Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

Biography

Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. Primarily known for his comedic television roles and dramatic and musical stage roles, he has received multiple accolades throughout his career, including a Tony Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and nominations for a Grammy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards.

On television, he is known for playing the title character on the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy, as well as Barney Stinson on the CBS series How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014, for which he was nominated for four Emmy Awards), and Count Olaf on the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017–2019).

Harris is also known for his role as the title character in Joss Whedon's musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008) and a fictional version of himself in the Harold & Kumar film series (2004–2011). His other films include Starship Troopers (1997), Beastly (2011), The Smurfs (2011), The Smurfs 2 (2013), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), and Gone Girl (2014).

In 2010, Harris won two awards at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on Glee, and Outstanding Special Class Program for hosting the Tony Awards in 2009; he has won the latter award three additional times for hosting the show in 2011, 2012, and 2013. He also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009 and 2013, and hosted the 87th Academy Awards in 2015, thus making him the first openly gay man to host the Academy Awards. In 2014, he starred in the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, for which he won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.

Harris was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2010. He is married to David Burtka. In 2010, they had twins via surrogacy.

🎬 Movies Featuring Neil Patrick Harris

Doctor Who at the Proms

Doctor Who at the Proms (2024)

as The Toymaker (archive footage)
Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials

Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials (2023)

as The Toymaker (archive footage)
8-Bit Christmas

8-Bit Christmas (2021)

as Adult Jake Doyle / Narrator
Downsizing

Downsizing (2017)

as Jeff Lonowski
The Words That Built America

The Words That Built America (2017)

as Self - Reader: Declaration of Independence
Gone Girl

Gone Girl (2014)

as Desi Collings
The Smurfs 2

The Smurfs 2 (2013)

as Patrick Winslow
Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special

Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special (2012)

as Two-Face / Black Manta (voice)
American Reunion

American Reunion (2012)

as Celebrity Dance-Off Host
The Muppets

The Muppets (2011)

as Neil Patrick Harris
The Smurfs

The Smurfs (2011)

as Patrick Winslow
Beastly

Beastly (2011)

as Will Fratalli
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2010)

as The Shoe Fairy (uncredited) (archive footage)
Yes, Virginia

Yes, Virginia (2009)

as Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (voice)
Beyond All Boundaries

Beyond All Boundaries (2009)

as 1st Lt. David Hettema / Sgt. William Manchester
Prop 8: The Musical

Prop 8: The Musical (2008)

as A Very Smart Fellow
Justice League: The New Frontier

Justice League: The New Frontier (2008)

as Barry Allen / The Flash (voice)
Serenity

Serenity (2005)

as Screaming Reaver (uncredited)
The Golden Blaze

The Golden Blaze (2005)

as The Comic Shop Owner (voice)
The Wedding Dress

The Wedding Dress (2001)

as Travis Cleveland
Starship Troopers

Starship Troopers (1997)

as Colonel Carl Jenkins
My Antonia

My Antonia (1995)

as Jimmy Burden
Not Our Son

Not Our Son (1995)

as Paul Keller
Animal Room

Animal Room (1995)

as Arnold Mosk
Sudden Fury

Sudden Fury (1993)

as Brian Hannigan
The Earth Day Special

The Earth Day Special (1990)

as Doogie Howser M.D.
Home Fires Burning

Home Fires Burning (1989)

as Lonnie Tibbettes