Why is Hugh Laurie worthy of being Man Candy? Because he’s been in a surprising number of period pieces, and because the man is totally and completely hilarious! I will admit to falling in love with his grumpy, put-upon tiny role of Mr. Palmer in Sense and Sensibility (1995) — “I wish you would stop” just kills me every time. Let’s take a wander through Laurie’s oeuvre, and hope that he makes his way back to period film sometime soon!
Blackadder II (1986)
I will admit to not having seen all of this series, so I don’t know much other than that he plays Prince Ludwig in one episode and Simon Partridge in another!
Blackadder the Third (1989)
We’ve raved about Laurie’s turn as Prinny (i.e. the Prince of Wales) many times before!
Blackadder Goes Forth (1989)
He was also in Blackadder: The Cavalier Years (1988) and Blackadder’s Christmas Carol (1988) but I can’t find pics.
Jeeves and Wooster (1990-1993)
Yet another hilarious role by Laurie, playing upper-class twit Bertie Wooster to Stephen Fry‘s valet Jeeves.
Photo by ITV / Rex USA ‘Jeeves & Wooster’ – 1990 Bertie Wooster [Hugh Laurie] ITV ARCHIVE
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
Wherein I fall in love with Laurie! He may be married to the most annoying woman in Britain, but he’s got to put up with it… and up with it he puts, silently rolling his eyes, until the one moment where he actually gets to show his good side.
Spice World (1997)
Not a period film, but Laurie plays a version of Belgian detective Poirot!
Cousin Bette (1998)
We recently discussed this film when talking about Paris. Laurie plays the title character’s relative, Baron Hulot.
The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
Okay, so he just has the minor role of “King’s Advisor,” but I’m nothing if not thorough.
Blackadder Back & Forth (1999)
Once more on the Blackadder train!
Life with Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows (2001)
Playing Vincent Minnelli, husband of famed singer Judy Garland.
The Young Visiters (2003)
You probably missed this one, but if you can track it down, DO. It’s a story that was written by a 9-year-old girl in 1890, and they are completely faithful in their adaptation (hence the misspelled title and completely random plot twists). Laurie is hilarious in this comic love triangle.
What’s your favorite Hugh Laurie role?
As always, your choice is awesome, (I’ve been a fan since Blackadder goes Forth, which is my fave of the Blackadders) Thank you x
Not period, but I’ve always had a thing for him as House. Also in Stuart LIttle and Flight of the Phoenix.
Mr Palmer in Sense & Sensibility. He actually draws the eye away from Col. Brandon. Very hard to do.
The tie with Mr Palmer, MP is Bertie Wooster.
Prinny is always good for a laugh, but I feel Laurie had better opportunities to show his range on Blackadder goes forth.
And Stephen Fry is wearing the aggressively gay version of a centurion uniform ( And had lots of fun doing it, if I recall one interview right).
Bertie Wooster is my very favorite upper-class twit evar! And I love that Hugh Laurie can go from playing that sort of dimwit to brilliantly snarky characters as in Sense & Sensibility or House. Such range!
OMG, I just finished bingeing on Jeeves and Wooster! What a classic pairing; and true to the tone of the stories. I only wish there were more.
Hugh Laurie is so fantastic there aren’t enough words to describe it. He’s intelligent, funny, and musical — all things that make my heart pitter-patter.
He’s a joy and a delight no matter what he’s in (even when he’s a baddie!).
Thanks for this. 💖
Sense and Sensibility is one of my Favs because he plays it true to the tone of the movie. And Blackadder Goes Forth for the high-comic win!
I do so love Bertie Wooster!
That’s tough — Mr. Palmer is just brilliant, but I adore Jeeves & Wooser. And WTF IS STEPHEN FRY WEARING? The look on his face in that Roman getup is priceless!
So glad you got both of his roles in Blackadder II.
Isn’t that the guy who plays House? The bad-tempered doctor who badly needs a shave? (I don’t watch the show myself. Looked terrible). He’s also done cartoon voice work (had no idea he was so articulate with his voice). Hugh did the voice of Dr. Cockroach on “Monsters vs. Aliens,” and a very early role I saw him in was, he played Jasper, one of the idiot dog-nappers from the live-action “101 Dalmatians” movie.
Prinny and Mr Palmer as the faves for me! Although, all of his Blackadder roles were fantastic! I’m heartily ashamed to admit that I haven’t seen a lot of Jeeves and Wooster – yet. I really do need to make that a priority!
Totally Bertie. My favourite moments are when he plays the piano and sings and draws Jeeves into the nonsense of it all.
The joke there with Stephen Fry’s tighty-whities is that the higher your rank in the roman army, the higher your hem. Really would recommend Blackadder Back and Forth, it’s a giggle a minute.
I adore Hugh Laurie, but my takeaway from this post is that the Sense and Sensibility GIFs have me noticing Alan Rickman’s expressions in that scene as I’ve never been able to do in the movie. I may be literally dying.
SO in love with him as Bertie Wooster. He and Fry defined them for me. I just love his piano playing moments!