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Brit, Aussie Actors Find US Success

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2008 5:23 PM CST

(Newser) – British and Australian actors are flocking to the US in search of work and finding great success in roles that challenge their mimicry skills, the Chicago Tribune reports. Whether it’s Hugh Laurie on House, Anna Friel on Pushing Daisies, or Simon Baker on The Mentalist, the thespians have found it pays to adopt a new accent.

Marc Hirschfeld, NBC’s executive VP of casting, cites the decline of the British film industry as one factor: "The fact that there isn't as much in the work in the UK as there has been in the past has opened things up for them." The American public loves discovering stars, and “this is a way for America to discover a new star who is not really on the radar for them," Hirschfeld says.

Actress Anna Friel of the new drama Pushing Daisies, listens during the ABC Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
Actress Anna Friel of the new drama "Pushing Daisies," listens during the ABC Summer Press Tour in Beverly Hills, Calif., Wednesday, July 25, 2007.   (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
This photo released by FOX shows actor Hugh Laurie in a scene from House.
This photo released by FOX shows actor Hugh Laurie in a scene from "House."   (AP Photo/FOX, Isabella Vosmikova)
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Hugh Laurie speaks on what initially drew him to the 'House' character.   (hulu.com)

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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Guest
Dec 29, 2008 5:32 AM CST
Wonder how the ratings for House have been since his creepy appearance on SNL... I used to be addicted to House, but now I'm creeped out by him! (Great American dialect, though.)

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