Laurie downplays sexy vote for 'House'

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- British actor Hugh Laurie says being voted the second sexiest TV doctor in history for his role on the U.S. TV series "House" is undeserved.

While the 49-year-old actor acknowledged the hostile character he plays on the popular FOX series has a certain appeal, he downplayed the charisma he brings to the role, The Daily Mail said Saturday.

"Oh, I can't think about things like that at all. I can agree that the character of House is sort of a sexy one, that there's even something of the Lord Byron about him, the wounded genius and all, yes, I can see that, but as for myself," he said of the recent honor.

The actor, who was born in the British city of Oxford, did acknowledge the complexity of the TV doctor he plays on the medical drama.

'I love the mixture of light and dark in him, the fact that, at times, he is an 8-year-old child and at others an avenging angel ready to slay the dragons," Laurie told the Mail.

The newspaper said the role has done wonders for Laurie, earning him numerous award nominations and nearly $200,000 per episode.