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Neil Patrick Harris

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Neil Patrick Harris
Neil Patrick Harris, 2008
OccupationActor/Performer
Years active1979–present
Partner(s)David Burtka
(2004–present)[1]

Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor. Prominent roles of his career include the title role in Doogie Howser, M.D., the womanizing Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, a fictionalized version of himself in the Harold & Kumar series, and the title role in Joss Whedon's Emmy Award-winning musical web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. He also hosted the 63rd Tony Awards on June 7, 2009,[2] and the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2009.

Early life

Harris was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His parents, Sheila and Ron, ran a restaurant.[3] He has an older brother named Brian, and it was by following his brother to an audition in fourth grade that he first began acting—as Toto in a school production of The Wizard of Oz. He attended La Cueva High School in Albuquerque and was active in school plays and musicals there. Harris was an honors student and graduated with honors in 1991. He was three years ahead of fellow La Cueva student, Freddie Prinze, Jr.[4]

Career

Harris at the 2008 Comic Con in San Diego, California.

Harris began his career as a child actor, and was discovered by playwright Mark Medoff at a Drama Camp in Las Cruces, New Mexico.[5] Medoff cast him in his 1988 film Clara's Heart, a drama with Whoopi Goldberg based on the novel (of the same name) by Joseph Olshan, that won him a Golden Globe nomination. In 1988, he also starred in Purple People Eater, a children's fantasy. The following year, he won the lead in Doogie Howser, M.D., for which he was again nominated for a Golden Globe. After Doogie Howser's four-season run ended in 1993, Harris played a number of guest roles on television series, before taking his first film role as an adult in 1995 in the little-seen shocker Animal Room. Since then, his film work has included supporting roles in The Next Best Thing, Undercover Brother and Starship Troopers. In the Harold and Kumar stoner comedy films, (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay) he plays a drug-crazed, lecherous version of himself.

From 1999 to 2000, Harris starred with Tony Shalhoub in the sitcom Stark Raving Mad, which lasted 22 episodes. He has taken lead roles in a number of made-for-television features, including Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story in 1994, My Ántonia in 1995, A Christmas Wish in 1998, Joan of Arc in 1999, The Wedding Dress in 2001, and The Christmas Blessing in 2005, as well as series guest roles.

Harris has worked on Broadway in both musical and dramatic roles. He played Tobias Ragg in 2001 concert performances of Sweeney Todd. In 2002, he performed on Broadway beside Anne Heche in Proof. In 2003, he took the role of the Emcee in Cabaret, alongside Deborah Gibson and Tom Bosley. As a result of his critically acclaimed performance in Cabaret, Harris was named the top-drawing headliner in the role of the Emcee by GuestStarCasting.com, topping fellow celeb stars John Stamos and Alan Cumming.[6]

In 2004, he performed a dual role of the Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald on Broadway in the controversial musical revival of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins. He also sang the role of Charles (first played by Anthony Perkins) on the Nonesuch recording of Sondheim's Evening Primrose. He has also portrayed Mark Cohen in the touring company of the musical RENT, a character who he mockingly reprised on the January 10, 2009, episode of Saturday Night Live, which he hosted. Since fall of 2005 Harris has played Barney Stinson, a serial womanizer reminiscent of his Harold and Kumar role, in the CBS ensemble sitcom How I Met Your Mother. The Stinson role earned him 2007, 2008 and 2009 Emmy nominations (for best supporting male actor in a comedy series).

In 2007, Harris worked with Mike Nelson on an audio commentary for RiffTrax. The two riffed on the film Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory. Harris is a big fan of the cult TV series Nelson worked on, Mystery Science Theater 3000, and was interviewed for a 1992 Comedy Central special hosted by Penn Jillette, who did voiceovers for Comedy Central's programming at that time, about the series and its fans, This Is MST3K.[7] In 2008 Harris took the title role in Joss Whedon's musical web series, Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog, alongside Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day. The first episode of the series debuted July 15, 2008.[8] In 2008 Harris also guest-starred on Sesame Street as the Sesame Street Fairy Shoe Person.[9] [10][11][12]

On April 26, 2009, Harris hosted the 7th Annual TV Land Awards.


After a highly successful preview at the San Diego Comic-Con, a musical episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, featuring Harris as the villainous Music Meister, premiered on October 23, 2009, on Cartoon Network. As a character who could make anyone do his bidding by singing, he spent most of the episode singing several original songs.[13]

Harris stars in the upcoming movie Beastly,[14] alongside Alex Pettyfer and Vanessa Hudgens. He plays a blind tutor named Will at the school. The movie is set for release on July 30, 2010.[15]

He also plays the lead in the upcoming indie comedy The Best and the Brightest as a carefree father who uproots his family from Delaware to move to New York City's Upper East Side.[16]

Harris appeared as a guest judge on Season 9 of American Idol in August 2009 auditions taped in Dallas, Texas.[17]

Personal life

In November 2006, after a report about Harris' romantic relationship with actor David Burtka surfaced online, Harris came out publicly in People magazine.[18][19] He had been openly gay in his personal life and in the theater community, but stated, "The public eye has always been kind to me, and until recently I have been able to live a pretty normal life. Now it seems there is speculation and interest in my private life and relationships. So, 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."

Harris and Burtka attended the Emmy awards in September 2007 as an openly acknowledged gay couple for the first time, an appearance which Harris discussed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and which was reported in various media outlets.[20][21] Neil and David have been together since April 2004.[22] Harris has referred to Burtka as "My better half," and an "amazing chef".[23]

Harris is a fan of magic, and is a magician himself like his character on How I Met Your Mother. He serves on the Board of Directors of Hollywood's Magic Castle.[24] Harris won the Tannen's Magic Louis Award in 2006 and hosted the 2008 World Magic Awards on October 11, 2008. Additionally, Harris was the celebrity guest of honor for Top Chef Masters, which took place at the Magic Castle, and included Burtka as a fellow guest.

Acting credits

Television:
Film:
Theater:

Voice acting credits

Animation:
Video games:
Audio books:

Awards and nominations

Year Group Award Result Notes
1989 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama Nominated Clara's Heart
Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture Nominated
1990 Young Artist Awards Best Young Actor Starring in a Television Series Won Doogie Howser, M.D.
1991 Won
1992 Won
Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical Nominated
2007 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV Actor: Comedy Won How I Met Your Mother
Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2008 People's Choice Awards Favorite Scene Stealing Star Nominated
Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
2009 Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated
Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated
Streamy Awards Best Male Actor in a Comedy Web Series Won Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Bravo A-List Awards A-List Male Actor Won How I Met Your Mother
2010 Golden Globe Award Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated How I Met Your Mother

References

  1. ^ Neil Patrick Harris' crush: CNN's Anderson Cooper Chicago Tribune; 6 August 2008.
  2. ^ "NeilPatrick Harris Lands Hopping to Emmys". Daily Variety. Retrieved 2009-07-04.
  3. ^ Keveney, Bill (2009-09-13). "Host Neil Patrick Harris gives Emmys a bit of awesomeness". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-09-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ Ramone Johnson. "Neil Patrick Harris". straight Life. About.com. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  5. ^ "Anytime with Bob Kushell feat. Neil Patrick Harris". Anytime with Bob Kushell. Season 1. Episode 3. 2009-01-01.
  6. ^ Preston Scott Reed (September 2, 2005). "Neil Patrick Harris and John Stamos Lead Emcee Rankings". Dime-Co. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  7. ^ "Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory". RiffTrax. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  8. ^ "Joss Whedon Interview: The Web Has Been Wonderful For "Horrible"". Tubefilter. 2008-07-15. Retrieved 2008-07-15.
  9. ^ Michael Jensen (2008-07-21). "TCA Weekend Update: Neil Patrick Harris, "The Starter Wife" and more!". Retrieved 2009-11-28.
  10. ^ "Sesame Street Enters 39th Season". Sesame Workshop. Retrieved 31 10 2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Youtube videos of NPH as the "Shoe Fairy" and also backstage w/Elmo
  11. ^ Mark Graham (23 July 2008). "NPH Sweeps The Clouds Away As The Shoe Fairy On 'Sesame Street'". Defamer. Retrieved 2007-09-05.
  12. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDaszN9ByxM
  13. ^ http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/10/23/neil-patrick-harris-is-on-batman-tonight-and-he-sings/
  14. ^ "Neil Patrick Harris to be in Beastly". Comingsoon.net. 2009-06-08. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  15. ^ Beastly Title Treatment and New Photo
  16. ^ "Neil Patrick Harris Lands Two Film Roles". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2009-06-08.
  17. ^ Denise Martin (2009-08-25). "Neil Patrick Harris signs on to guest judge 'American Idol'". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  18. ^ "O.C. stars hit T.O." ([dead link] – Scholar search), Canada.com, October 23, 2006, retrieved 2008-03-24 {{citation}}: External link in |format= (help)
  19. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Neil Patrick Harris Tells PEOPLE He Is Gay", People, November 3, 2006, retrieved 2008-03-24
  20. ^ "Watch: Neil Patrick Harris Tells Ellen About Going To The Emmys Since Coming Out", The Huffington Post, September 13, 2007, retrieved 2008-03-24
  21. ^ "Neil Patrick Harris Steps Out" ([dead link] – Scholar search), Queerty.com, September 17, 2007, retrieved 2008-03-24 {{citation}}: External link in |format= (help)
  22. ^ Furlong (2008-11-26). ""15 Questions with Neil Patrick Harris"". AOL. Retrieved 2009-09-19. {{cite web}}: More than one of |author= and |last= specified (help)
  23. ^ Us Weekly magazine, February 18, 2008.
  24. ^ The Academy of Magical Arts Board of Directors and Board of Trustees, retrieved 2008-05-21
  25. ^ "SNL Neil Patrick Harris". Snl.jt.org. 2009-01-10. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  26. ^ [1]
  27. ^ "Muppet Wiki". Retrieved 2009-10-25.
  28. ^ "Stranger in the Family". www.imdb.com. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  29. ^ http://community.livejournal.com/freakonforrecon/7072.html
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