Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque) is the American actor, former child star, producer, singer, magician, dancer, director and writer who portrayed Barney Stinson, and his doppelganger Dr. John Stangel, on How I Met Your Mother.
In addition to that role, he is best known for the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D. (which is occasionally alluded to on HIMYM). He also portrayed a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold & Kumar films, alongside Kal Penn who played Kevin Venkataraghavan and John Cho who played Jefferson Coatsworth, and starred as the sympathetic villain Dr. Horrible in Joss Whedon's Emmy Award-winning musical web series 'Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog'.
Media[]
Film[]
His film/TV career started with a role in Claras Heart and the kids film the Purple People Eaters. During the years NPH got roles in many films but is best known for Starship Troopers, the Harold and Kumar films and his lead in the The Smurfs 1 + 2 (2011/2013). His newest appearance on big screen will be in David Finchers Gone Girl and Seth McFarlaines A million ways to die in the West (2014)
TV[]
Harris played the titular character in Doogie Howser. From 1999 -2000 he was in the main cast of Stark Raving Mad. He had many minor guest roles in different series, for his guest role in Glee he even won an Emmy in 2010. In 2023, he has portrayed The Toymaker in British TV show, Doctor Who, where he was able to show his interest in both magic and puppets.
Theater[]
As a big fan of theater Harris left Los Angeles and moved to New York to play theater for some years. He had roles on the Broadway musicals Cabaret, Assassins and Proof. He left NY and moved back to LA for his role on HIMYM in 2005. After finishing HIMYM in spring 2014 Harris returned to Broadway for his role as Hedwig on "Hedwig and the Angry Inch". He was nominated for the Tony for best leading actor in a musical and won the Tony on June 7, 2014.
Hosting[]
Harris is also known as a talented host. He hosted several award shows during the last years.
- the Tony Awards four times in 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013 the last 2 times he was also producer of the show
- the Primetime Emmy Awards two times in 2009 & 2013, both aired on CBS
the Video Game Awards on Spike TV 2010
The only person who has hosted the Tony Awards more times is Angela Landsbury (5 times).
For the 2013 Emmies Harris's HIMYM co-stars filmed a satire titled "Excessive Hosting Disorder" teasing him about how often he was hosting awards shows.
Directing[]
In addition to acting Harris is also interested to work behind the camera. He directed the episode Jenkins of HIMYM and one episode of The Godwin Games. In 2010 he directed the musical Rent (live at the Hollywood Bowl). In 2012/2013 he directed the magic-show Nothing to Hide, first in LA later in NYC.
Voice Over[]
Harris is also known to have a very versatile voice, so he lends his voice to very different figures in animated films, video games and even to an attraction in Disney World. Harris lent his voice to Prince Gumball in the Gender bent episodes of Adventure Time.
Interests[]
Magic[]
Since childhood Harris is a fan of magic an interest he shares with Barney. He is the director of a private club for magicians in LA, the Magic Castle. He has shown his own magical talent on several talk shows during the years.
Puppets[]
Harris is a big fan of puppets. Next to a guest appearance in Sesame Street he also had an own mini web series with puppets (2012/2013), called Neil's Puppet Dreams.
Awards and nominations[]
Emmys
- 2 creative arts Emmy's (2010 & 2013) for hosting the Tonys in 2009 and 2012
- 1 Emmy 2010 for his guest role on Glee
Peoples Choice Award
- 1990 for Dougie Howser,
- 2012 for HIMYM
In 2011 he got a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category television. Fellow HIMYM actor Jason Seigel and Dr. Horrible creator Joss Whedon spoke at the dedication ceremony.
2014 he got honored from the drama league in New York and got the Hasty Pudding Award.
Tonys
- Best Actor in a Musical for his role in Hedgwig and the Angry Inch.
Notes and Trivia[]
- Neil Patrick Harris is married to David Burtka (who plays Scooter). The two have twin children named Gideon and Harper, both born October 12, 2010.[1]
- His western zodiac sign is Gemini and his Chinese zodiac sign is a Ox.
References[]
- ↑ People Magazine: Neil Patrick Harris Welcomes 'Happy, Healthy' Twins October 15, 2010. Retrieved November 27, 2010.