House star Hugh Laurie has been left "unnerved" after his Los Angeles home was ransacked by thieves.

The British actor had his laptop and a number of other personal items taken in the raid on his new $4 million Hollywood Hills mansion earlier this month. Laurie, who relocated to the U.S. in 2004 after landing the role of Dr. Gregory House in the hit medical drama, and his wife Jo were asleep when his house was targeted. No one was harmed in the break-in.

Laurie, 49, revealed the news of the burglary after arriving late for a TV interview to promote the forthcoming series of House. After apologizing to the TV crew, he said, "We were in bed when it (the burglary) happened. I came down this morning and said, 'Where's the laptop?' Then we realized."

The star is the latest celebrity in the area to fall victim to burglars - it is believed the same group of thieves are responsible for raids at the homes of singer Faith Hill and her husband Tim McGraw, and movie studio boss Sherry Lansing, who all live nearby. A police source says, "The raid on Hugh Laurie was very similar to ones we have been investigating in that area. It is lucky that he did not disturb the burglars or we could have been looking at something much more serious."

A spokesman for Laurie has confirmed the incident, saying: "Hugh was the victim of a burglary at his home. The matter is under investigation by police and I cannot say any more."

However, according to a close pal of the actor, the incident has shaken Laurie, who has famously struggled with depression. The friend explains, "Hugh keeps thinking about what would have happened if he had woken up to confront the burglars. There are some crazy people in Los Angeles who don't think twice about using violence. He was very lucky that he slept through it all."

The news comes just two weeks after the star took a $400,000-per-episode pay rise - making him one of the highest paid actors on the small screen.

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(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)