Neil Patrick Harris
Actor Neil Patrick Harris found stardom as a childhood actor before growing into one of the most recognizable actors of his generation as an adult. Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he earned a prized role right out of the gate when he appeared opposite Whoopi Goldberg in "Clara's Heart" (1988) as a teenager. That performance brought him to the attention of television producers Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley who cast him as the lead in their dramedy "Doogie Howser, M.D." (ABC, 1989-93). Harris played the title character, a medical prodigy who's beginning his career with a hospital residency as a 16-year-old. The role turned the young actor into a pop culture sensation, and he was soon making appearances as the character in PSAs and the hit sitcom "Roseanne" (ABC, 1988-2018). When the show ended, the actor continued making regular appearances on television, largely in TV films such as "Not Our Son" (CBS, 1995) and "A Family Torn Apart" (NBC, 1993). Stage performances in James Lapine's "Luck, Pluck & Virtue" and the original West Coast production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent" helped change the perception of Harris as an actor incapable of adult roles. He began getting non-teen roles in films such as "Starship Troopers" (1997) and opposite Tony Shaloub in the sitcom "Stark Raving Mad" (NBC, 1999-2000). He mixed in stage roles with guest appearances on television before what would become a second defining role. Harris joined the cast of "How I Met Your Mother" (CBS, 2005-14) as scheming ladies man Barney Stinson, a part that would last for nine seasons. He earned a different kind of cache when he played a version of himself in the stoner comedy "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004). He would later join stars John Cho and Kal Penn for two sequels. During the Writers Guild of America strike in 2008, the actor had the opportunity to show off his singing voice when he starred in Joss Whedon's "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog" (2008). On the big screen, he starred in the comedies "The Smurfs" (2011), "The Smurfs 2" (2013), and Seth MacFarlane's "A Million Ways to Die in the West" (2014). Stretching beyond his norm, he appeared in David Fincher's mystery thriller "Gone Girl" (2014). He also gained acclaim playing the lead in the Broadway revival of "Hedwig and the Angry Itch" in 2014. Harris turned into the go-to emcee for awards shows, hosting the television broadcasts of the Tony, Emmy, and Academy Awards. He built upon that easy rapport with audiences to create the short-lived variety show "Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris" (NBC, 2015). The actor played against his likable persona with a turn as the villainous Count Olaf in the television adaptation of the Lemony Snicket children's books "A Series of Unfortunate Events" (Netflix, 2017-19). He then joined the 1970s music drama "Spinning Gold" (2020) playing Kiss manager Bill Aucoin.
Photos
Neil Patrick Harris
Filmography
Movies
Credit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dolly Parton's Pet Gala | Self | - | 2024 |
70% | No Score Yet | Group Therapy | Self | - | 2024 |
31% |
|
Spinning Gold | Bill Aucoin (Character) | - | 2023 |
100% | No Score Yet | Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids |
Narrator, Executive Producer |
- | 2022 |
87% |
|
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent | Richard Fink (Character) | $20.2M | 2022 |
63% |
|
The Matrix Resurrections | The Analyst (Character) | $37.7M | 2021 |
84% |
|
8-Bit Christmas | Adult Jake Doyle (Character) | - | 2021 |
63% |
|
Revolution Rent | Executive Producer | - | 2019 |
94% |
|
Dads | Self | - | 2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Wig | Producer | - | 2019 |
47% |
|
Downsizing | Jeff Lonowski (Character) | $24.4M | 2017 |
88% |
|
Gone Girl | Desi Collings (Character) | $167.8M | 2014 |
33% |
|
A Million Ways to Die in the West | Foy (Character) | $42.6M | 2014 |
72% |
|
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 | Steve (Voice) | $119.8M | 2013 |
14% |
|
The Smurfs 2 | Patrick Winslow (Character) | $71.0M | 2013 |
45% |
|
American Reunion | Celebrity Dance-Off Host (Character) | $3.1M | 2012 |
95% |
|
The Muppets | Self | $88.6M | 2011 |
69% |
|
A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas | Self | $35.0M | 2011 |
21% |
|
The Smurfs | Patrick Winslow (Character) | $142.6M | 2011 |
21% |
|
Beastly | Will (Character) | $27.9M | 2011 |
No Score Yet |
|
Company | Robert (Character) | - | 2011 |
85% |
|
Make Believe | Unknown (Character) | - | 2010 |
26% |
|
The Best and the Brightest | Jeff (Character) | - | 2010 |
13% |
|
Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore | Lou (Voice) | $43.6M | 2010 |
100% |
|
Batman: Under the Red Hood | Nightwing (Voice) | - | 2010 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dracula's Daughters vs. the Space Brains | Dan (Character) | - | 2010 |
85% |
|
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs | Steve (Voice) | - | 2009 |
No Score Yet |
|
Yes, Virginia | Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (Voice) | - | 2009 |
53% |
|
Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay | Self | $38.1M | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
Justice League: The New Frontier |
Barry Allen / |
- | 2008 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Christmas Blessing | Nathan Andrews (Character) | - | 2005 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Golden Blaze | The Comic Shop Owner (Voice) | - | 2005 |
74% |
|
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle | Self | $18.2M | 2004 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Mesmerist | Benjamin (Character) | - | 2002 |
78% |
|
Undercover Brother | Lance (Character) | $38.2M | 2002 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Wedding Dress | Travis Cleveland (Character) | - | 2001 |
No Score Yet |
|
Sweeney Todd in Concert | Unknown (Character) | - | 2001 |
19% |
|
The Next Best Thing | David (Character) | $15.0M | 2000 |
10% |
|
Joan of Arc | The Dauphin, later King Charles VII of France (Character) | - | 1999 |
11% |
|
The Proposition | Roger Martin (Character) | $121.9K | 1998 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Christmas Wish | Will Martin (Character) | - | 1998 |
72% |
|
Starship Troopers | Carl Jenkins (Character) | $54.7M | 1997 |
No Score Yet |
|
Animal Room | Arnold Mosk (Character) | - | 1995 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Not Our Son | Paul Kenneth Keller (Character) | - | 1995 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story | William Coit (Character) | - | 1995 |
No Score Yet |
|
My Antonia | Jimmy Burden (Character) | - | 1995 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Man in the Attic | Edward Broder (Character) | - | 1994 |
No Score Yet |
|
Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story | Jim Stolpa (Character) | - | 1994 |
No Score Yet |
|
A Family Torn Apart | Brian Hannigan (Character) | - | 1993 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | A Stranger in the Family | Steve Thompson (Character) | - | 1991 |
No Score Yet |
|
Home Fires Burning | Lonnie Tibbetts (Character) | - | 1989 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Cold Sassy Tree | Will Tweedy (Character) | - | 1989 |
47% |
|
Clara's Heart | David Hart (Character) | $4.5M | 1988 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Purple People Eater | Billy Johnson (Character) | - | 1988 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Too Good to Be True | Danny Harland (Character) | - | 1988 |
TV
Credit | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
96% | 33% | Doctor Who | The Toymaker (Character) | 2023 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Celebrity Family Feud | Guest | 2023 |
No Score Yet | 12% | The View | Guest | 2013-2014 2016 2018-2019 2022-2023 |
60% | 52% | Drag Me to Dinner |
Executive Producer, Creator, Judge |
2023 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Hot Ones | Self | 2022 |
73% | 76% | Uncoupled |
Michael (Character), Executive Producer |
2022 |
No Score Yet | 44% | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon | Guest | 2017 2022 |
No Score Yet | 28% | The Drew Barrymore Show | Guest | 2020 2022 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Guest | 2011 2013-2015 2017 2021 |
No Score Yet | 42% | Jimmy Kimmel Live! |
Guest, Host |
2008 2010 2013 2015-2018 2021 |
98% | 64% | Star Wars: Visions | Karre (Voice) | 2021 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Eden | Zero (Voice) | 2021 |
97% | 92% | It's a Sin | Henry Coltrane (Character) | 2021 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Graham Norton Show | Guest | 2021 |
No Score Yet | 55% | The Kelly Clarkson Show | Guest | 2020 |
No Score Yet | 18% | The Late Late Show With James Corden | Guest | 2015 2017-2020 |
88% | 9% | Get Organized With The Home Edit | Guest | 2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Fraggle Rock: Rock On! | Guest | 2020 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Rachael Ray | Guest | 2007 2009 2013-2014 2018-2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | 73 Questions | Self | 2019 |
No Score Yet | 61% | Late Night With Seth Meyers | Guest | 2014-2016 2019 |
96% | 87% | A Series of Unfortunate Events | Count Olaf (Character) | 2017-2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Genius Junior |
Executive Producer, Host |
2018 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Talk | Guest | 2010 2012-2014 2017-2018 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Carpool Karaoke: The Series | Music Performer | 2017 |
100% | 90% | Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Return | Neville LaRoy (Guest Star) | 2017 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Rupaul's Drag Race: RuVealed | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2017 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen | Guest | 2010 2013 2015 2017 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Chew | Guest | 2012 2017 |
No Score Yet | 50% | The Late Show With Stephen Colbert | Guest | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Beat Bobby Flay | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2016 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Finding Your Roots | Guest | 2016 |
29% | 56% | Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris |
Executive Producer, Host |
2015 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Wendy Williams Show | Guest | 2015 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | America's Got Talent | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2015 |
100% | 78% | Late Show With David Letterman | Guest | 2014-2015 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Inside the Actors Studio | Guest | 2014-2015 |
77% | 66% | American Horror Story | Chester Creb (Guest Star) | 2015 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Conan | Guest | 2011-2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Project Runway: Under the Gunn | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2014 |
84% | 85% | How I Met Your Mother |
Barney Stinson (Character), Unknown (Guest Star), Director |
2005-2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Funny or Die's Billy on the Street | Guest | 2014 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Great Performances | Unknown (Character) | 2013 |
54% | No Score Yet | Emmys | Host | 2009 2013 |
No Score Yet | 91% | The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson | Guest | 2013 |
38% | 40% | The Goodwin Games | Director | 2013 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Late Night With Jimmy Fallon | Guest | 2009 2011 2013 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Colbert Report | Guest | 2012 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Test Your Brain |
Unknown (Character), Narrator |
2011 |
100% | 94% | Adventure Time | Prince Gumball (Guest Voice) | 2011 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Daily Show | Guest | 2011 |
No Score Yet | 58% | So You Think You Can Dance | Judge | 2011 |
70% | 72% | Glee | Bryan Ryan (Guest Star) | 2010 |
No Score Yet | 86% | The Penguins of Madagascar | Dr. Blowhole (Guest Voice) | 2010 |
No Score Yet | 54% | American Idol | Judge | 2010 |
50% | No Score Yet | The Wanda Sykes Show | Guest | 2010 |
No Score Yet | 84% | Robot Chicken | Unknown (Guest Voice) | 2009 |
No Score Yet | 64% | Family Guy | Barney Stinson (Guest Voice) | 2007 2009 |
No Score Yet | 57% | Saturday Night Live | Host | 2009 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Sesame Street | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2008 |
No Score Yet | 92% | Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog | Unknown (Character) | 2008 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Million Dollar Password | Contestant | 2008 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Late Night With Conan O'Brien | Guest | 2007-2008 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | MADtv | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
88% | No Score Yet | Jack & Bobby | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
No Score Yet | 93% | Numb3ers | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2005 |
No Score Yet | 72% | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2004 |
No Score Yet | 60% | Spider-Man | Unknown (Voice) | 2003 |
96% | No Score Yet | Boomtown | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2003 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Touched by an Angel | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2002 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Ed | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2001 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Son of the Beach | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2001 |
0% | No Score Yet | Stark Raving Mad | Henry McNeely (Character) | 1999-2000 |
No Score Yet | 88% | Will & Grace | Bill (Guest Star) | 2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Outer Limits | Howie Morrison (Character) | 1996 |
No Score Yet | 89% | Murder, She Wrote | Tommy Remsen (Guest Star) | 1993 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Dr. Douglas "Doogie" Howser (Character) | 1989-1993 |
No Score Yet | 90% | Quantum Leap | Mike Hammond (Guest Star) | 1993 |
76% | 78% | Roseanne | Doogie Howser (Guest Star) | 1992 |
85% | 76% | The Simpsons | Himself (Guest Voice) | 1991 |