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HUGH LAURIE TO DIRECT EPISODE OF "HOUSE"

Hugh Laurie, star and executive producer of HOUSE, will direct an upcoming episode of the hit FOX series scheduled to air this spring. This marks the first time Laurie has directed an episode of HOUSE in the more than 100 episodes produced to date.

"I am thrilled, daunted and honoured - with a 'u' - by this new responsibility," said Laurie. "HOUSE scripts are Faberge eggs, and I will try my very hardest not to drop this one on a stone floor."

"I've wanted him to direct since Season One. In fact, I can't believe he's actually doing it," said HOUSE executive producer Katie Jacobs. "There is no one more qualified to direct the show than Hugh Laurie. I'm sure this is evident to anyone who's seen the show, but he is simply the most versatile, talented, funny actor on TV today. Add to that an impeccable feeling for the visual storytelling, and you have the makings of a great director. I don't know how he's going to be in two places at once, but that part we'll just have to figure out."

According to Jacobs, the episode Laurie is directing is "very intense and truly a director's piece."

In addition to his many film and television acting credits, the multi-talented, Emmy-nominated Laurie has directed television programs and commercials, composed and recorded numerous original songs and written articles for London's The Daily Telegraph newspaper. His writing credits include the groundbreaking U.K. series he starred in with Stephen Fry, "A Bit of Fry and Laurie." His first novel, "The Gun Seller," was published in both the U.K. and the U.S. to critical acclaim and has been adapted into a screenplay.

Laurie's performance as "Dr. Gregory House" has garnered him two Golden Globe Awards for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series. He has twice been honored by the Television Critics Association with TCA Awards for Individual Achievement in Drama.

HOUSE is an innovative take on the medical drama in which the villain is a medical malady and the hero is an irreverent, controversial doctor who trusts no one, least of all his patients. The series also stars Lisa Edelstein, Robert Sean Leonard, Omar Epps, Jennifer Morrison, Jesse Spencer, Olivia Wilde and Peter Jacobson.

HOUSE is from Heel and Toe Films, Shore Z Productions and Bad Hat Harry Productions in association with Universal Media Studios. Katie Jacobs, David Shore, Paul Attanasio, Bryan Singer, Russel Friend, Garrett Lerner, Thomas L. Moran and Hugh Laurie are executive producers.