I guess the new craze in Hollywood isn’t Scientology or a vegan diet anymore. It’s quitting early. First, acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic) says he intends to retire in the next few years to focus on painting full-time. That’s, right painting. Then, our beloved Brad Pitt (Fight Club, Inglourious Basterds) said he hopes to quit acting in the next three years to do more behind-the-camera work. Gasp! But all bad news comes in threes. Though not as dramatic, Hugh Laurie of House said he will hang up his 30-year television career when the series comes to a close. Laurie said he thinks he’s “rather spoiled here” and he can’t imagine there will be another series like this one for him.
The more I reflect on it though, the more I realize it’s probably for the best. Hugh Laurie is one of the greatest talents from across the pond, and it’s a little bit of a shame that he’s been typecast as that guy from House. While the show has enjoyed an incredible run, Laurie is a highly versatile actor that should be getting more substantial roles on the big screen. Most recently, he’s only appeared in supporting roles in Street Kings or done voice acting for Arthur Christmas and Monsters vs. Aliens. So here’s to the future of Laurie’s career…as long as he doesn’t disappear entirely from the screen.
