Timing is everything in Hollywood. For Neil Patrick Harris, the clock started ticking loudly in late 2006. At the time, he wasn't just "that kid from Doogie Howser" anymore. He was Barney Stinson—the suit-wearing, womanizing, legendary breakout star of How I Met Your Mother.
But while Barney was busy chasing every woman in New York City on screen, the real-life actor was facing a different kind of pressure.
Rumors were swirling. Gossip blogs, led by the then-unstoppable Perez Hilton, were practically shouting from the digital rooftops about Harris’s private life. It wasn't just idle chatter; there was a specific "witch hunt" vibe in the air. People wanted to know who he was dating. Specifically, they wanted to know about a certain actor named David Burtka.
The Official Announcement
So, when did Neil Patrick Harris come out? The date was November 3, 2006.
He didn't do a massive, tearful televised sit-down. Instead, he released a short, remarkably poise statement to People magazine. Looking back, the wording was classic NPH—articulate, slightly defiant, and deeply settled.
"The public interest in my own life which I’ve tried to keep relatively private has become somewhat overwhelming," he stated. "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."
That was it. No bells, no whistles. Just a "content gay man" getting back to work.
The Perez Hilton Factor: Was He Pushed?
Honestly, the context of 2006 is weirdly important here. This was the "wild west" of celebrity gossip. Blogs like PerezHilton.com and Defamer were at the height of their powers, and their favorite pastime was "outing" celebrities they felt were being dishonest.
A few weeks before the People statement, a story broke on Canada.com claiming Harris had helped his "boyfriend" David Burtka land a guest spot on How I Met Your Mother. Suddenly, the smoke had a fire. A publicist reportedly tried to deny it, saying Harris was "not of that persuasion," which only made the bloggers move in for the kill.
Neil has since admitted that the pressure was a factor. He didn't want to be caught in a lie. He also didn't want to disrespect David by acting like he didn't exist.
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Privacy vs. Believability
You have to remember that back then, conventional wisdom said coming out was career suicide for a leading man. If you’re gay, how can you play a "lady's man" like Barney Stinson?
Neil actually talked about this with Ellen DeGeneres a few months after coming out. He felt that as an actor, you want to keep a bit of mystery so people can believe you in different roles. He wasn't hiding because he was ashamed; he was hiding because he wanted to keep his "actor's toolkit" full. He didn't feel an obligation to hold hands on a red carpet just to prove a point.
But the world was changing. And Neil, it turns out, was the one who was going to change it.
Why the Barney Stinson Factor Didn't Kill His Career
Most people expected How I Met Your Mother to take a hit. They were wrong. Barney Stinson didn't just survive the news; the character became even more iconic.
There’s a funny bit of irony in the fact that one of the most famous "straight" characters in sitcom history was played by an openly gay man. It basically proved that the audience didn't care about who Neil went home to, as long as he made them laugh.
- The suit remained.
- The catchphrases stayed.
- The fans didn't leave.
Actually, his career exploded after 2006. He went on to host the Tonys, the Emmys, and the Oscars. He became a Broadway powerhouse in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He showed that being "out" wasn't a limitation; it was just a fact.
Real Talk on the "Industry Secret"
In his inner circle, Neil wasn't exactly in the closet. He had been dating David Burtka since 2004. They went to parties together. Their families knew.
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He told Out magazine in 2008 that he even brought David to the very first How I Met Your Mother barbecue. He wasn't living a double life in the shadows; he just wasn't broadcasting it to the 10 million people watching him on CBS every Monday night.
The "coming out" wasn't for him or his friends—it was for the public record.
The Legacy of the 2006 Reveal
What’s wild is how "normal" this all feels now. But in 2006, it was a earthquake. He was one of the first major stars to come out while currently starring in a hit network sitcom.
He didn't become "The Gay Actor." He stayed Neil Patrick Harris, the guy who likes magic, hosts awards shows, and happens to have a husband and two kids.
Misconceptions to Clear Up
- He wasn't "outed" by a photo. It was a proactive statement to control the narrative.
- He didn't lose his job. CBS and the showrunners were actually incredibly supportive.
- It wasn't a sudden realization. He had known since his late teens, notably realizing it after a relationship with actress Christine Taylor didn't give him "the sparks."
If you’re looking at the timeline, the 2006 announcement was the pivot point. It turned him from a child star trying to find his footing into a cultural mainstay.
Actionable Takeaways for the Curious
If you're following the NPH journey or looking for how this applies to modern Hollywood, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Watch the 2007 Ellen Interview: It’s a masterclass in how to handle personal questions with grace and humor without giving away your entire soul.
- Context Matters: Contrast his 2006 experience with actors coming out today. The "pressure" has shifted from "stay in the closet" to "be an activist," but Neil’s middle-ground approach of being "content" is still a valid blueprint.
- Career Longevity: NPH is proof that talent trumps gossip. If you are indispensable to a production (like he was to HIMYM), the "scandal" of being yourself usually evaporates pretty quickly.
Neil and David eventually married in Italy in 2014, after being together for a decade. They have twins, Gideon and Harper. Looking back at that 2006 statement, he wasn't just "dispelling rumors." He was clearing the path for the rest of his life.