Hugh Laurie transforms into Major de Coverley as he shoots fast-paced scenes in army vehicle for Catch 22 starring George Clooney

He is best known for playing head doctor in long-running US medical drama House which aired from 2004 until 2012.

And Hugh Laurie, 59, showed he could turn his hand at any part as he suited and booted to shoot scenes for upcoming movie Catch 22 in Viterbo, Italy on Thursday.

The actor was every inch the war veteran when he slipped into the shoes of his character Major de Coverley for the flick.

Dramatic difference: Hugh Laurie transformed in Major uniform as he shot fast-paced scenes in army vehicle for Catch 22 starring George Clooney in Italy on Thursday

Dramatic difference: Hugh Laurie transformed in Major uniform as he shot fast-paced scenes in army vehicle for Catch 22 starring George Clooney in Italy on Thursday

Exhilarating scenes shot in Italy show Hugh getting behind the wheels of an army vehicle in the shoes of his Major character. 

The House star made a convincing transformation into his character as he donned the specialised beige uniform, hat and smart brown brogues.

Clearly having a great time on set, Hugh praised all of his fellow co-stars for their hard work on social media after filming. He wrote: 'Well done everybody.'

Life in the fast lane: Exhilarating scenes shot in Italy show Hugh getting behind the wheels of an army vehicle in the shoes of his Major character

Life in the fast lane: Exhilarating scenes shot in Italy show Hugh getting behind the wheels of an army vehicle in the shoes of his Major character

Check him out: The House star made a convincing transformation into his character
Wow: He donned the specialised beige uniform, hat and smart brown brogues

Check him out: The House star made a convincing transformation into his character as he donned the specialised beige uniform, hat and smart brown brogues

Impressive: Hugh looked convincing as his character when he wore his Major uniform in the front seat of the army car

Impressive: Hugh looked convincing as his character when he wore his Major uniform in the front seat of the army car

Roaming the streets! Filming took place across two locations, the Piazza San Lorenzo and Pizza del Plebiscito, on Thursday

Roaming the streets! Filming took place across two locations, the Piazza San Lorenzo and Pizza del Plebiscito, on Thursday

Taking a moment to himself between shooting scenes, the actor took off his Major's hat while he walked around the Italian city.

The Night Manager star was seen toting a water bottle as he kept hydrated in the sweltering heat and a book. 

Catch 22 takes viewers back to Italy during the landscape of World War 2. 

Setting the scene: Catch 22 takes viewers back to Italy during the landscape of World War 2

Setting the scene: Catch 22 takes viewers back to Italy during the landscape of World War 2

Good plot: The movie tells the story of Christopher Abbott's character of Yossarian, a US Air Force bombardier, who is furious because the bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22

Good plot: The movie tells the story of Christopher Abbott's character of Yossarian, a US Air Force bombardier, who is furious because the bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22

Story telling: The rule specifies that a concern for one¿s own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind

Story telling: The rule specifies that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind

The movie tells the story of Christopher Abbott's character of Yossarian, a US Air Force bombardier, who is furious because the bureaucratic rule known as Catch-22.

The rule specifies that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers which are real and immediate is the process of a rational mind.

In the plot, a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty.

Elaborated: In the plot, a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty

Elaborated: In the plot, a man is considered insane if he willingly continues to fly dangerous combat missions but a request to be removed from duty is evidence of sanity and therefore makes him ineligible to be relieved from duty

Tough! Clearly having a great time on set, Hugh praised all of his fellow co-stars for their hard work on social media after filming

Tough! Clearly having a great time on set, Hugh praised all of his fellow co-stars for their hard work on social media after filming

Achievement: Clooney is directing, producing and starring in the six episode miniseries based on the seminal novel by Joseph Heller, set to be released in 2019

Achievement: Clooney is directing, producing and starring in the six episode miniseries based on the seminal novel by Joseph Heller, set to be released in 2019

Clooney is directing, producing and starring in the six episode miniseries based on the seminal novel by Joseph Heller, set to be released in 2019.

It was announced in April the dashing actor would be reducing his role in the Hulu production so he could focus on his directing and producing credits. 

The two-time Oscar winner has hired Kyle Chandler of Friday Night Lights fame to take over the part of Col. Cathcart (played by Martin Balsam in the 1970 adaptation).

Prepared: Taking a moment to himself between shooting scenes, the actor took off his Major's hat while he walked around the Italian city

Prepared: Taking a moment to himself between shooting scenes, the actor took off his Major's hat while he walked around the Italian city

Spotted: The Night Manager star was seen toting a water bottle as he kept hydrated in the sweltering heat and a book

Spotted: The Night Manager star was seen toting a water bottle as he kept hydrated in the sweltering heat and a book

Passing it on:  It was announced in April Clooney would be reducing his role in the Hulu production so he could focus on his directing and producing credits

Passing it on:  It was announced in April Clooney would be reducing his role in the Hulu production so he could focus on his directing and producing credits

Clooney had originally eyed up Col. Cathcart's part for himself but he has now settled with the less demanding role of Scheisskopf.

Meanwhile, Hugh has taken on the role of Major de Coverley who becomes a person of interest to intelligence agencies when he appears at the fall of major cities. 

Filming took place across two locations, the Piazza San Lorenzo and Pizza del Plebiscito, on Thursday. 

Top position! Hugh has taken on the role of Major de Coverley

Top position! Hugh has taken on the role of Major de Coverley

Back story: His character becomes a person of interest to intelligence agencies when he appears at the fall of major cities

Back story: His character becomes a person of interest to intelligence agencies when he appears at the fall of major cities

Transformation: The walls were plastered with posters as the actors descended on the Italian landscape to film

Transformation: The walls were plastered with posters as the actors descended on the Italian landscape to film

Stern: Hugh was every inch his Major character as he commanded attention from the front seat of the army vehicle

Stern: Hugh was every inch his Major character as he commanded attention from the front seat of the army vehicle

Worlds away: He is best known for playing head doctor in long-running US medical drama House which aired from 2004 until 2012

Worlds away: He is best known for playing head doctor in long-running US medical drama House which aired from 2004 until 2012