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.
Known For
Doctor Who at the Proms
The Toymaker (archive footage)
2024
Group Therapy
Self
2024
Dolly Parton's Pet Gala
2024
Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
The Toymaker (archive footage)
2023
Doctor Who: The Giggle
The Toymaker
2023
Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids
Narrator (voice)
2023
Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium
Self
2022
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Richard Fink
2022
The Matrix Resurrections
The Analyst
2021
8-Bit Christmas
Adult Jake Doyle / Narrator
2021
Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker
J.C. Leyendecker (voice)
2021
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional
Narrator
2019
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits
Self - Host
2019
Dads
Self
2019
Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate
Self
2019
Wig
Self
2019
Mickey’s 90th Spectacular
Self
2018
Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute
Self
2018
Downsizing
Jeff Lonowski
2017
The Words That Built America
Self - Reader: Declaration of Independence
2017
Neil Patrick Harris: Circus Awesomeus
Host / Himself
2016
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson
Self - Actor
2015
Gone Girl
Desi Collings
2014
A Million Ways to Die in the West
Foy
2014
Attack of the 50-foot Gummi Bear
Steve the Monkey (voice)
2014
Steve's First Bath
Steve (voice)
2014
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
Host
2013
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
Steve (voice)
2013
The Smurfs 2
Patrick Winslow
2013
The Out List
Himself
2013
Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals
Narrator
2013
A Snow White Christmas: Opening Night
The Magic Mirror
2012
Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special
Two-Face / Black Manta (voice)
2012
American Reunion
Celebrity Dance-Off Host
2012
The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Blowhole
Dr. Blowhole (voice)
2012
The Muppets
Neil Patrick Harris
2011
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas
Neil Patrick Harris
2011
The Smurfs
Patrick Winslow
2011
Company
Robert
2011
Beastly
Will Fratalli
2011
The Best and the Brightest
Jeff
2010
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
Lou (voice)
2010
Batman: Under the Red Hood
Nightwing (voice)
2010
Through a Dog's Eyes
Narrator
2010
Dracula's Daughter vs. the Space Brains
Dan
2010
A First Look at Batman: Under the Red Hood
Self
2010
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
The Shoe Fairy (uncredited) (archive footage)
2010
Yes, Virginia
Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (voice)
2009
Beyond All Boundaries
1st Lt. David Hettema / Sgt. William Manchester
2009
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Steve (voice)
2009
Prop 8: The Musical
A Very Smart Fellow
2008
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Doctor Horrible
2008
Commentary! The Musical
2008
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay
Neil Patrick Harris
2008
Justice League: The New Frontier
Barry Allen / The Flash (voice)
2008
The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Self
2007
Eloise Goes to School
2007
The Christmas Blessing
Nathan Andrews
2005
Serenity
Screaming Reaver (uncredited)
2005
Disney Heroes Volume 1
Moyo (voice)
2005
The Golden Blaze
The Comic Shop Owner (voice)
2005
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Neil Patrick Harris
2004
Undercover Brother
Lance
2002
Death from Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers'
Himself
2002
The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony
Self
2002
The Mesmerist
2002
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Tobias
2001
The Wedding Dress
Travis Cleveland
2001
Summer of Camp Caprice
Jed (voice)
2001
The Next Best Thing
David
2000
The Christmas Wish
Will Martin
1998
The Proposition
Roger Martin
1998
Starship Troopers
Colonel Carl Jenkins
1997
Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story
William Coit
1995
The Man in the Attic
Edward Broder
1995
My Antonia
Jimmy Burden
1995
Not Our Son
Paul Keller
1995
Animal Room
Arnold Mosk
1995
Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story
Jim Stolpa
1994
Sudden Fury
Brian Hannigan
1993
For Our Children
Self
1993
This Is MST3K
Self
1992
Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You
Self
1992
Stranger in the Family
Steve Thompson
1991
The Best of Disney: 50 Years of Magic
Self
1991
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
Todd Andrews · (1 episode)
1990
The Earth Day Special
Doogie Howser M.D.
1990
Cold Sassy Tree
Will Tweedy
1989
Home Fires Burning
Lonnie Tibbettes
1989
Purple People Eater
Billy Johnson
1988
Too Good to Be True
Danny Harland
1988
Clara's Heart
David Hart
1988
Sunny Dancer
Drag Me to Dinner
Self - Judge · (10 episodes)
2023
Uncoupled
Michael Lawson · (8 episodes)
2022
How I Met Your Father
Barney Stinson · (2 episodes)
2022
It's a Sin
Henry Coltrane · (1 episode)
2021
Get Organized with The Home Edit
(1 episode)
2020
Home Movie: The Princess Bride
Westley · (1 episode)
2020
Visible: Out on Television
Self - Narrator (voice) · (5 episodes)
2020
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self · (1 episode)
2019
Today with Hoda & Jenna
Self · (2 episodes)
2019
Genius Junior
Host · (10 episodes)
2018
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Self · (1 episode)
2017
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Neville LaRoy · (1 episode)
2017
A Series of Unfortunate Events
Count Olaf · (25 episodes)
2017
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
Himself · (8 episodes)
2015
In Their Own Words
Self · (1 episode)
2015
Celebrity Family Feud
Self · (1 episode)
2015
Hot Ones
Self · (1 episode)
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (2 episodes)
2014
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Off Camera with Sam Jones
Self · (1 episode)
2014
Stephen Fry: Out There
Himself · (1 episode)
2013
Beat Bobby Flay
Self · (1 episode)
2013
Neil's Puppet Dreams
Neil Patrick Harris · (7 episodes)
2012
Finding Your Roots
Self · (1 episode)
2012
Billy on the Street
Self · (1 episode)
2011
Brain Games
Himself - Host · (3 episodes)
2011
American Horror Story
Chester Creb · (2 episodes)
2011
Hamish and Andy's Gap Year
Self · (1 episode)
2011
Take Two with Phineas and Ferb
(1 episode)
2010
Conan
Self · (2 episodes)
2010
Adventure Time
Prince Gumball · (3 episodes)
2010
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
2009
Top Chef Masters
Himself - Guest Judge · (1 episode)
2009
Glee
Bryan Ryan · (1 episode)
2009
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Self · (1 episode)
2009
RuPaul's Drag Race
Self - Guest Judge · (1 episode)
2009
The Penguins of Madagascar
Dr. Blowhole (voice) · (3 episodes)
2008
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Music Meister (voice) · (1 episode)
2008
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Dr. Horrible · (3 episodes)
2008
Million Dollar Password
(1 episode)
2008
The Graham Norton Show
Self · (1 episode)
2007
Me, Eloise
(voice) · (1 episode)
2006
Me, Eloise
Philip (voice) · (2 episodes)
2006
Rachael Ray
(2 episodes)
2006
The Megan Mullally Show
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
2006
The Reichen Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2005
The Colbert Report
(1 episode)
2005
How I Met Your Mother
Barney Stinson · (208 episodes)
2005
Numb3rs
(1 episode)
2005
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self · (7 episodes)
2005
The Tony Danza Show
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2004
Jack & Bobby
(1 episode)
2004
Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards
(10 episodes)
2003
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (2 episodes)
2003
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice) · (13 episodes)
2003
Punk'd
Self · (1 episode)
2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
(1 episode)
2003
Boomtown
Peter Corman · (1 episode)
2002
Justice League
Ray Thompson (voice) · (2 episodes)
2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
John Tagman · (1 episode)
2001
The Legend of Tarzan
Moyo (voice) · (1 episode)
2001
Ed
Joe Baxter · (1 episode)
2000
Static Shock
Replay / Johnny Morrow (voice) · (1 episode)
2000
Big Brother
Self - Celebrity Guest · (1 episode)
2000
Son of the Beach
(1 episode)
2000
The Early Show
Self · (1 episode)
1999
Stark Raving Mad
Henry McNeeley · (22 episodes)
1999
Joan of Arc
The Dauphin · (2 episodes)
1999
Family Guy
Barney Stinson (voice) · (2 episodes)
1999
Will & Grace
Bill · (1 episode)
1998
The View
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
1997
The View
Self · (2 episodes)
1997
The Daily Show
Self · (3 episodes)
1996
The Outer Limits
Howie Morrison · (1 episode)
1995
Touched by an Angel
Jonas · (1 episode)
1994
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
1993
Homicide: Life on the Street
(1 episode)
1993
Capitol Critters
Max (voice) · (13 episodes)
1992
Hot Country Nights
(1 episode)
1991
Blossom
(1 episode)
1990
The Simpsons
Neil Patrick Harris (voice) · (1 episode)
1989
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Doogie Howser · (97 episodes)
1989
Quantum Leap
Mike Hammond · (1 episode)
1989
B.L. Stryker
Buder · (1 episode)
1989
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest · (3 episodes)
1988
Larry King Live
Self · (1 episode)
1985
Murder, She Wrote
Tommy Remsen · (1 episode)
1984
Jeopardy!
(1 episode)
1984
Entertainment Tonight
Self · (3 episodes)
1981
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host · (1 episode)
1975
Sesame Street
(1 episode)
1969
Tony Awards
Self - Host · (4 episodes)
1956
The Oscars
Host · (1 episode)
1953
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Lonnie · (1 episode)
1951