Neil Patrick Harris
Acting Born Jun 15, 1973 Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA 218 credits
Biography
Neil Patrick Harris, born June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. He is recognized for comedic television roles and for work on dramatic and musical stage productions. Harris earned a Tony Award and five Primetime Emmy Awards, and he has been nominated for a Grammy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. On television he portrayed the title character in the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1989 to 1993, receiving a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and later played Barney Stinson in the CBS series How I Met Your Mother from 2005 to 2014. He dated actress Christine Taylor from 1997 to 1998.
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Career overview
Neil Patrick Harris was born on June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and has built a career that spans acting, singing, writing, producing, and television hosting. He first achieved widespread recognition on television as the title character of the ABC medical drama Doogie Howser, M.D., which aired from 1989 to 1993. His performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Harris later became widely associated with the role of Barney Stinson on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, a part he inhabited from 2005 through 2014.
In addition to his television work, Harris is noted for his contributions to stage productions, where his performances have been acknowledged with a Tony Award. His television achievements have also been recognized with five Primetime Emmy Awards, and he has received nominations for a Grammy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Throughout his career, Harris has been described as primarily known for comedic television roles as well as dramatic and musical stage roles, reflecting a versatile presence across multiple entertainment mediums.
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Frequent co-stars
Kal Penn
3 shared titles
Clancy Brown
3 shared titles
Eddie Kaye Thomas
3 shared titles
John Cho
3 shared titles
Michael Clarke Duncan
2 shared titles
Lauren Graham
2 shared titles
Alyson Hannigan
2 shared titles
Cobie Smulders
2 shared titles
Jeff Bennett
2 shared titles
John DiMaggio
2 shared titles
Career timeline
Sunny DancerThe Last Temptation of BeckyThe Last Temptation of Becky · Executive ProducerJack Tucker: Comedy Standup HourJack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour · Executive Producer
Dexter: ResurrectionWhat's in the Box?
Doctor Who at the PromsGroup TherapyDolly Parton's Pet Gala
Drag Me to DinnerDrag Me to Dinner · Executive ProducerDrag Me to Dinner · CreatorDoctor Who: 60th Anniversary SpecialsBillion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids
How I Met Your FatherUncoupledUncoupled · Executive ProducerThe Unbearable Weight of Massive TalentElton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium
The Matrix ResurrectionsIt's a Sin8-Bit ChristmasCoded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker
Home Movie: The Princess BrideGet Organized with The Home EditVisible: Out on TelevisionFraggle Rock: Rock On!The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
The Kelly Clarkson ShowToday with Jenna & SheinelleRevolution Rent · Executive ProducerDadsWig
Mickey’s 90th SpectacularElton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy SaluteGenius Junior
A Series of Unfortunate EventsCarpool Karaoke: The SeriesDownsizingAt Home with Amy SedarisMystery Science Theater 3000
Neil Patrick Harris: Circus Awesomeus
Hot OnesCelebrity Family FeudIn Their Own WordsBest Time Ever with Neil Patrick HarrisIn Their Own Words: Jim Henson
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonLate Night with Seth MeyersLate Night with Seth MeyersGone GirlOff Camera with Sam Jones
Beat Bobby FlayCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2The Smurfs 2The Goodwin Games · DirectorThe Out List
Finding Your RootsAmerican ReunionNeil's Puppet DreamsNeil's Puppet Dreams · Executive ProducerNeil's Puppet Dreams · Creator
American Horror StoryBilly on the StreetThe SmurfsThe MuppetsBrain Games
ConanAdventure TimeThe TalkTake Two with Phineas and FerbCats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore
Watch What Happens Live with Andy CohenRuPaul's Drag RaceGleeLate Night with Jimmy FallonCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
The Penguins of MadagascarBatman: The Brave and the BoldDr. Horrible's Sing-Along BlogHarold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo BayJustice League: The New Frontier
The Graham Norton ShowEloise Goes to SchoolThe Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Rachael RayThe Megan Mullally ShowMe, EloiseMe, EloiseChild Star Confidential
The Late Late Show with Craig FergusonThe Colbert ReportHow I Met Your MotherHow I Met Your Mother · DirectorNumb3rs
The Tony Danza ShowJack & BobbyHarold & Kumar Go to White CastleAssassins
Jimmy Kimmel Live!The Ellen DeGeneres ShowPunk'dSpider-Man: The New Animated SeriesSpike TV VGA Video Game Awards
BoomtownUndercover BrotherThe MesmeristDeath from Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers'The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony
Law & Order: Criminal IntentThe Legend of TarzanJustice LeagueThe Wedding DressSummer of Camp Caprice
Big BrotherStatic ShockEdSon of the BeachThe Next Best Thing
Family GuyThe Early ShowStark Raving MadJoan of Arc
Will & GraceThe PropositionThe Christmas Wish
The ViewThe ViewStarship Troopers
Full Filmography
218 titles- Sunny Dancer (2026) as Patrick
- The Last Temptation of Becky (2026) as General Wilhelm Reuss
- The Last Temptation of Becky (2026) Executive Producer
- Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour (2026) as The Boss
- Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour (2026) Executive Producer
- I Changed My Mind with Dan Souza (2026) as Self - Guest
- Dexter: Resurrection (2025) as Lowell / The Tattoo Collector
- What's in the Box? (2025) as Self - Host
- Doctor Who at the Proms (2024) as The Toymaker (archive footage)
- Group Therapy (2024) as Self - Moderator
- Dolly Parton's Pet Gala (2024)
- Drag Me to Dinner (2023) as Self - Judge
- Drag Me to Dinner (2023) Executive Producer
- Drag Me to Dinner (2023) Creator
- Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials (2023) as The Toymaker (archive footage)
- Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids (2023) as Narrator (voice)
- Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids (2023) Executive Producer
- How I Met Your Father (2022) as Barney Stinson
- Uncoupled (2022) as Michael Lawson
- Uncoupled (2022) Executive Producer
- The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022) as Richard Fink
- Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium (2022) as Self
- The Matrix Resurrections (2021) as The Analyst
- It's a Sin (2021) as Henry Coltrane
- 8-Bit Christmas (2021) as Adult Jake Doyle / Narrator
- Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker (2021) as J.C. Leyendecker (voice)
- Home Movie: The Princess Bride (2020) as Westley
- Get Organized with The Home Edit (2020)
- Visible: Out on Television (2020) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Fraggle Rock: Rock On! (2020) as Self
- The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- Today with Jenna & Sheinelle (2019) as Self - Guest
- Revolution Rent (2019) Executive Producer
- Dads (2019) as Self
- Wig (2019) as Self
- Wig (2019) Producer
- Still Laugh-In: The Stars Celebrate (2019) as Self
- Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional (2019) as Narrator
- Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits (2019) as Self - Host
- Mickey’s 90th Spectacular (2018) as Self
- Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute (2018) as Self
- Genius Junior (2018) as Host
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017) as Count Olaf
- Carpool Karaoke: The Series (2017) as Self
- Downsizing (2017) as Jeff Lonowski
- At Home with Amy Sedaris (2017) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2017) as Neville LaRoy
- The Words That Built America (2017) as Self - Reader: Declaration of Independence
- Neil Patrick Harris: Circus Awesomeus (2016) as Host / Himself
- Hot Ones (2015) as Self
- Celebrity Family Feud (2015) as Self
- In Their Own Words (2015) as Self
- Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris (2015) as Himself
- In Their Own Words: Jim Henson (2015) as Self - Actor
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Gone Girl (2014) as Desi Collings
- Off Camera with Sam Jones (2014) as Self
- A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014) as Foy
- Steve's First Bath (2014) as Steve (voice)
- Attack of the 50-foot Gummi Bear (2014) as Steve the Monkey (voice)
- Beat Bobby Flay (2013) as Self
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (2013) as Steve (voice)
- The Smurfs 2 (2013) as Patrick Winslow
- The Goodwin Games (2013) Director
- The Out List (2013) as Himself
- Stephen Fry: Out There (2013) as Self
- Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals (2013) as Narrator
- Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade (2013) as Host
- Finding Your Roots (2012) as Self
- American Reunion (2012) as Celebrity Dance-Off Host
- Neil's Puppet Dreams (2012) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Neil's Puppet Dreams (2012) Executive Producer
- Neil's Puppet Dreams (2012) Creator
- Robot Chicken: DC Comics Special (2012) as Two-Face / Black Manta (voice)
- The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Blowhole (2012) as Dr. Blowhole (voice)
- A Snow White Christmas: Opening Night (2012) as The Magic Mirror
- American Horror Story (2011) as Chester Creb
- Billy on the Street (2011) as Self
- The Smurfs (2011) as Patrick Winslow
- The Muppets (2011) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Brain Games (2011) as Himself - Host
- Beastly (2011) as Will Fratalli
- A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas (2011) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Hamish and Andy's Gap Year (2011) as Self
- Company (2011) as Robert
- Test Your Brain (2011) Creator
- Conan (2010) as Self
- Adventure Time (2010) as Prince Gumball (voice)
- The Talk (2010) as Self
- Take Two with Phineas and Ferb (2010) as Self
- Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010) as Lou (voice)
- Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) as Nightwing (voice)
- Through a Dog's Eyes (2010) as Narrator
- The Best and the Brightest (2010) as Jeff
- Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days (2010) as The Shoe Fairy (uncredited) (archive footage)
- Dracula's Daughter vs. the Space Brains (2010) as Dan
- A First Look at Batman: Under the Red Hood (2010) as Self
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- RuPaul's Drag Race (2009) as Self - Guest Judge
- Glee (2009) as Bryan Ryan
- Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009) as Self
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009) as Steve (voice)
- Top Chef Masters (2009) as Himself - Guest Judge
- Yes, Virginia (2009) as Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (voice)
- Beyond All Boundaries (2009) as 1st Lt. David Hettema / Sgt. William Manchester
- Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales (2009) as Self
- The Penguins of Madagascar (2008) as Dr. Blowhole (voice)
- Batman: The Brave and the Bold (2008) as Music Meister (voice)
- Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008) as Dr. Horrible
- Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Justice League: The New Frontier (2008) as Barry Allen / The Flash (voice)
- Million Dollar Password (2008)
- Commentary! The Musical (2008)
- Prop 8: The Musical (2008) as A Very Smart Fellow
- The Graham Norton Show (2007) as Self
- Eloise Goes to School (2007)
- The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2007) as Self
- Rachael Ray (2006)
- The Megan Mullally Show (2006) as Self - Guest
- Me, Eloise (2006) as (voice)
- Me, Eloise (2006) as Philip (voice)
- Child Star Confidential (2006) as Self (archive footage)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (2005) as Self
- The Colbert Report (2005)
- How I Met Your Mother (2005) as Barney Stinson
- How I Met Your Mother (2005) Director
- Numb3rs (2005) as Ethan Burdick
- Robot Chicken (2005) as Executive / Harvey Dent / Two-Face / Three-Face / Four-Face (voice)
- The Reichen Show (2005) as Self - Guest
- Serenity (2005) as Screaming Reaver (uncredited)
- Disney Heroes Volume 1 (2005) as Moyo (voice)
- The Christmas Blessing (2005) as Nathan Andrews
- The Golden Blaze (2005) as The Comic Shop Owner (voice)
- The Tony Danza Show (2004) as Self - Guest
- Jack & Bobby (2004)
- Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) as Neil Patrick Harris
- Assassins (2004) as The Balladeer / Lee Harvey Oswald
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) as Self
- Punk'd (2003) as Self
- Spider-Man: The New Animated Series (2003) as Peter Parker / Spider-Man (voice)
- Spike TV VGA Video Game Awards (2003)
- Boomtown (2002) as Peter Corman
- Undercover Brother (2002) as Lance
- The Mesmerist (2002) as Benjamin
- Death from Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers' (2002) as Himself
- The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony (2002) as Self
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as John Tagman
- The Legend of Tarzan (2001) as Moyo (voice)
- Justice League (2001) as Ray Thompson (voice)
- The Wedding Dress (2001) as Travis Cleveland
- Summer of Camp Caprice (2001) as Jed (voice)
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert (2001) as Tobias
- Big Brother (2000) as Self - Celebrity Guest
- Static Shock (2000) as Replay / Johnny Morrow (voice)
- Ed (2000) as Joe Baxter
- Son of the Beach (2000)
- The Next Best Thing (2000) as David
- Family Guy (1999) as Barney Stinson (voice)
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- Stark Raving Mad (1999) as Henry McNeeley
- Joan of Arc (1999) as The Dauphin
- Will & Grace (1998) as Bill
- The Proposition (1998) as Roger Martin
- The Christmas Wish (1998) as Will Martin
- The View (1997) as Self - Guest
- The View (1997) as Self
- Starship Troopers (1997) as Colonel Carl Jenkins
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- The Outer Limits (1995) as Howie Morrison
- The Man in the Attic (1995) as Edward Broder
- Animal Room (1995) as Arnold Mosk
- Not Our Son (1995) as Paul Keller
- My Antonia (1995) as Jimmy Burden
- Legacy of Sin: The William Coit Story (1995) as William Coit
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Jonas
- Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story (1994) as Jim Stolpa
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Top Ten Presenter
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) as Alan Schack
- Sudden Fury (1993) as Brian Hannigan
- For Our Children (1993) as Self
- Capitol Critters (1992) as Max (voice)
- This Is MST3K (1992) as Self
- Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You (1992) as Self
- Hot Country Nights (1991)
- Stranger in the Family (1991) as Steve Thompson
- The Best of Disney: 50 Years of Magic (1991) as Self
- Blossom (1990)
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers (1990) as Todd Andrews
- The Earth Day Special (1990) as Doogie Howser
- The Simpsons (1989) as Neil Patrick Harris (voice)
- Quantum Leap (1989) as Mike Hammond
- Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989) as Doogie Howser
- B.L. Stryker (1989) as Buder
- Home Fires Burning (1989) as Lonnie Tibbettes
- Cold Sassy Tree (1989) as Will Tweedy
- LIVE with Kelly and Mark (1988) as Self - Guest
- Purple People Eater (1988) as Billy Johnson
- Too Good to Be True (1988) as Danny Harland
- Clara's Heart (1988) as David Hart
- Larry King Live (1985) as Self
- Jeopardy! (1984) as Self
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Tommy Remsen
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- Entertainment Tonight (1981)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Sesame Street (1969)
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Host
- Tony Awards (1956) Producer
- The Oscars (1953) as Host
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Lonnie
- Aaron & Sara Director
- How I Met The Robin as Barney Stinson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Neil Patrick Harris best known for?
Neil Patrick Harris is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Sunny Dancer (2026), Dexter: Resurrection (2025), How I Met Your Father (2022), The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022).
When and where was Neil Patrick Harris born?
Neil Patrick Harris was born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA.
How many credits does Neil Patrick Harris have?
Neil Patrick Harris has accumulated over 218 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2026.
What is Neil Patrick Harris's background in cinema and television?
Neil Patrick Harris, born June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. He is recognized for comedic television roles and for work on dramatic and musical stage productions. Harris earned a Tony Award and five Primetime Emmy Awards, and he has been nomin...