Neil Patrick Harris (born June 15, 1973)[1] is an American actor, singer, writer, producer, and television host.

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).

On stage, he made his Broadway debut in the David Auburn play Proof in 2002, after starring as Mark Cohen in the national tour of Rent.

[11] Harris began his career as a child actor and was discovered by playwright Mark Medoff at a drama camp in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

[12] Medoff later cast him in the drama film Clara's Heart (1988), starring Whoopi Goldberg and based on the novel by Joseph Olshan.

Beginning in 1989, Harris played the title role of a child prodigy doctor in Doogie Howser, M.D., for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.

After the show's four-season run ended in 1993, Harris played a number of guest roles on television series, including Murder, She Wrote.

[13] In 2004, he performed the dual role of the Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald on Broadway in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's musical Assassins.

In 2008, Harris played the title role in Joss Whedon's musical web series Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog alongside Nathan Fillion and Felicia Day.

[21] In 2010, Harris directed a production of the rock musical Rent at the Hollywood Bowl; he cast his Beastly co-star Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi.

[28] In 2011, Harris played the lead role of Bobby in Stephen Sondheim's Company with the New York Philharmonic in concert, opposite Patti LuPone and others.

Harris portrayed the titular role in the first Broadway production of the rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, from March through August 2014.

[3][39] On January 15, 2016, Netflix cast Harris in the television adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events, in which he starred as Count Olaf.

[42][43][44] In October 2020, Harris released a single-player board game named Box One,[45] produced by luxury playing card company Theory11.

[46] In January 2021, Harris starred in the British drama series It's a Sin, broadcast on Channel 4 and HBO Max, depicting the 1980s HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United Kingdom.

[49] In July 2022, Harris starred in the Netflix series Uncoupled as gay Manhattanite Michael Lawson, a realtor re-navigating the dating scene after 17 years.

In a 2008 appearance on The Howard Stern Show, he discussed how the relationship made him realize his true sexuality: "She's the coolest, nicest chick ever.

[66] Harris is a fan of magic, which was written into his characters on How I Met Your Mother, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and Glee.

[68][69] Additionally, Harris and partner David Burtka were guests of honor for a Top Chef Masters episode that took place at the Magic Castle.

In May 2022, it resurfaced on Twitter that Harris had hosted a Halloween party in October 2011 in which he served guests a meat platter designed to resemble the corpse of Amy Winehouse.

Harris and Dorff launched the collection in September 2022 and donated fifteen per cent of its proceeds to World Central Kitchen.

[77] In April 2019, Harris hosted We Day California, a charity event that celebrates students who have made a change in their community.