Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
When Fox released Hugh Laurie’s eight-season medical dramaHouse, it became one of the most popular TV shows of the 2000s—nothing too impressive, right? It’s not like the show was actually on top of the list, with millions of people watching a sarcastic genius diagnose rare diseases with the emotional range of a pebble.
But sure, Hugh Laurie’s portrayal of Dr. Gregory House, just so happened to be the reasonHousewasn’t canceled after a season. And since Laurie’s portrayal was so essential and so critically beloved, it earned him a paycheck large enough to make any average person question the life decisions they’ve ever made. Can you guess how much the man was paid for his Golden Globe-winning show?
Hugh Laurie’s Jaw-Dropping Paycheck for Being a Complete Jerk
Considering how Hugh Laurie has single-handedly propelled themedical dramaHouse, to unprecedented heightswith his masterful performance as the sociopathic Dr. Gregory House, it’s important to talk about his compensation for that role. Believe it or not, the astronomical paychecks that he raked in from the show would make you think the man was performing actual brain surgeries every time he strolled onto the set.
“See, this is what I want: an American guy”: British Star Hugh Laurie Allegedly Duped an Entire TV Network to Bag ‘House’
But no, Laurie was just pretending to diagnose rare diseases as Dr. House, who essentially treated everyone around him like mere punching bags. The result? A paycheck that will surely make you question your career choices. According toCelebrity Net Worth, the 65-year-old star’s salary forHousewasn’t just good—it was beyond comprehension for a man who made a living by being a total jerk.
As per the outlet, Laurie earned $300,000 per episode for several of the mid-series seasons ofHouse. By 2010, his salary had soared to a staggering $400,000 per episode. Later on, with the success of the show and the popularity of his character, the actor worked out to around $7M per season. Can you believe that the actor behind Dr. House, who literally says, “everybody lies”, made so much money for each hour-long episode of a show?
But that’s not all, for Laurie made $700,000 per episode at his peak, which later worked out to $16M per season. And according to the outlet, the actor had apparently earned the eye-watering sum of $16M for at least three seasons. It seems as if the more you hate your coworkers, the more money you make.
Hugh Laurie’sHouseSalary that Landed Him on Guinness Book of World Records
Following Hugh Laurie’s staggering salary forHouse, what became an even more jaw-dropping part of this story is how his enormous paycheck became a Guinness Book-worthy record. According toThe Guardian, while the actor was awarded two Golden Globes and an Emmy nod for playing the grumpy and arrogant Vicodin-addicted Dr. Gregory House, the Guinness Book of World Records had recognized his salary and success on the show.
“House” Season 9: Even Hugh Lorie Couldn’t Save the Show from Getting Canceled
According to their officialwebsite,Housemanaged to secure three Guinness World Records. Beginning with the show’s record-breaking review score that made it the most popular TV show as of February 2008, followed by Laurie becoming TV’s most-watched leading man, and lastly, the actor’s $700,000 paycheck per episode, making him the highest-paid TV actor in a drama series.
Let that sink in. Because Hugh Laurie made an eye-watering sum while donning a white coat and pretending to be a diagnostician in a New Jersey hospital—compared to average doctors, someone who actually saves lives. So after 8 years of delivering a perfect blend of arrogance, wit, and sociopathic tendencies, Laurie not only became the highest-paid actor in a TV drama series but also earned fair compensation and recognition for playing a world-class jerk.
Hugh Laurie’s Impeccable Performance as a Cranky Doctor With a Cane
Meanwhile, althoughHugh Laurie’s appearance as Dr. Gregory House, in Fox’s medical dramaHousechanged the landscape of television shows, back in the early 2000, no one would’ve imagined that people would appreciate a character like him. But Laurie changed that perspective and made the world fall in love with a misanthropic, pill-popping, cane-wielding doctor who hated humanity more than a surgeon hates malpractice lawsuits.
Hugh Laurie Lost Major DC Role in $391M Movie That Nearly Cast Henry Cavill Due to ‘House’
Portraying an emotionally distant and charmingly abrasive genius diagnostician for eight glorious seasons, the actor captivated viewers with his unhealthy dose of sarcasm and a tendency to belittle his colleagues like a high school bully. But despite the complex medical cases and Dr. House’s “magical thinking”, it wasn’t what retained audiences for multiple seasons.
To be honest, while fans were undoubtedly stunned by Dr. House’s diagnostic skills, it was actually his clever wordplay and quick wit that hooked fans to the screen, season after season. It was the fact that every time Laurie’s character opened his mouth, people were left laughing, cringing, or wondering about a clever comeback, that left fans wanting more.
Although people wouldn’t want someone like Dr. House in reality, lacking bedside manner, and offering snarky remarks, somehow, he became a heroic figure in his own right. And that’s what drew the attention of a vast demographic of people across the globe, who couldn’t resist diving back into Dr House’s world, filled with misery, sarcasm, and entitlement.
Therefore, with a successful 8-season run, where Dr. House didn’t let minor details like ethics get in the way of his diagnosis, and made sure to obliterate any lingering hope for his patients’ well-being, Hugh Laurie’s impeccable performance catapulted the show to great heights. And not to mention, it acquired the top position on the list of best US TV dramas, through its second to fourth seasons.
In the end, Hugh Laurie’s run as Dr. Gregory House didn’t just become a display of acting talent, it became an exploration of how sarcasm and a bad attitude can turn into amulti-million-dollar career. Despite failing to form meaningful connections with colleagues and patients as Dr. House, Laurie managed to make a fair share of money by making people feel bad about themselves.
So, the next time you feel bad about your own career prospects and salary, maybe just try and be mean to your colleagues. Just kidding!
Houseis currently available to watch on Peacock.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
More from Krittika Mukherjee
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Michael C. Hall’s Breakout Came at Adam Scott’s Lowest Career Moment
The Map That Leads to You: Madelyn Cline Shares Controversial Dating Advice That’s Genius
Recommended
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Anya Taylor-Joy and Meryl Streep Circling Same Role In Cameron Crowe’s Next Big Bet: Reports
What Did Justin Baldoni Say to Isabela Ferrer? Alarming Revelation in Blake Lively’s Lawsuit
‘Gintama’ Creator Admits New Movie Is “A tool for dirty adults to make a quick buck”
houseHugh Laurie
