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.

Known For

The Simpsons

Family Guy

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Late Night with Seth Meyers

The Daily Show

Sesame Street

All Movies (97)

• Sunny Dancer2026 · as Patrick
• Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour2026 · as The Boss
• Doctor Who at the Proms2024 · as The Toymaker (archive footage)
• Group Therapy2024 · as Self - Moderator
• Assassins2024 · as The Balladeer
• Assassins2024 · as Lee Harvey Oswald
• Dolly Parton's Pet Gala2024
• Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials2023 · as The Toymaker (archive footage)
• Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids2023 · as Narrator (voice)
• Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium2022 · as Self
• The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent2022 · as Richard Fink
• The Matrix Resurrections2021 · as The Analyst
• 8-Bit Christmas2021 · as Adult Jake Doyle / Narrator
• Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker2021 · as J.C. Leyendecker (voice)
• The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration2020 · as Self
• Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional2019 · as Narrator
• Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits2019 · as Self - Host
• Dads2019 · as Self
• Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate2019 · as Self
• Wig2019 · as Self
• Mickey’s 90th Spectacular2018 · as Self
• Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute2018 · as Self
• Downsizing2017 · as Jeff Lonowski
• The Words That Built America2017 · as Self - Reader: Declaration of Independence
• Neil Patrick Harris: Circus Awesomeus2016 · as Host / Himself
• In Their Own Words: Jim Henson2015 · as Self - Actor
• Gone Girl2014 · as Desi Collings
• A Million Ways to Die in the West2014 · as Foy
• Attack of the 50-foot Gummi Bear2014 · as Steve the Monkey (voice)
• Steve's First Bath2014 · as Steve (voice)
• Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade2013 · as Host
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 22013 · as Steve (voice)
• The Smurfs 22013 · as Patrick Winslow
• The Out List2013 · as Himself
• Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals2013 · as Narrator
• A Snow White Christmas: Opening Night2012 · as The Magic Mirror
• Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special2012 · as Two-Face / Black Manta (voice)
• American Reunion2012 · as Celebrity Dance-Off Host
• The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Blowhole2012 · as Dr. Blowhole (voice)
• The Muppets2011 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas2011 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• The Smurfs2011 · as Patrick Winslow
• Company2011 · as Robert
• Beastly2011 · as Will Fratalli
• The Best and the Brightest2010 · as Jeff
• Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore2010 · as Lou (voice)
• Batman: Under the Red Hood2010 · as Nightwing (voice)
• Through a Dog's Eyes2010 · as Narrator
• Dracula's Daughter vs. the Space Brains2010 · as Dan
• A First Look at Batman: Under the Red Hood2010 · as Self
• Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days2010 · as The Shoe Fairy (uncredited) (archive footage)
• Yes, Virginia2009 · as Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (voice)
• Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales2009 · as Self
• Beyond All Boundaries2009 · as 1st Lt. David Hettema / Sgt. William Manchester
• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs2009 · as Steve (voice)
• Commentary! The Musical2008
• Prop 8: The Musical2008 · as A Very Smart Fellow
• Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay2008 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• Justice League: The New Frontier2008 · as Barry Allen / The Flash (voice)
• The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog2007 · as Self
• Eloise Goes to School2007
• The Christmas Blessing2005 · as Nathan Andrews
• Serenity2005 · as Screaming Reaver (uncredited)
• Disney Heroes Volume 12005 · as Moyo (voice)
• The Golden Blaze2005 · as The Comic Shop Owner (voice)
• Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle2004 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• Undercover Brother2002 · as Lance
• Death from Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers'2002 · as Himself
• The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony2002 · as Self
• The Mesmerist2002 · as Benjamin
• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert2001 · as Tobias
• The Wedding Dress2001 · as Travis Cleveland
• Summer of Camp Caprice2001 · as Jed (voice)
• The Next Best Thing2000 · as David
• The Christmas Wish1998 · as Will Martin
• The Proposition1998 · as Roger Martin
• Starship Troopers1997 · as Colonel Carl Jenkins
• Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story1995 · as William Coit
• The Man in the Attic1995 · as Edward Broder
• My Antonia1995 · as Jimmy Burden
• Not Our Son1995 · as Paul Keller
• Animal Room1995 · as Arnold Mosk
• Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story1994 · as Jim Stolpa
• Sudden Fury1993 · as Brian Hannigan
• For Our Children1993 · as Self
• This Is MST3K1992 · as Self
• Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You1992 · as Self
• Stranger in the Family1991 · as Steve Thompson
• The Best of Disney: 50 Years of Magic1991 · as Self
• The Earth Day Special1990 · as Doogie Howser
• Cold Sassy Tree1989 · as Will Tweedy
• Home Fires Burning1989 · as Lonnie Tibbettes
• Purple People Eater1988 · as Billy Johnson
• Too Good to Be True1988 · as Danny Harland
• Clara's Heart1988 · as David Hart
• The Last Temptation of Becky— · as General Wilhelm Reuss
• How I Met The Robin— · as Barney Stinson

All TV Shows (107)

• I Changed My Mind with Dan Souza2026 · as Self - Guest
• What's in the Box?2025 · as Self - Host
• Dexter: Resurrection2025 · as Lowell / The Tattoo Collector
• Drag Me to Dinner2023 · as Self - Judge
• Uncoupled2022 · as Michael Lawson
• How I Met Your Father2022 · as Barney Stinson
• It's a Sin2021 · as Henry Coltrane
• Get Organized with The Home Edit2020
• Home Movie: The Princess Bride2020 · as Westley
• Fraggle Rock: Rock On!2020 · as Self
• Visible: Out on Television2020 · as Self - Narrator (voice)
• The Kelly Clarkson Show2019 · as Self
• Today with Jenna & Sheinelle2019 · as Self - Guest
• Genius Junior2018 · as Host
• At Home with Amy Sedaris2017 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• Carpool Karaoke: The Series2017 · as Self
• Mystery Science Theater 30002017 · as Neville LaRoy
• A Series of Unfortunate Events2017 · as Count Olaf
• Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris2015 · as Himself
• In Their Own Words2015 · as Self
• Celebrity Family Feud2015 · as Self
• Hot Ones2015 · as Self
• Late Night with Seth Meyers2014 · as Self
• Late Night with Seth Meyers2014 · as Self - Guest
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon2014 · as Self
• Off Camera with Sam Jones2014 · as Self
• Stephen Fry: Out There2013 · as Self
• Beat Bobby Flay2013 · as Self
• Neil's Puppet Dreams2012 · as Neil Patrick Harris
• Finding Your Roots2012 · as Self
• Billy on the Street2011 · as Self
• Brain Games2011 · as Himself - Host
• American Horror Story2011 · as Chester Creb
• Hamish and Andy's Gap Year2011 · as Self
• Take Two with Phineas and Ferb2010 · as Self
• Conan2010 · as Self
• The Talk2010 · as Self
• Adventure Time2010 · as Prince Gumball (voice)
• Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen2009 · as Self - Guest
• Top Chef Masters2009 · as Himself - Guest Judge
• Glee2009 · as Bryan Ryan
• Late Night with Jimmy Fallon2009 · as Self
• RuPaul's Drag Race2009 · as Self - Guest Judge
• The Penguins of Madagascar2008 · as Dr. Blowhole (voice)
• Batman: The Brave and the Bold2008 · as Music Meister (voice)
• Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog2008 · as Dr. Horrible
• Million Dollar Password2008
• The Graham Norton Show2007 · as Self
• Me, Eloise2006 · as (voice)
• Me, Eloise2006 · as Philip (voice)
• Rachael Ray2006
• The Megan Mullally Show2006 · as Self - Guest
• Child Star Confidential2006 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Reichen Show2005 · as Self - Guest
• The Colbert Report2005
• How I Met Your Mother2005 · as Barney Stinson
• Robot Chicken2005 · as Executive / Harvey Dent / Two-Face / Three-Face / Four-Face (voice)
• Numb3rs2005 · as Ethan Burdick
• The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson2005 · as Self
• The Tony Danza Show2004 · as Self - Guest
• Jack & Bobby2004
• Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards2003
• The Ellen DeGeneres Show2003 · as Self
• Spider-Man: The New Animated Series2003 · as Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice)
• Punk'd2003 · as Self
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!2003 · as Self
• Boomtown2002 · as Peter Corman
• Justice League2001 · as Ray Thompson (voice)
• Law & Order: Criminal Intent2001 · as John Tagman
• The Legend of Tarzan2001 · as Moyo (voice)
• Ed2000 · as Joe Baxter
• Static Shock2000 · as Replay / Johnny Morrow (voice)
• Big Brother2000 · as Self - Celebrity Guest
• Son of the Beach2000
• The Early Show1999 · as Self
• Stark Raving Mad1999 · as Henry McNeeley
• Joan of Arc1999 · as The Dauphin
• Family Guy1999 · as Barney Stinson (voice)
• Will & Grace1998 · as Bill
• The View1997 · as Self - Guest
• The View1997 · as Self
• The Daily Show1996 · as Self
• The Outer Limits1995 · as Howie Morrison
• Touched by an Angel1994 · as Jonas
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien1993 · as Self - Guest
• Late Show with David Letterman1993 · as Self - Guest
• Late Show with David Letterman1993 · as Self - Top Ten Presenter
• Homicide: Life on the Street1993 · as Alan Schack
• Capitol Critters1992 · as Max (voice)
• Hot Country Nights1991
• Captain Planet and the Planeteers1990 · as Todd Andrews
• Blossom1990
• The Simpsons1989 · as Neil Patrick Harris (voice)
• Doogie Howser, M.D.1989 · as Doogie Howser
• Quantum Leap1989 · as Mike Hammond
• B.L. Stryker1989 · as Buder
• LIVE with Kelly and Mark1988 · as Self - Guest
• Larry King Live1985 · as Self
• Murder, She Wrote1984 · as Tommy Remsen
• Jeopardy!1984 · as Self
• Entertainment Tonight1981 · as Self
• Entertainment Tonight1981
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• Sesame Street1969
• Tony Awards1956 · as Self - Host
• The Oscars1953 · as Host
• Hallmark Hall of Fame1951 · as Lonnie