Neil Patrick Harris was born June 15, 1973 to Ron and Sheila Harris in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He has an older brother, Chris, who was born in 1970. Neil's parents were both lawyers. His mother is now a writer.

Neil took up acting in the fourth grade in his hometown of Ruidoso, New Mexico. "His brother was heading out to audition as a munchkin in a school production of The Wizard of Oz. Harris tagged along and was tagged for Dorothy's dog, Toto, 'because they needed someone small.'"

Neil was discovered at a drama summer camp in 1987 by writer Mark Medoff. Medoff had Neil audition for the part of David Hart in his film, Clara's Heart. Neil was cast, and the film was released in 1988.

After Clara's Heart, Neil took on some television projects before auditioning for the role of Dr. Douglas Howser in Doogie Howser, M.D. Neil won the part and the show was a huge success between 1989 and 1992.

After Doogie Howser, M.D. was cancelled, Neil took parts in a number of television movies and various plays.

In 1997 Neil won the role of Mark Cohen in the La Jolla production of RENT.

Since that time, Neil has played Romeo in the Old Globe production of Romeo & Juliet and has taken on roles in Starship Troopers and The Proposition.

Neil's next project is the new NBC sitcom Stark Raving Mad. Neil plays Henry McNeely, an uptight book editor who is assigned to work with a crazy Stephen King-type horror writer. The show premieres on September 23, 1999. Neil is also co-starring in The Next Best Thing with Madonna and Rupert Everett.