Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris first became famous as a teenager when he landed the title role in the television series Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989-1993), playing a teenage medical prodigy. The role made him one of the most recognizable young actors of the early 1990s. After the show ended, Harris went through a period of relative obscurity, taking on smaller roles and honing his craft in theater before experiencing one of the most remarkable career comebacks in television history.

Harris found renewed superstardom as Barney Stinson on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which ran from 2005 to 2014. His portrayal of the suit-wearing, catchphrase-generating womanizer became iconic, earning him four Emmy nominations. The role reestablished him as a top-tier television star and led to numerous other opportunities. He won an Emmy Award for his guest role on Glee and became one of the most in-demand hosts in entertainment.

His hosting career has been particularly distinguished. Harris hosted the Tony Awards a record five times (2009-2015), winning multiple Emmy Awards for his hosting performances. He also hosted the Academy Awards in 2015 and the Primetime Emmy Awards. On Broadway, he won the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2014, showcasing his remarkable versatility as a performer.

Harris is also a passionate magician and serves on the board of directors of the Magic Castle in Hollywood. He authored the bestselling middle-grade book series The Magic Misfits and the autobiography Choose Your Own Autobiography. He starred in the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019) as Count Olaf and appeared in the Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials (2023). He lives in Harlem, New York with his husband David Burtka and their twins, Harper and Gideon. His estimated net worth is $50 million as of 2026.