English actor and comedian Hugh Laurie has shared his opinion about whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in women’s sports, and it’s one that some in Hollywood won’t take kindly to.
Laurie, best known for his star role in the drama series “House,” made it abundantly clear in a social media post this week that he does not believe that men should be allowed to compete against women.
“Firstly, f— off; secondly no, I don’t believe men should compete against women. I thought I’d made that pretty clear,” the three-time Golden Globe winner wrote in reply to a since-deleted post on X by writer and trans activist Graham Linehan.
Laurie, best known for his star role in the drama series “House,” made it abundantly clear in a social media post this week that he does not believe that men should be allowed to compete against women. (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
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Linehan then took Laurie’s post, quoted it on the social media app, and essentially dared Laurie to voice his support for WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, who recently explained that she, too, does not believe men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports.
Laurie didn’t hesitate to promote Cunningham.
“You started it,” Laurie replied. “‘Cowardly’ to ‘f— off’ is the going rate of exchange around here. And yes, I support Sophie Cunningham. And you, some of the time.”
Hugh Laurie in the royal box on day twelve of the 2026 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London. (Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images)
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Cunningham has received intense pushback after stating in an ESPN story published on July 21 that she does not believe women should have to compete against biological men.
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,'” Cunningham told the outlet. “I think that I am here to extend love. But I also think with that love is truth, being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) reacts during a game against the New York Liberty on August 11, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I’m very much in the middle. I agree with things on both sides, disagree with things on both sides,” Cunningham continued. “And that’s all I’ve ever said about my political beliefs. But people love to assume.”
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The opinion of Cunningham and Laurie on the topic is one that the majority of Americans share, according to a New York Times poll conducted in March 2025, which found that 79% of Americans believe that men should be barred from competing in women’s sports.
