The actor Hugh Laurie spends ten months of the year living in California, where he plays the caustic physician Gregory House in the successful TV medical drama series House. The show has been running for five years and has gathered many awards. He commutes to London to see his wife and three children, and if the show continues its rating success he has signed up for a further two years. Hugh Laurie is 50 today. RGT
Birthdays today
Jean Alesi, racing driver, 45; Diana Armfield, painter, 89; Michael Cacoyannis, film director, 87; Cynthia Cooke, Matron-in-Chief, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, 1973-76, 90; Athol Fugard, dramatist, 77; Dame Beryl Grey, ballerina, 82; Rachael Heyhoe Flint, cricketer, 70; Jennifer Pitman, racehorse trainer, 63; David Quilter, actor, 67; Sir Jackie Stewart, racing driver, 70; Richard Todd, actor, 90; Gene Wilder, actor, 74.