta Laurie, b. Sep 1993).

Plays keyboard in the band Poor White Thrash with Lenny Henry, Shade Adejumo, Kate McKenzie, Sophie Elton (wife of Ben Elton), `Ken Bowley`, Andy Gangadeen, John Thirkell, and Phil Smith.

He is a member of the celebrity band 16:9 with Greg Grunberg of "Alias" (2001) and "Felicity" (1998), James Denton of "Desperate Housewives" (2004), Bob Guiney of "The Bachelor" (2002), and other special guests.

His daughter Rebecca Laurie starred in the film Wit (2001) (TV) as Emma Thompson`s character aged five.

His son Bill auditioned for a role in a Harry Potter film but was told he was too young.

He is a member of the Leander Club, one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. His father once served as the club`s president.

Was a member of Cambridge Footlights throughout his university years, serving as a writer and cast member for two years (1978-1980) and president during his last year (1980-1981). Emma Thompson was the vice president.

He`s a big fan of Clint Eastwood.

He took up diving a few years ago.

Although his first name is James, he has never been called that. His third name, Calum, is an old Scottish variant of the name Malcolm. His brother`s full name is Charles Alexander Lyon Mundell Laurie.

He received his first motorcycle when he was 16 as a present from his father. The same year he owned his first guitar, a Yamaha.

He was a house captain (senior prefect) in his last year at Eton College. He also played percussion for the school`s orchestra and was a "wet bob" - a member of Eton`s prestigious rowing team.

Auditioned for the part of Rimmer in "Red Dwarf" (1988). Others to audition for the part were Norman Lovett, Lee Cornes, Alfred Molina, Alan Rickman, and Craig Ferguson. The role went to Chris Barrie.

Was first cast in the role of Perry White in Superman Returns (2006). However, the popularity of his TV show "House M.D." (2004) caused schedule conflicts. Frank Langella was then cast.

Entered the 1980 Silver Goblets and Nicklass Cup with his Eton rowing partner J.S. Palmer at the Henley Royal Regatta, becoming the only British crew to reach the final that year. They finished in second place behind the favored American crew.

His father won an Olympic gold medal for coxless pairs in the 1948 Games in London. Hugh also had a promising career as an oarsman, but he was forced to give it up while at Cambridge when he contracted glandular fever (mononucleosis). His brother was also an oarsman.

Is the youngest of four children, by six years. He has a brother, Charles, who works as a lawyer/shepherd in Scotland, and two sisters.

His father, William George Ranald Mundell Laurie (known as Ran), and mother, Patricia, are both of Scottish descent.

Plays the husband opposite Imelda Staunton`s characters in two films: Sense and Sensibility (1995) and Peter`s Friends (1992)

He lives in a West Hollywood apartment rental while working on "House M.D." (2004), but flies home to London to be with his family whenever he has a break in filming. He has said that he will move his whole family to America to be with him if the second season looks to be equally successful as the first.

1977: Won the National Junior Championship for rowing (coxed pair). In the same year, he and his rowing partner represented England in the World Junior Championship for rowing where they finished fourth place.

Douglas Adams, author of The Hitchhiker`s Guide to the Galaxy (2005), originally wanted him to play Arthur Dent for the film adaptation. A deal was almost in place to have Hugh play Dent, along with Jim Carrey as Zaphod and Jay Roach directing, before Adams`s untimely death.

Attended the Dragon School, a renowned British "public" college preparatory school located in Oxford, England. Also attended by actress Emma Watson and tennis player Tim Henman.

Bought an all-black Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, a replica of the `60s British model, in Los Angeles, upon getting the role in "House M.D." (2004), but he was always an avid motorcyclist, even in England. He enjoys the anonymity the motorcycle helmet gives him.

Achieved a third-class degree in anthropology & archaeology at Selwyn College, Cambridge University.

He plays keyboard in the band "Band from TV".

Stephen Fry is godfather of his three children.

His daughter Rebecca Laurie starred in the film Wit (2001) (TV) as Emma Thompson`s character aged five.

His son Bill auditioned for a role in a Harry Potter film but was told he was too young.

He took up diving a few years ago.

He received his first motorcycle when he was 16 as a present from his father. The same year he owned his first guitar, a Yamaha.

Was first cast in the role of Perry White in Superman Returns (2006). However, the popularity of his TV show "House M.D." (2004) caused schedule conflicts. Frank Langella was then cast.

He is an accomplished piano player.

His father, William George Ranald Mundell Laurie (known as Ran), and mother, Patricia, are both of Scottish descent.

He lives in a West Hollywood apartment rental while working on "House M.D." (2004), but flies home to London to be with his family whenever he has a break in filming. He has said that he will move his whole family to America to be with him if the second season looks to be equally successful as the first.