Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris

Active - 1988 - 2022  |   Born - Jun 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States  |   Genres - Comedy, Drama, Family & Personal Relationships

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Biography by AllMovie

Neil Patrick Harris made his first splash playing a 16-year-old doctor in the Steven Bochco television series Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989-1993). Following the series' demise, the young adult actor laid low for a few years, appearing in films like Starship Troopers and Shakespeare's Sister. Harris second act would come in 2004, however, when he played a hilariously insane, fictionalized version of himself for the stoner comedy Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. Harris would follow this up with a starring role on the hugely popular, left of center sitcom How I Met Your Mother, playing beloved rake and ladies' man Barney.

In addition to his film and television career, Harris has also had a successful career on-stage. In 1997, he wowed California audiences playing the lead in the popular off-Broadway musical Rent.

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Factsheet

  • First stage role was in an elementary-school production of The Wizard of Oz---playing Toto.
  • Growing up, his parents were both lawyers and owned Perennials Restaurant in Albuquerque.
  • Was discovered by screenwriter Mark Medoff while attending a youth drama camp, and was subsequently cast for the film Clara's Heart (1988).
  • An amateur magician, he has performed tricks on late-night shows hosted by David Letterman, Jay Leno and Carson Daly.
  • Made his Broadway debut in 2002 in Proof.
  • In 2010, directed Rent at the Hollywood Bowl, starring Aaron Tveit, Skylar Astin and Vanessa Hudgens.