Neil Patrick Harris is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, director, magician and television host, best known for his roles in Doogie Howser, M.D., How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog and his stage work. Born on June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, he is 53 years old as of October 2026.
Harris grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and began acting professionally as a teenager after being discovered by playwright Mark Medoff. His breakthrough came as the teenage physician Douglas “Doogie” Howser, earning him a Golden Globe nomination. He later reinvented himself as a comedic actor with his role as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother and has since built a diverse career spanning television, film, theater, hosting, writing and magic.
Beyond acting, Harris has hosted the Tony Awards and Primetime Emmys, authored a best-selling interactive memoir, and become a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate. He lives with his husband, chef and actor David Burtka, and their twins.
Who Is Neil Patrick Harris? Biography and Key Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Born | June 15, 1973 (Albuquerque, New Mexico) |
| Spouse | David Burtka (married 2014) |
| Children | 2 (twins: Gideon and Harper) |
- Neil Patrick Harris transitioned from child star (Doogie Howser) to adult leading man on How I Met Your Mother, establishing a rare career resurgence.
- He publicly came out in 2006 and has since become a prominent LGBTQ+ advocate and family figure.
- His memoir Choose Your Own Autobiography was a New York Times bestseller, demonstrating his reach beyond acting.
- Fatherhood had a profound emotional impact, as he openly discusses in interviews.
- Harris has won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
- He received five Primetime Emmy Awards for his work as host and producer.
- Time magazine included him among the 100 most influential people in 2010.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Neil Patrick Harris |
| Birth Date | June 15, 1973 |
| Birthplace | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Spouse | David Burtka |
| Children | Twins Gideon and Harper (born 2010) |
| Occupation | Actor, singer, writer, producer, director, magician, television host |
| Notable TV Shows | Doogie Howser, M.D., How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, A Series of Unfortunate Events |
| Notable Movies | Starship Troopers, Undercover Brother, Harold & Kumar series, The Matrix Resurrections |
| Awards | Tony Award, 5 Primetime Emmys, Golden Globe nomination, Hollywood Walk of Fame star |
| Book | Choose Your Own Autobiography (2012) |
| Net Worth (estimated) | Estimates range from $50 million to $80 million; no official figure |
Who Is Neil Patrick Harris Married To? Family and Personal Life
Marriage to David Burtka
Harris has been in a relationship with actor and chef David Burtka since April 2004. He publicly came out as gay in 2006. The couple engaged after New York legalized same-sex marriage, having proposed to each other years earlier. They married in Italy in September 2014 in a private ceremony with family and close friends. Burtka is also an actor, chef and cookbook author who studied at the University of Michigan, trained at William Esper Studios and Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts. He played Scooter on How I Met Your Mother and won the Clarence Derwent Award. He later ran the catering company Gourmet MD and published the cookbook Life Is a Party in 2019.
Fatherhood: Twins Gideon and Harper
Harris and Burtka have twins: Gideon Scott Burtka-Harris and Harper Grace Burtka-Harris, born in October 2010 through surrogacy. The family generally maintains a private life, though they occasionally share family moments.
Coming Out and Advocacy
Harris came out as gay in 2006, a decision that received widespread support and established him as a prominent LGBTQ+ figure in Hollywood. He has since been open about his family and advocacy.
Harris and Burtka married in September 2014 in Italy, surrounded only by family and close friends. The couple had kept their engagement private for years before announcing it.
What Movies and TV Shows Has Neil Patrick Harris Starred In?
Career-Defining Television Roles
Harris began his career as Doogie Howser, later playing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014). He also starred in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and hosted numerous award shows.
Film Credits
His films include Starship Troopers, The Next Best Thing, Undercover Brother, the Harold & Kumar films (playing a fictionalized version of himself), and The Matrix Resurrections.
Did Neil Patrick Harris appear in Doctor Who?
There is no confirmed appearance. This is a persistent but unverified rumor, and as of 2025 Harris has not appeared in Doctor Who.
Was Neil Patrick Harris in Malcolm in the Middle?
Yes, he guest-starred in season 4, episode 2, titled “Malcolm Holds His Tongue.”
Did Neil Patrick Harris voice a character in Rio?
No. He did not provide a voice for either Rio or Rio 2. This confusion may stem from another project.
What was Neil Patrick Harris’s role on The Rookie?
No role has been confirmed. As of early 2025, there is no record that he appeared in The Rookie; the question may refer to a future or speculative role.
Despite online speculation, Neil Patrick Harris has never appeared in Doctor Who. The rumor appears to be unfounded.
What Book Did Neil Patrick Harris Write?
Harris authored Choose Your Own Autobiography (2012), an interactive memoir presented in a choose-your-own-adventure format. The book was a New York Times bestseller. He also wrote The Magic Misfits, a children’s book series that reflects his passion for magic and performance.
Choose Your Own Autobiography allows readers to decide the narrative path, mirroring the unpredictable nature of Harris’s career.
What Is Neil Patrick Harris’s Net Worth?
Published estimates commonly place Neil Patrick Harris’s net worth in the tens of millions of dollars. Multiple sources approximate his wealth between $50 million and $80 million, reflecting his long career in television, film, Broadway, hosting, producing, and writing. However, no authoritative public financial disclosure exists, so specific online estimates should be treated as approximations rather than verified data. His earnings have been supported by major television roles, theater work, hosting engagements, production credits, and books.
While many sources estimate Neil Patrick Harris’s net worth at $50–80 million, these figures are not officially confirmed. The lack of public financial disclosure means any specific amount remains an educated guess.
What Is the Timeline of Neil Patrick Harris’s Life and Career?
- – Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
- – Cast as Doogie Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D. (age 16).
- – Begins role as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother.
- – Publicly comes out as gay.
- – Twins Gideon and Harper born via surrogacy.
- – Receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- – Hosts the Tony Awards; publishes memoir Choose Your Own Autobiography.
- – Marries David Burtka in Italy.
- – Wins Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
- – Hosts the Tony Awards again.
What Is Confirmed and What Is Unconfirmed About Neil Patrick Harris?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Married to David Burtka since 2014 | Net worth exact figure; estimates vary |
| Two children (twins Gideon and Harper) born 2010 | Whether he appeared in Doctor Who (no confirmed appearance) |
| Came out as gay in 2006 | Whether he voiced a character in Rio (false rumor) |
| Won Tony Award and multiple Emmys | His role in The Rookie (no record as of 2025) |
| Guest-starred on Malcolm in the Middle | Future projects and exact 2026 plans |
Why Is Neil Patrick Harris’s Career Trajectory Significant?
Neil Patrick Harris is often cited as a model for navigating the transition from child stardom to a successful adult career. Similar to Kristen Bell, Harris has maintained relevance across decades. His role as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother remains a cultural touchstone and is frequently parodied. His interactive memoir Choose Your Own Autobiography reflected his creative personality and willingness to experiment with format.
As an openly gay actor, his marriage to David Burtka and family life have been widely covered, contributing to visibility for LGBTQ+ families in the public eye. His ability to move between television, film, Broadway, hosting, and writing underscores a versatile and sustained career. Occasional rumors about guest roles such as Doctor Who persist online, but they are often unconfirmed or false.
What Does Neil Patrick Harris Say About His Life and Career?
“Husband, father, random sayer of stuff.”
— Neil Patrick Harris, Facebook bio
“We are incredibly proud to be parents to these two little miracles.”
— Neil Patrick Harris on fatherhood
“I wanted to write a book that was fun, interactive, and unpredictable – just like my career.”
— Interview about Choose Your Own Autobiography
In Summary, Who Is Neil Patrick Harris?
Neil Patrick Harris is a multi-talented American performer who rose to fame as a child star on Doogie Howser, M.D., achieved iconic status as Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, and has built a diverse career in television, film, theater, and writing. He is a Tony Award-winning actor, a five-time Emmy winner, and a New York Times best-selling author. Like Andrew Scott, Harris is known for his range across genres. He lives with his husband, chef and actor David Burtka, and their twins, and remains a respected figure in entertainment and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Neil Patrick Harris’s book?
He wrote Choose Your Own Autobiography (2012), a humorous interactive memoir.
How old is Neil Patrick Harris?
He was born on June 15, 1973, making him 53 years old in 2026.
Where was Neil Patrick Harris born?
Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
What awards has Neil Patrick Harris won?
He has won five Primetime Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
Does Neil Patrick Harris have children?
Yes, he and his husband David Burtka have twins, Gideon and Harper, born in 2010 via surrogacy.
When did Neil Patrick Harris come out?
He publicly came out as gay in 2006.
Was Neil Patrick Harris in Malcolm in the Middle?
Yes, he guest-starred in the episode “Malcolm Holds His Tongue” (season 4, episode 2).
Did Neil Patrick Harris appear in Doctor Who?
No confirmed appearance; this is a persistent rumor.
Did Neil Patrick Harris voice a character in Rio?
No, this is not confirmed; he did not appear in either Rio or Rio 2.
What was Neil Patrick Harris’s role in The Rookie?
Not confirmed; no record as of early 2025.
Henry Morgan is Senior Reporter at DailyCity.co.uk, covering breaking news and general city stories across the UK.