Chris O’Dowd first came to U.S. audiences by way of his smitten cop character, Rhodes, in last year’s smash hit “Bridesmaids.” He stole the hearts of many-a-single laugh-loving lady and the on-screen heart of the film’s star and writer Kristen Wiig. Since, O’Dowd’s resume is lighting up faster than the cherries on a 5-0’s Impala. He’s appearing in the musical dramedy “The Sapphires,” which got the ever-coveted Weinstein seal of approval, as the company picked up most of the film’s worldwide distribution rights. The movie follows the real-life story of a group of 1960s Aboriginal Australian singers, who become their continent’s answer to The Supremes. O’Dowd plays a talent agent who discovers the band and coaches them on their rise to fame. The film has been chosen as an official selection at the ongoing Cannes Film Festival, and premieres there May 19. O’Dowd is also set to appear in the eagerly anticipated not-sequel to “Knocked Up,” Judd Apatow’s “This is Forty,” alongside his “Bridesmaids” co-star Melissa McCarthy. He also plays a lead role in the U.K.’s upcoming TV comedy “Moone Boy” and has signed on to star in the film “Cavalry.” It was recently announced that O’Dowd would dance his way to big screens in the upcoming film “Cuban Fury” alongside the equally seemingly unmusical comedian Nick Frost. So for being in a film that got distribution from the Weinstein hit factory; a Cannes official selection; and for putting on some dancing shoes for the sake of comedy, Chris O’Dowd’s stock is soaring. And since he’s valued in Euros, that means he’s worth a lot.

Many American audiences, who’ve come to know, loathe, and love Hugh Laurie, as Dr. Gregory House on the medical drama “House,” may not know that the oh-so-serious TV grump actually got his showbiz start in comedy. Laurie shot to fame in his native England as half of a sketch comedy duo, starring on the BBC hit show “A Bit of Fry and Laurie,” alongside his old Cambridge pal Stephen Fry. With “House” coming to an end this month, after an eight season run, Laurie’s stock took a tumble, but recently Fry revealed a little Laurie tidbit that has his value evening out. Fry recently tweeted, “M'coll Hugh Laurie and I are cooking up a project together. We will be working again soon. Sorry to be mysterious but more news when I can.” (M’coll’s an old inside joke from their sketch show days.) Not one to keep audiences waiting too long, Fry made the big reveal the next day, tweeting: “M'coll Hugh & I will be working together to voice the new animated feature of Oscar Wilde’s THE CANTERVILLE GHOST.” ‘Ghost’ is a short story by Wilde; a macabre comedy about an American family who takes up residence at an old and haunted English country home. So, despite the cancellation of his long-running series, Laurie gets props for jumping right back on the comedy train. Plus, after “House” wraps, Laurie will be hitting the road with his blues and jazz band, Copper Bottom, so he also evens out purely based on coolness factor.

Eddie Izzard recently announced his latest filmic venture; he’ll be producing and starring in a documentary about Nelson Mandela while running 27 marathons in 27 days, all on film, to pay tribute to the former South African President. The number 27 symbolizes the years Mandela spent in a South African prison during the country’s apartheid. The marathons will geographically retrace Mandela’s life in his home country, occurring in such places as the Eastern Cape, Pretoria, and Robben Island where he was imprisoned. The proceeds from the documentary will go to the Nelson Mandela Foundation and other charities. On top of getting his run and charity on, Izzard is set to star in the “Munsters” reboot “Mockingbird Lane,” where he’ll play the family of freaks’ patriarch, Grandpa Munster. It was revealed recently that the show is set to begin shooting next month, with a possible fall premiere. Izzard is also appearing on IFC’s offbeat action comedy “Bullet in the Face.” The six-part series is set to premiere this summer. So for being all charitable and starring on a couple shows, Eddie Izzard’s stock is up. Time to put your Pounds in Grandpa.