Highest rated as cast or director
How I Met Your Mother
2005 · 9 Seasons
Gone Girl
2014
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
2008 · 1 Season
A Series of Unfortunate Events
2017 · 3 Seasons
Spider-Man: The New Animated Series
2003 · 1 Season
Biography
Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973) is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host. Primarily known for his comedic television roles and dramatic and musical stage roles, he has received multiple accolades throughout his career, including a Tony Award, five Primetime Emmy Awards, and nominations for a Grammy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. On television, he is known for playing the title character on the ABC series Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy, as well as Barney Stinson on the CBS series How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014, for which he was nominated for four Emmy Awards), and Count Olaf on the Netflix series A Series of Unfortunate Events (2017–2019). Harris is also known for his role as the title character in Joss Whedon's musical Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (2008) and a fictional version of himself in the Harold & Kumar film series (2004–2011). His other films include Starship Troopers (1997), Beastly (2011), The Smurfs (2011), The Smurfs 2 (2013), A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014), and Gone Girl (2014). In 2010, Harris won two awards at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards, winning for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his guest appearance on Glee, and Outstanding Special Class Program for hosting the Tony Awards in 2009; he has won the latter award three additional times for hosting the show in 2011, 2012, and 2013. He also hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2009 and 2013, and hosted the 87th Academy Awards in 2015, thus making him the first openly gay man to host the Academy Awards. In 2014, he starred in the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway, for which he won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Harris was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2010. He is married to David Burtka. In 2010, they had twins via surrogacy.
Acted in 116
2020s
- 2026
Rent: 30th Anniversary Concert
Movie
Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour
The Boss
- 2025
- 2024
Doctor Who at the Proms
The Toymaker (archive footage)
Dolly Parton's Pet Gala
Movie
- 2023
Doctor Who: 60th Anniversary Specials
The Toymaker (archive footage)
- 2022
- 2021
Coded: The Hidden Love of J.C. Leyendecker
J.C. Leyendecker (voice)
- 2020
2010s
- 2017
- 2014
Attack of the 50-foot Gummi Bear
Steve the Monkey (voice)
Steve's First Bath
Steve (voice)
- 2013
- 2012
A Snow White Christmas: Opening Night
The Magic Mirror
The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Blowhole
Dr. Blowhole (voice)
- 2011
Company
Robert
- 2010
The Best and the Brightest
Jeff
Dracula's Daughter vs. the Space Brains
Dan
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
The Shoe Fairy (uncredited) (archive footage)
2000s
- 2009
Yes, Virginia
Dr. Philip O'Hanlon (voice)
Beyond All Boundaries
1st Lt. David Hettema / Sgt. William Manchester
- 2008
Commentary! The Musical
Movie
Prop 8: The Musical
A Very Smart Fellow
- 2006
Me, Eloise
(voice), Philip (voice) · 1 episode
- 2005
The Christmas Blessing
Nathan Andrews
Disney Heroes Volume 1
Moyo (voice)
The Golden Blaze
The Comic Shop Owner (voice)
- 2004
Assassins
The Balladeer / Lee Harvey Oswald
- 2003
- 2002
The Mesmerist
Benjamin
- 2001
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street in Concert
Tobias
The Wedding Dress
Travis Cleveland
Summer of Camp Caprice
Jed (voice)
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
The Christmas Wish
Will Martin
The Proposition
Roger Martin
- 1997
- 1995
The Man in the Attic
Edward Broder
My Antonia
Jimmy Burden
Not Our Son
Paul Keller
Animal Room
Arnold Mosk
- 1994
Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story
Jim Stolpa
- 1993
- 1992
Capitol Critters
Max (voice) · 13 episodes
- 1991
Stranger in the Family
Steve Thompson
- 1990
1980s
- 1989
Cold Sassy Tree
Will Tweedy
B.L. Stryker
Buder · 1 episode
Home Fires Burning
Lonnie Tibbettes
- 1988
Purple People Eater
Billy Johnson
Too Good to Be True
Danny Harland
- 1984
1950s
- 1951
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Lonnie · 1 episode
Produced 11
2020s
- 2026
Jack Tucker: Comedy Standup Hour
Executive Producer
- 2024
A House Is Not a Disco
Executive Producer
- 2023
Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids
Executive Producer
- 2022
2010s
- 2019
- 2015
The Power
Executive Producer
- 2012
1950s
- 1956
Created 3
2020s
- 2023
2010s
- 2012
- 2011
Test Your Brain
Creator
Directed 2
2010s
- 2013
The Goodwin Games
Director
2000s
- 2005
Appearances76
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
- 2024
- 2023
Billion Dollar Babies: The True Story of the Cabbage Patch Kids
Narrator (voice)
- 2022
- 2020
The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration
Self
2010s
- 2019
Epcot International Festival of the Holidays – Candlelight Processional
Narrator
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits
Self - Host
72Dads
Self
66Wig
Self
- 2018
Mickey's 90th Spectacular
Self
Elton John: I'm Still Standing - A Grammy Salute
Self
Genius Junior
Host · 10 episodes
- 2017
- 2016
Neil Patrick Harris: Circus Awesomeus
Host / Himself
- 2015
In Their Own Words: Jim Henson
Self - Actor
Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris
Himself · 8 episodes
In Their Own Words
Self · 1 episode
- 2014
- 2013
Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade
Host
Stephen Fry: Out There
Self · 1 episode
Cabaret: The Musical That Changed Musicals
Narrator
- 2012
- 2011
Hamish and Andy's Gap Year
Self · 1 episode
- 2010
Through a Dog's Eyes
Narrator
A First Look at Batman: Under the Red Hood
Self
2000s
- 2009
Sesame Street: Elmo and Friends: The Letter Quest and Other Magical Tales
Self
- 2007
The Making of Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Self
- 2006
- 2005
- 2003
- 2002
Death from Above: The Making of 'Starship Troopers'
Himself
The Making of Sweeney Todd at the San Francisco Symphony
Self
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1997
- 1996
- 1993
For Our Children
Self
- 1992
This Is MST3K
Self
Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You
Self
- 1991
The Best of Disney: 50 Years of Magic
Self
1980s
- 1988
- 1985
Larry King Live
Self · 1 episode
- 1984
- 1981
1970s
- 1975
