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Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
June 15, 1973
Harris was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S., and grew up in Ruidoso, New Mexico. His parents, Sheila H. and Ron Harris, were lawyers. He has an older brother, 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.
Clara's Heart,
October 7, 1988
Harris began his career as a child actor. He starred in the film Clara's Heart, a drama with Whoopi Goldberg that won him a Golden Globe nomination.
Clara's Heart is a 1988 movie starring Kathleen Quinlan and Whoopi Goldberg. The movie tells the story of a family in crisis. The mother, Leona (Quinlan), escapes to Jamaica to grieve the loss of her baby daughter. While there she meets kindly housekeeper Clara Mayfield (played by Goldberg). Clara pulls Leona out of her depression with a blunt, no-nonsense style. Leona is so taken with her that she brings Clara back to the States, Baltimore to be exact, to be housekeeper and nanny to young son David, played by Neil Patrick Harris. At first he is resistant and sees her as an intruder. But as the parents are completely wrapped up in their own grief and dissolving marriage, David comes to trust Clara and to depend on her. Clara harbors her own dark secret, which when revealed, serves to firm the bond between these two very different, but loving, characters.
Purple People Eater
December 1, 1988
Purple People Eater, the movie, was produced in 1988 and released theatrically in December 1988 and played for years on the Disney Channel. The film stars Neil Patrick Harris, Shelley Winters, Ned Beatty, Thora Birch (who won a Youth In Film Award for her performance). The movie co-stars Dustin Diamond, Peggy Lipton, with musical guest appearances by Chubby Checker and Little Richard (who also portrays the Mayor.)
Doogie Howser, M.D.
September 19, 1989 - March 24, 1993
Doogie Howser, M.D. is a television comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris as a brilliant teenage doctor who was also faced with the problems of being a normal teenager. Created by Steven Bochco and David E. Kelley, the weekly, half-hour "dramedy" Doogie Howser, M.D. starred Neil Patrick Harris as Douglas "Doogie" Howser, a child prodigy that became youngest practicing physician in the country. The show was set in Los Angeles, California and ran for four years on ABC.
Graduated La Cueva High School
June 1, 1991
Harris 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.
Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story
January 9, 1994
Snowbound is based on a true story. Jim and Jennifer Stolpa and their infant son Clayton are 500 miles from their home in Castro Valley, California, when they lose their way and are stranded in an endless wilderness of deep snow in northern Nevada. They battle for survival against the elements when Jim Stolpa drives too far down a snow covered road and gets stuck during a snowstorm. Using only meager supplies and resourcefulness, the young couple struggles to keep themselves and their son alive in a frozen shelter while awaiting rescue. Realizing they will not be found and out of supplies, Jim ultimately strikes out on a courageous 50-mile walk through the snow alone, determined to reach help and return to save his loved ones... before they die.
Animal Room
January 1, 1995
Harris' first film role as an adult was in 1995 in the little-seen shocker Animal Room.
Arnold Mosk is an intelligent, sensitive teen with a drug problem who's herded into a class for problem students where he's terrorized by Doug Van Housen and his goons.
Starship Troopers
November 7, 1997
Starship Troopers tells the story of an interplanetary war between Earth and colonies of large insect-like aliens in the twenty-third century. It focuses on the experiences of Juan "Johnny" Rico (Casper Van Dien), one of three friends who sign up to the military one year before Earth declares war on the aliens.
Cabaret
March 19, 1998 - January 4, 2004
Harris 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.
Stark Raving Mad
September 23, 1999 - July 13, 2000
From 1999 to 2000, Harris starred with Tony Shalhoub in the sitcom Stark Raving Mad, which lasted twenty-two episodes.
Henry (Harris) is a book editor assigned the task of un-blocking horror author Ian Stark (Shalhoub). Henry is nebbish and a "germophobe"; he always has his antibacterial lotion on hand. Ian is always pulling morbid practical jokes to obstensibly learn how people would react to horrific situations.
The Next Best Thing
March 3, 2000
The film is about two best friends—one a straight woman, Abbie (Madonna), the other a gay man, Robert (Everett)—who accidentally have a child together. Five years later, Abbie falls in love with a straight man (Bratt) and wants to move away with him and Robert's little boy, Sam. A nasty, full-of-surprises custody battle ensues between Abbie and Robert.
Proof
May 23, 2000
Harris performed on Broadway beside Anne Heche in Proof.
Undercover Brother
May 31, 2002
Undercover Brother is a 2002 comedy starring Eddie Griffin and directed by Malcolm D. Lee (cousin of Spike Lee). The screenplay is by Michael McCullers and co-executive producer John Ridley (Three Kings), who created the original internet animation characters. It spoofs blaxploitation films of the 1970s as well as a number of other films, most notably the James Bond franchise. It also stars former Saturday Night Live cast member Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, comedian Dave Chappelle, Aunjanue Ellis, Neil Patrick Harris, Billy Dee Williams, and features a cameo by James Brown.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
July 30, 2004
Harris played a played a drug-crazed, lecherous parody of himself in the film Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle.
How I Met Your Mother
September 19, 2005 - Now
Harris' current role is in the CBS ensemble sitcom How I Met Your Mother, playing a serial womanizer in a performance that earned him a 2007 Emmy nomination.
Gay Relationship Surfaces
November 2, 2006
On November 2, 2006, after a report about Harris' romantic relationship with actor David Burtka surfaced on www.Canada.com, Harris' publicist issued a denial, stating that the actor "is not of that persuasion." However, a day later Harris, who had long been openly gay in his personal life and in the theater community, came out to the media in People. His statement read:
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.
The two attended the Emmy awards in September 2007 as an openly acknowledged couple for the first time, an appearance which Harris discussed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and which was reported in various media outlets. Neil and David have been together since 2004. Harris refers to Burtka as "My better half" and an "amazing chef."
Relationship with David Burtka
November 2, 2006 - Now
Harris has been in a romantic relationship with actor David Burtka. The relationship was first reported in November of 2006.
