Neil Patrick Harris started in showbusiness at the age of 14, appearing opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the film Clara’s Heart in 1988 where he received his first Golden Globe nomination. The following year, he starred in the TV series he is still very much known for, ABC’s Doogie Howser, MD, playing a teenage genius trying to live a normal life while working as a medical doctor. The series ended its run in 1993, after four seasons.

After guest appearances on other shows, Neil next appeared opposite Tony Shalhoub in the short-lived series Stark Raving Mad before once again hitting TV pay dirt as the suit-wearing womanizing cad, Barney Stinson, in How I Met Your Mother which is currently in its fifth season.

Just before being cast in How I Met Your Mother, Neil played “NPH,” a send-up of himself in 2004’s Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (which How I Met Your Mother creator Carter Bays credits as one of the factors in casting Neil in the series). He reprised the role in Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay in 2008.

In the time between playing his two most recognizable television roles, Neil appeared in a number of TV movies, guest-starred in shows like Homicide: Life on the Street and Will & Grace, and voiced a variety of animated characters. These days, Neil has also become the go-to guy for awards shows; the last 12 months alone have seen Neil host the Tonys and the Emmys, and perform the opening number at the Oscars.

Neil has also brought his triple threat self to the stage. One of his most memorable roles is that of Mark in the LA production of Jonathan Larson’s musical Rent from 1997-98. He followed this with other stage appearances including stints on Broadway in the plays Proof (2002), Cabaret (2003), and Assassins (2004). Neil revisits Rent this summer when he directs our very own Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi in a three-day run at the Hollywood Bowl, August 6-8.

And as if film, TV, and theatre weren’t enough, Neil played the title role in the Emmy-winning Internet phenomenon Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, a project conceived by Joss Whedon and family during the 2007-2008 writer’s strike. The two are reunited next month when Neil guest stars in an episode of Glee, airing May 18, with Joss as guest director.

Neil will next be seen on the big screen in July’s Beastly alongside Vanessa and Alex Pettyfer.

Harold & Kumar co-star John Cho has called Neil Patrick Harris “one of the last true entertainers” and we couldn’t agree more. He is an actor, singer, magician, host, producer, director, consummate showman, and all-around class act.