15 Gay Actors Who Play Straight Characters
5. Neil Patrick Harris
His role in the film earned him a Golden Globe nomination. However, his most recognizable role as a teenager came a year later when he was cast in the title role on Doogie Howser, M.D.
Harris gained one Golden Globe nomination during the four year run on Doogie Howser, M.D., but he would rise to greater fame as a member of the cast on the long-running CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother.
Over the course of the nine year run for that series, Harris played the role of Barney Stinson, a serial womanizer who was famous for his “love ’em and leave ’em” approach to relationships.
In November 2006, Harris revealed to the world that he was a gay man. In his statement he proudly said that “I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love.”
Harris has been dating David Burtka since 2004, and the couple has been engaged since late 2006. Together they have two children and have been eagerly awaiting the legalization of gay marriage in New York.
