Neil Patrick Harris Celebrates a Globe-Trotting Birthday
Emmy winner looks back on trips from London to Fiji and hints at exciting ventures to come
Image: Instagram
Instagram Shout-out
Neil Patrick Harris kicked off another year of life with an exuberant Instagram post on June 15, sharing a warm snapshot of himself in front of a candlelit birthday cake. Bathed in golden light from the flickering candles, he wears a relaxed navy tee, a playful deck-of-cards prop resting nearby—an on-point nod to his quip, “I’m as old as a deck of cards.” In the caption, the Emmy winner wrote: “Another birthday! Huzzah! My last year was full of travel and adventure: London, Fiji, Croatia, Greece, Scotland, even Africa..! I’m so grateful, and very much looking forward to this next twelve months. Lots is happening, can’t wait to share. Life is full. Look at me. I’m as old as a deck of cards… ❤️🎂🃏🎂❤️” Thousands of fans and fellow celebrities flooded the comments with birthday wishes and celebratory emojis, celebrating another milestone for the actor.
Globe-trotting Highlights
Over the past twelve months, Harris has crisscrossed continents, treating followers to a virtual travel diary. In London, he explored the West End theatre scene and dined at classic British pubs; in Fiji, he soaked up sun and snorkeled alongside coral reefs. Photos from Croatia and Greece captured him wandering seaside fortresses and sampling local cuisines—fresh ceviche on the Dalmatian coast and midnight gelato under Athenian stars. He then trekked through the misty highlands of Scotland, sharing shots from Loch Lomond; later, he ventured on safari across Africa’s savannas, marveling at elephants and lions in their natural habitat. Earlier this spring, Harris posted highlights from his “first trip to Lisbon,” writing, “A beautiful city, filled with beautiful people. Our digs at the Bairro Alto Hotel were crazy impressive, as was the stellar view from their rooftop.” Through these updates, Harris showcases his passion for world cultures, architecture and nature’s wonders.
Sunny Dancer Sneak Peek
Beyond travel, Harris has been firmly grounded on set. This May, he wrapped production on Sunny Dancer—an upcoming feature directed by George Jacques and starring Game of Thrones alum Bella Ramsey. In a behind-the-scenes photo, he shared: “I’ve just wrapped up a wonderful few weeks on this movie by the brilliant George Jacques and am very proud of what it’s shaping up to be.” Another image showed him in character as Patrick, captioned, “I’m over in the UK having the most amazing time with Bella Ramsey and an incredible young cast on Sunny Dancer. Produced by Ken27ten. Give the film a follow, and I can’t wait to show you more of this gem once I’m allowed.” The film’s sun-drenched setting and dance-centric storyline mark a fresh departure in Harris’s diverse filmography.
Career And Family Support
Born June 15, 1973, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harris rose to fame at age 16 as the prodigious Dr. Doogie Howser. He went on to play the womanizing Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, a performance that earned him six Emmy nominations. He won a 2010 Emmy for his guest turn on Glee and has hosted the Tony Awards six times, as well as presenting segments at the Oscars. Harris has also dazzled on Broadway—as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a role that garnered him a Tony nomination—and earned acclaim as a director of episodic television.
Off-camera, Harris credits his family for keeping him grounded. He and husband David Burtka, a chef and actor, married in 2014 and are parents to twins Gideon and Harper, born via surrogate in 2010. The Harris–Burtka household often takes center stage in the actor’s festive posts. Over Easter, he posted a group photo tagged, “Happy Easter! With love, Gideon & Spike & Neil & Gidget & Harper & Chunk & David & Bianca,” revealing an extended family celebration. For Mother’s Day, he honored his mother, Sheila Scott Harris, writing, “Thanks, Mom, for always keeping me afloat. Happy Mother’s Day!” His social-media snapshots offer glimpses of family dinners, weekend art projects with the twins and travel adventures, underscoring the support system behind his busy career.
Looking Ahead
As Harris blows out the candles on this year’s cake, he teased that the upcoming twelve months will be “packed” with new creative ventures and more travel. With Sunny Dancer soon to hit screens and additional projects reportedly in development—including possible theater appearances and television roles—fans can expect continued surprises. One thing remains constant: whether on-stage, on-screen or on a far-flung beach, Harris brings enthusiasm, curiosity and an ever-expanding sense of adventure to everything he does.
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