Perfomed as Mark in "Rent" at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles to rave reviews

Has sung since he was a child. His father played the folk guitar and together they entertained.

Went to the same high school as Freddie Prinze Jr..

Has performed magic tricks on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962), "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993), "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (1992), and "Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show" (2003).

Is an avid Les Miserables fan, and performed the song "The Confrontation" with his co-star Jason Segel (both of "How I Met Your Mother") live on the Megan Mullally show. He performed the role of Javert, to wild cheers from the audience.

His parents own a restaurant called Perreniel's in Albuquerue.

Both of his parents are lawyers. Neil is an amateur magician, which he once demonstrated on a Jerry Lewis telethon.

Based on his Los Angeles stage performance in the musical Rent, he was attached to play Mark Cohen in a television mini series based on the Broadway musical, with Wilson Cruz as Angel, Rikki Lee Travolta as Roger Davis, and singer Shakira as Mimi, but the rights were pulled in order for Chris Columbus to make a film adaptation using much of the original Broadway cast including Anthony Rapp in the role of Mark.

He was the "Not My Job" guest on the April 5, 2008, episode of the National Public Radio quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!".

Brought then-girlfriend Christine Taylor as his date to the Starship Troopers premiere.

Has been friends with Cody Willard, host of the FOX Business Network show "Happy Hour," since they were babies.

Was Toto in a production of The Wizard of Oz when he was about seven years old.

Loves puzzles and word games.

Dislikes wearing suits and rarely wears them when he is not portraying Barney Stinson on "How I Met Your Mother."

Loves reality television, especially "Big Brother," and game shows, especially "The Price is Right."

Typically, actors playing themselves on film are listed "as Himself" in the film`s credits. Due to the over-the-top, outlandish nature of his role in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004) and Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008), he requested that his credit read "Neil Patrick Harris" instead of "as Himself." This was to make clear that he was playing a fictional character that was in no way a true representation of himself.

He is an amateur magician and sits on the Board of Directors for The Magic Castle in Hollywood.

His parents own a restaurant called Perreniel`s in Albuquerue, NM.

His favorite movie is Rear Window (1954) by Alfred Hitchcock.

Has one older brother, Chris, an attorney.

Enjoys Red Bull so much, on and off the set of "How I Met Your Mother," that he was given a lifetime supply and a mini-refrigerator by the company.

Best friend is Amy Acker.

Stepfather to his boyfriend David Burtka`s twins.