Neil Patrick Harris: August 2008 Archives

Neil Patrick Harris is really in demand and I'd like to think it's not only because he's super talented, but also because he's super gay..

I'm not sure what that means but I guess what I mean is that since he came out as a gay man two years ago, he's just gotten to be a bigger and bigger star. He and Sarah Chalke have been tapped to host the 2008 Primetime Creative Arts Emmy® Awards on Saturday, September 13 from the NOKIA Theatre it was announced Thursday.

That's the show a week before the regular Emmys when they award the guest acting trophies and the reality show prizes, among others. This is the ceremony where, last year, Kathy Griffin told Jesus to "suck it...this award kis my God now."

Here's the bio that came with the press release: Neil Patrick Harris received his second Primetime Emmy® nomination this year for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance as Barney Stinson on CBS' "How I Met Your Mother." A television favorite since his Golden Globe Award-nominated role in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," Harris has since firmly established himself in all mediums. On the stage, he most recently starred in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. Other recent theater credits include star-turns in the London musical production of Jonathan Larson's "Tick, Tick...Boom," the Tony Award-winning musical "Assassins," "Cabaret" and "Proof." Harris' additional television credits include the series "Stark Raving Mad," "Will & Grace," "NUMB3RS," the mini-series "Joan of Arc," and the CBS television movie "The Christmas Blessing." Harris' film work began with "Clara's Heart," and includes the recent release "Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."

What a stud!

I can't believe I've never posted this commercial. I love it!

Here is the Out Magazine cover of Neil Patrick Harris one of his quotes that I found interesting and sweet:

The first face that empowered me was Danny Roberts from "The Real World: New Orleans." I think before him I'd never seen anyone wear [homosexuality] so comfortably. He was around my age. I could look to him as a role model -- if you could say that, even though he was on a reality show. He represented a way that I could behave and stand tall comfortably without being an overt advocate and without being someone hiding in the shadows. I liked that.

I was driving home from Palm Springs last night and National Public Radio's Terry Gross was playing an encore of an interview she did with Neil Patrick Harris back in 2005. It was that very interview, when it originally aired, that really shaped my opinion of this actor. He was so articulate as he spoke of everything from teen stardom on "Doogie Howser M.D." to a career on Broadway starring in "Rent," "Cabaret" and "Assassins" and, at the time of the interview, with Patti LuPone in a production of "Sweeney Todd."

Anyway, when I got out of the car last night, after listening to this interview, there was a brand-new copy of Out Magazine in my mail with none other than Neil Patrick Harris on the cover! Here are some excerpts from NPH's most candid interview to date on being an openly gay man in Hollywood:
On how the business has changed for gay actors since he first hit the scene as Doogie: "It's all uniquely so personalto each person. I can't say that the business is any different now than it was then because I wasn't 30 years old then and in a position to stand tall and say something. I think the fears that enveloped me then would be the same fears that would envelope people that are 15, 16, 17 now.... Clearly there's way more exposure and a much larger gray area with sexuality and the public's opinion towards it - on almost every level - professionally, artistically, legally. What made it more unique 20 years ago was that there were less examples - so that made it a shock. And I think the shock value has kind of worn off."

On growing up in Hollywood and coming out: Actually I think it was easier for me because I was around a lot of people who were gay and I was around a lot of people who were very confident. I was surrounded by people I could talk to freely about anything, and they were very successful emotionally and otherwise. And yet, part of the coming out process is figuring out who you like and what that means and how to act upon it. Being an actor reduced my level of anonymity. I couldn't just go to some bar and walk in and ask someone out on a date because there was too much awareness of me ... I sort of had to narrow my gaze from afar. If I had any regret, it would be that strange lack of anonymity that created panic within myself that I would be found out. I think that's everyone's big fear."
On his boyfriend, actor David Burtka: "I found a guy who I'm head over heels for ... I think if and when we do (get married), we'd probably announce it after the fact as opposed to making the bog announcement that it was going to happen. ... We both wear rings and I'm giddy when I see all the pictures of people so happy standing there, confirming the love they wish they could have expressed for a long time."

On Anderson Cooper: "Mmmmmmmmmm. Anderson. He's dreamy, just dreamy. I've been a fan of his since season one of "The Mole.' I just thought he was so cool when he talked on this cool, low super-agent voice - 'If you can accomplish this task...' Listen, no one should tell anyone how big their steps should be or when they can take them."