Neil Patrick Harris

Long before becoming an A-list Hollywood star, Neil Patrick Harris had begun acting in his school productions. He first participated in a grade school production of "The Wizard of Oz", playing as Toto. In 1988, he earned his first Golden Globe nomination for the category of Best Supporting Actor, thanks to his portrayal of David Hart in "Clara's Heart" which also starred Whoopi Goldberg. A year later, he nabbed the leading role on TV series "Doogie Howser, M.D." and immediately became a new high rising star. The show that lasted until 1993 brought him Favorite Male Performer in a New TV Series People's Choice Award and Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in TV Series category.

In the several years ahead, Harris starred in some other TV series while also acted in the big screen flicks "Starship Troopers" (1997), "The Proposition" (1998), "The Next Best Thing" (2000), and "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004). He, additionally, also performed in Broadway productions of "Rent" (1997), "Proof" (2002), "Cabaret" (2003), and "Assassins" (2004). His other critically acclaimed performances were in TV movies "My Antonia" (1995), "Joan of Arc" (1999), and "The Christmas Blessing" (2005).

After all, Harris became internationally famous for starring on CBS' sitcom "How I Met Your Mother" as Barney Stinson, which earned him Emmy nominations every year from 2007 to 2010. Enjoying great success in acting, Harris was also entrusted to host the prestigious Tony Awards in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2013, for which he won several Emmy Awards. In 2014, he won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical category for portraying the title character of Hedwig in rock musical "Hedwig and the Angry Inch".

Harris, who was born on June 15, 1973, confirmed to People magazine in 2006, "I am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man." He and longtime partner, actor David Burtka, became parents to twins; son Gideon Scott and daughter Harper Grace on October 12, 2010. The same sex couple wed on September 6, 2014.