Fabulous facts about ‘How I met your mother’ star Neil Patrick Harris

Updated on July 21, 2022 11:30 AM by Emma Alice

Neil Patrick Harris had a long successful career from the 80s until now, from film to television. Many do not know that he is also considered a successful voice actor. The versatile actor who took up both dramatic and comedic roles rose to stardom with an everlasting career and as an accomplished stage actor.

First gay man to host the show:

The multi-talented actor Neil Patrick Harris won the privilege to host the 87th Academy Awards in 2015, being the first openly gay man. He has become a person of note, and that will not change anytime sooner or later.

Neil Patrick Harris's life:

Neil Patrick Harris, a successful writer, producer, comedian, and singer, was born on June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to parents of advocates who ran a restaurant. He attended La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, graduating with high honors in 1991.

His first movie at the age of 3:

Neil Patrick Harris was introduced as a child artist at 3, who played Toto in a school production of "The Wizard of Oz." He started his acting career at age 15, as he was discovered by Mark Medoff, who picked him up at the drama camp. He took up the stage name as his full name because there was already another actor by the same name.

Won Golden Globe award at a tender age:

Neil Patrick Harris grabbed a role in a movie based on the adaptation of the novel "Clara's Heart" alongside Whoopi Goldberg. Due to his talent, at a tender age, he was nominated for a Golden Globe at the age of 15.

He earned colossal success by taking up the lead role in "Doogie Howser," M.D. He wasn't finalized cast for the role, but the show's executives weren't happy with the casting of choice, but the producer was confirmed to launch Neil Patrick Harris. His first role as an adult was in 1995's "Animal Room," where he played a part of a teenager. He had been on Broadway in both musical and dramatic roles, but his first ever on-stage performance was in 2001 in a concert performance of Sweeney Todd.

Neil Patrick Harris confirmed his sexuality:

On November 4, 2006, Neil Patrick Harris publicly announced, saying he was happy to decipher the rumors or misconception, and he was pretty proud to say that he was a content gay man who is living his life to the fullest and feels most fortunate working with wonderful people in the business that he loves.

Reconfirming his sexuality to the public:

Neil Patrick Harris dated actress Christine Taylor for a year. He explained how the relationship let him recognize his true sexuality in a 2008 appearance on “The Howard Stern Show”, calling her the most incredible, the loveliest girl he had ever met. He does not feel any amazing sparks with her as he is probably gay.

Neil Patrick Harris family life:

Neil Patrick Harris married his partner David Burtka in 2014 in Italy, and ever since, the couple has been living together. He and his partner welcomed twins via surrogacy. The twins were born in October 2010 and named their son Gideon Scott and daughter Harper Grace. Elton John became his best friend as they were expecting their baby.

In a 2008 interview, Neil Patrick Harris confessed that he had undergone an otoplasty surgery as he was very self-conscious about how his ears were sticking out, so the surgery was done to pin his ears back.

"How I met your mother" brought fame:

Neil Patrick Harris is famous for his roles as Barney Stinson in the popular CBS sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” and as the iconic and beloved Doogie Howser, M.D. Being the biggest name in the show "How I Met Your Mother" he made $210,000 for an episode, twice as much as any other cast member. The suits are worn by Neil Patrick Harris on the show “How I Met Your Mother” were tailored to perfection for the actor, and once the series finally ended, he took a few suits for his personal use.

Red Bull gave a lifetime free supply:

Neil Patrick Harris was captivated with Red Bull and would always be seen drinking it on the sets of “How I Met Your Mother”. He drank so many supplies that Red Bull gave him a lifetime supply and a mini-fridge to promote the brand. He drinks Red Bull to calm his nerves, followed by a set of deep-breathing exercises to cool himself down as the drink helps him pump back his entire life.

Role of a voice actor:

Neil Patrick Harris gave the voice for Nightwing in the animated movie “Batman: Under the Red Hood.” He also provided voice acting work for films such as “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore”, “The Smurfs”, “The Smurfs 2”, “Justice League: The New Frontier”, “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”, and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2”. And his television series as a voice actor include “The Legend of Tarzan”, “Justice League, Spider-Man: The New Animated Series”, “Family Guy”, “Batman: The Brave and the Bold”, “Robot Chicken”, and “The Penguins of Madagascar.”

Neil Patrick Harris as a magician:

He is an amateur magician, and many of his characters are magicians providing Neil Patrick Harris a chance to show off his magic skills. In 2008, he hosted the World Magic Awards. Neil Patrick Harris is also involved in the video game industry, having worked on various games as a voice actor. These games include Saints Row 2, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions (as Spider-Man), and Saints Row IV. He also hosted the Spike Video Game Awards in 2010.

Neil Patrick Harris endorsement deal:

Neil Patrick Harris endorsement deals were highly profitable, starting from American Airlines to Heineken Light, and other brands on the line include Old Spice, Axe Apollo, and Neuro Sleep. His appearance in 2014, American Airlines deal had him "Glory Days of Flying" campaign. He was featured alongside Grace Kelly, Julianna Margulies, and Gregory Peck as the carrier's most glamorous actors from the past and present, according to The New York Times.

Endorsement money went undisclosed:

The same year Neil Patrick Harris worked with Heineken to endorse its Heineken Light Beer via a series of commercials as he was tapped for an 18-month deal with the company, which didn't disclose how much money it paid the actor. He did a bunch of spots for the brand, including one 2017 ad where he, as stated in a press release, "attempts to hypnotize viewers" into trying the light version of the beer.

In an ad for Old Spice, Neil Patrick Harris presents himself as a "Former make-believe doctor" while wearing a physician's lab coat. It's just one of many times the former child actor has poked fun at his early success.

Awards and recognition:

In 2010, Neil Patrick Harris was listed as one of the most Influential People on Time Magazine 100 and hosted the Tony Awards four times in a row; by doing so, he earned himself three Emmy Awards. He appeared as a guest invitee on the American Idol show.

Books penned by him

Neil Patrick Harris had written and published a memoir called "Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Autobiography," formatted like how he chose your adventure style book. And this topped the list on The New York Times best-seller list for two weeks. In addition, Neil Patrick has published a young adult novel called "The Magic Misfits," the first of a four-book series.

Neil Patrick Harris's net worth

And now, Neil Patrick Harris is recorded to have a net worth of $50 million. In 2013, Neil Patrick Harris and David paid $3.6 million for an 8,000-square-foot townhome in Harlem. After performing a significant renovation and living in the property for several years, the couple listed this home for sale in August 2021 for $7.3 million. They sold it in May 2022 for $7.1 million. Previously they owned a home in Sherman Oaks, California, which was sold in 2014 for $3 million, and in 2017, both paid $5.5 million for a 13.5-acre property in East Hampton, NY.