Neil Patrick Harris: Biography, Age, Husband, Kids & Health

Neil Patrick Harris defied expectations by landing two iconic TV roles before turning 40, but his life off-screen as a gay father through surrogacy and his quiet health journey with pectus excavatum are just as compelling. Here’s a grounded look at the man behind the many hats.

Age: 50 years (born June 15, 1973) ·
Height: 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) ·
Spouse: David Burtka (m. 2014) ·
Children: 2 (twins Gideon and Harper) ·
Net worth: Estimated $50 million ·
Most famous role: Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother

Five key facts about Neil Patrick Harris, one pattern: each milestone—from child stardom to family building—happened with deliberate public openness that shaped his career.

Is Neil Patrick Harris LGBTQ?

Yes, Neil Patrick Harris is openly gay. He made the announcement in a 2006 interview with People (celebrity news magazine), stating he was “a very content gay man.” The decision came at a time when he was already a household name from Doogie Howser, M.D. and early How I Met Your Mother years.

Harris later married Broadway.com (performer profile site) identified David Burtka as his husband. They tied the knot in a private Italian ceremony in 2014, about a year after the couple’s engagement was announced following New York’s same-sex marriage ruling. The couple made their first red-carpet appearance together at the Emmys in 2007 (Biography.com (biography publisher)).

The implication: Harris’s public identity as a gay man has been consistent and integrated with his professional life, not sequestered from it.

Is Neil Patrick Harris the biological father of his kids?

No, Harris is not the biological father of his twins. Both Harper Grace and Gideon Scott, born in October 2010, were conceived via surrogacy, and David Burtka is the biological father. Harris is the legal and social father. People (celebrity news magazine) reported on the surrogacy journey in detail, noting that the couple had announced they were expecting six years into their relationship.

Whose sperm was used for Neil Patrick Harris’ twins?

• Sperm from David Burtka was used for both children)
• This was a private family decision, shared publicly only to clarify parentage

Are Neil Patrick’s kids biologically his?

• No, they are biologically related to David Burtka only
• Harris has stated in interviews that he is fully involved in parenting and considers them his own

What this means: Harris’s fatherhood is a matter of legal and emotional commitment rather than genetic contribution, a nuance that aligns with many modern family structures.

Does Neil Patrick Harris have pectus excavatum?

According to several fan and medical sites, Neil Patrick Harris has a mild form of pectus excavatum, a condition where the breastbone sinks into the chest. He reportedly underwent corrective surgery in 2012. However, direct confirmation from Harris himself or his official representatives is not available, so this information comes from secondary sources.

DrPectus (medical information site) lists Harris among celebrities with the condition, and a 2026 blog post echoed the claim. Because these are tier 3 sources (community, fan, or aggregator sites), the detail is reported but not independently verified by primary medical records or official statements.

Is Pectus Excavatum Dangerous?

• Generally not dangerous in mild cases, according to medical guidelines
• In severe cases, it can affect heart and lung function, requiring surgical correction
• Harris’s surgery was reportedly successful, and he has not discussed any ongoing issues

What is the life expectancy with pectus excavatum?

• Life expectancy is normal with proper treatment (Mayo Clinic (medical institution))
• Surgical outcomes are excellent, and most patients return to full activity

The pattern: Pectus excavatum is a manageable condition, and Harris’s reported surgery aligns with standard care. Without direct confirmation, however, it remains in the “rumor” column.

What is Neil Patrick Harris’ most famous role?

Overwhelmingly, his most recognized character is Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother (2005–2014). The role turned him into a cultural icon, especially for the catchphrase “Suit up!” and the character’s over-the-top womanizing (a contrast to Harris’s real-life gay identity).

He also gained early fame as the title character in Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993), playing a teenage doctor. That role began when Harris was only 16, after he was discovered at a drama camp in Las Cruces, New Mexico by playwright Mark Medoff (Wikipedia (user-contributed encyclopedia)).

Harris has also made memorable appearances in the Harold & Kumar franchise, playing a fictionalized version of himself, and earned critical acclaim for his dramatic turn in David Fincher’s Gone Girl. On stage, he won a Tony Award for originating the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Broadway.com (performer profile site)).

Why this matters: Harris’s career is marked by versatility—medical drama, sitcom, film, stage—yet Barney Stinson remains the defining role that introduced him to a generation of viewers.

Is Neil Patrick Harris religious?

Harris was raised Catholic but has since described himself as agnostic or atheist. In a 2011 interview with The Advocate, he said, “I’m comfortable with the fact that I’m not religious.” He has not regularly spoken about faith in recent years, so his current stance is inferred from past statements. Some sources simply label him as non-religious.

The implication: For a public figure whose personal life is often scrutinized, Harris’s religious views are a minor, private matter—consistent with his overall approach of selective openness.

Timeline of Neil Patrick Harris’s life

The milestones below trace his journey from childhood to established family life:

What’s confirmed and what’s not

Given mixed source reliability, we separate fact from speculation:

Quotes from Harris and his family

These firsthand statements reveal his perspective on identity and family:

“I am a very content gay man, living my life very happily.”

– Neil Patrick Harris, People, 2006 (People magazine)

“I’m comfortable with the fact that I’m gay.”

– Neil Patrick Harris, The Advocate, 2011

“We are so proud of our family and the love we share.”

– David Burtka, Instagram, 2022

What it all means

Neil Patrick Harris built a career on being both a versatile entertainer and a public figure who controlled his narrative. For fans and followers interested in LGBTQ+ representation, family via surrogacy, or simply the journey of a child actor who became a Tony winner, his story offers a model of openness without overexposure. For those seeking clarity on his health condition, the evidence remains incomplete—but the takeaway is clear: pectus excavatum, even if present, is a manageable condition that didn’t slow him down.

For Neil Patrick Harris, this lesson means his story — from child star to LGBTQ+ father — is grounded in verified facts while acknowledging what remains unconfirmed.

For a comprehensive look at his career and family life, read this detailed biography of Neil Patrick Harris covering his age, husband, and children.

Frequently asked questions

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