Neil Patrick Harris born June 15, [ 1 ] 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 and five Primetime Emmy Awards , and nominations for a Grammy Award and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. Harris is also known for his role as the title character in Joss Whedon 's musical Dr.
On stage, he made his Broadway debut in the David Auburn play Proof in Harris has hosted numerous award shows including the Tony Awards in , , , and , [ 2 ] the Primetime Emmy Awards in and , and the Academy Awards in His parents were lawyers and also ran a restaurant. Harris began his career as a child actor and was discovered by playwright Mark Medoff at a drama camp in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Clara's Heart earned Harris a Golden Globe nomination. The same year, he starred in Purple People Eater , a children's fantasy.
Beginning in , Harris played the title role of a child prodigy doctor in Doogie Howser, M. After the show's four-season run ended in , Harris played a number of guest roles on television series, including Murder, She Wrote. Harris's first film role as an adult was 's Animal Room , although he portrayed a teenager. Harris has worked on Broadway in both musical and dramatic roles.
He played Tobias Ragg in the concert performances of Sweeney Todd. In , he performed beside Anne Heche in Proof. As a result of his critically acclaimed performance in Cabaret , Harris was named the top-drawing headliner in the role of the Emcee by GuestStarCasting. He also sang the role of Charles initially played by Anthony Perkins in a ABC telecast on the Nonesuch recording of Sondheim's Evening Primrose and portrayed Mark Cohen in the touring company of the musical Rent , a role he satirized on the January 10, , episode of Saturday Night Live , which he hosted.
In , Harris portrayed Jon in the London premiere of tick, tick⦠boom! He was replaced by Christian Campbell in July of that same year. The role earned him Emmy nominations every year from to In , Harris played the title role in Joss Whedon 's musical web series Dr.
