Neil Patrick Harris was born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Before his beginnings as a child actor, he began acting in school plays, after following his brother to an audition when he was a fourth grader. His stint as a student of La Cueva High School was marked with more roles in different school plays and musicals. Before he graduated in 1991, however, he became active in Hollywood. He made his screen debut in 1988, when he starred opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the drama Clara’s Heart. His role as the young child David earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
In 1989, Harris became more known to audience when he snagged the lead in the sitcom Doogie Howser, M.D. The comedy saw him play a child prodigy who becomes the youngest practicing physician in the country, while dealing with the problems of a normal teenager. He earned another Golden Globe nomination for the role in 1992. When the show’s four-year run ended in 1993, Harris played several guest roles in different television shows, and also played notable roles in television movies and stage productions.
His next major project came in 1999, when he starred opposite Tony Shalhoub in the short-lived comedy Stark Raving Mad. Despite its truncated run, it was an audience favorite, and his portrayal of reluctant editor Henry McNeeley won the hearts of viewers. At the end of the show’s run, he returned on the guest circuit, and also made the rounds of different Broadway productions. Notable appearances include those for Sweeney Todd, Proof, Assassins and his critically-acclaimed performance as the Emcee in Cabaret. He also provided the voice of Peter Parker in the 2003 animated version of Spider-Man, and played a fictionalized version of himself in the two Harold & Kumar movies.
One other famed project for the openly-gay actor is How I Met Your Mother, where he plays notorious womanizer Barney Stinson. He did not expect to get the role, and thought that he was invited to audition only because he is friends with the show’s casting director Megan Branman. He nevertheless got the role, and has since been nominated twice for an Emmy for Best Comedy Supporting Actor.
In 2008, Harris became known for his role as Dr. Horrible in the Joss Whedon musical web series, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog. He later appeared on Sesame Street, playing the Sesame Street Shoe Fairy.
People Magazine, November 3, 2006: "Rather than ignore those who choose to publish their opinions without actually talking to me, I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love."
I heard through the grapevine that they'd written this movie and that I was in it, and that I had to call my attorneys and make it stop -- that it was a bad thing, and I read it and thought it was hilarious. A friend was auditioning for a different part in the movie and said, 'do you know about this movie that you're in?' - on playing "Neil Patrick Harris" in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)
Comedy is way more difficult than drama. What I might find funny, the editor might not find funny. They might choose the reaction shot from Take 4 with my line from Take 1 with my next line from Take 7, and then the timing that I was trying to do does not come across.
"What up!!"
"Legen-wait for it-Dary!!"
"Suit Up!!"
"De-wait for it-Nial!!"
Dr. Horrible: And by the way, it's not about making money, it's about taking money. Destroying the status quo, because the status is *not* quo.