Widely known as the titular protagonist of the medical drama House, Hugh Laurie is often considered one of the best TV actors of all time.
Though his portrayal of the smouldering and brooding medic often dominated headlines reports about Laurie’s thinning thatch had also begun to emerge during his time on the show.
The British legend has since embraced his balding pate, but was Hugh Laurie’s hair transplant ever a thing? Let’s find out.
Who Is Hugh Laurie?
A British comedian and actor, Hugh Laurie is best known for playing Dr. Gregory House in House M.D. However, the TV icon has also been a part of several other notable projects, including Blackadder, A Bit Of Fry & Laurie, The Night Manager, Veep and All the Light We Cannot See. Laurie has also been on the silver screen, having starred in Stuart Little, Sense and Sensibility and Mr Pip.
Besides acting, Laurie is also a talented blues musician and can play the piano and the guitar, among other instruments.
Did Hugh Laurie Have A Hair Transplant?
Laurie has never mentioned getting a hair transplant, and no indication can be found in his photos that he has had the procedure either.
As for his thinning hair not being visible in his on-screen presence, possible explanations include hair-building fibres, hair pieces, or even certain hairstyling tricks.
Wondering how Laurie had a “full head of hair” in his Sherlock-style hospital drama, only to have a clear bald patch at a movie premiere in 2011, the Daily Mail had the following to say:
“Maybe it was some trickery by his make-up artist on the show, with a little brushing forward here or some brushing forward there. One trick of the trade is to use Toppix Hair Building Fibres, which are made of the same organic Keratin protein as hair . . . Or the actor succumbed to the wonders of post-production in the editing suite and his hairline was given a tweaking.”
Despite his hair loss, Laurie has never tried to hide it — in fact, he once said:
“. . . the only thing sadder than a man with a bald spot is a man trying to hide a bald spot.”
Hugh Laurie’s Hair Loss Over The Years
Let’s take a closer look at how Hugh Laurie’s hair has evolved with time:
Year 1999
About 40 years old and starring in his first Stuart Little movie, Hugh had full hair with no signs of thinning or recession.
Year 2004
Then 45 and having landed the role of Gregory House, Hugh’s hair had started to look a bit thin at the top. However, he still wasn’t noticeably bald.
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Year 2006
The year the British star won his first Golden Globes was also when his hair loss had started to become more noticeable.
Though his hairline looked slightly receded at the corner, the front of his scalp still looked full. More evident, however, was the bald spot that was forming in his crown area.
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Year 2008
With House attracting more and more eyeballs, the media had caught the attention of Laurie’s dwindling barnet. The Daily Mail reported the following back in 2008:
“The House star appears on the popular US series with impressive thick tresses, but when he was spotted leaving a studio in London yesterday, he revealed what looked to be an expanding bald patch.”
Jean_Nelson/Depositphotos.com
Year 2011
At the age of 52, Laurie maintained his frontal fringe, but the bald spot in his crown had become even more visible.
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Year 2016
The year the actor turned 57 and received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, he sported an extensive bald patch at the front and crown of his scalp, though he still had some miniaturised hair in the area.
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Hugh Laurie’s Hair Before And After
Here’s how Hugh Laurie’s hair has changed with time:
s_bukley (left) and Featureflash (right)/Depositphotos.com
Experiencing Hair Loss?
Longevita is a UK-registered facilitator of both surgical and non-surgical treatments for hair loss. If you’re interested in learning more about the treatments we arrange, feel free to get in touch!
Dr Hassan
Based in London, Dr Hassan is a highly qualified plastic surgeon with over decades of experience. He is well-accomplished and experienced in the art of hair transplantation surgery, and his specialities include non-surgical treatments, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for the scalp. Dr Hassan can always be counted on to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients.
Dr Hassan is an independent, GMC-registered plastic surgeon (GMC: 6107783) with over 20 years of experience in hair restoration and cosmetic surgery. He performs his hair transplant procedures at Kensington Cosmetic Clinic, a CQC-registered (1-14206333213) independent hospital in London.
