Tomorrow is Neil Patrick Harris Appreciation Day, so you all better appreciate the man. And why not? Neil Patrick Harris can do it all. He can play it clean, he can play it blue, he can sing, he can dance, and he can even do magic. His professionalism and easy-going charm is capable of bringing people together from all walks of life. Who knew when we met him so many years ago that the guy would grow up to be such a player? From little Doogie Howser's TV show to old Doogie Howser's Old Spice ad, we list Neil Patrick Harris's greatest roles.
Best Neil Patrick Harris Roles
Neil Patrick Harris has been breaking hearts and taking names since he was a wee teenager. We list the best roles of his long and surprisingly varied career.
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By Evan Saathoff February 6, 2012 |
Credit: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Starship Troopers |
It takes a particularly twisted genius to look at Neil Patrick Harris and see a fascist, but that's why Paul Verhooven is worth having around. And now we thankfully have the awesome satire Starship Troopers, which proves that yes, Neil Patrick Harris even wears thinly-veiled fascism like a pro. This appearance took place in the lull between Doogie Howser and full-on adult stardom, so Verhooven was really ahead of the curve in more ways than one.
Prop 8: The Musical |
When California tried to outlaw gay marriage the stars came out to fight in this hilarious Funny or Die short. Prop 8: The Musical features a group of conservatives and gay advocates fighting over the legislation. Not even Jack Black's Jesus Christ can shake the conservatives' resolve.
Luckily Neil Patrick Harris shows up. Billed as "A Very Smart Fellow," NPH brings both sides together by reminding the conservatives, through song of course, how much money can be made by letting gay people marry. Sadly, it didn't work, but it's still awesome.
Undercover Brother |
Before Neil Patrick Harris completely subverted his image in Harold and Kumar, a movie a lot of people saw, he subverted his image in the 2002 film, Undercover Brother.
As Lance, Neil Patrick Harris believably illustrates how people who scratch a sissy's surface long enough may find a superhuman homicidal maniac underneath. It's also really cool to see him hanging out with Dave Chappelle and Billy Dee Williams.
Credit: Activision
Spider-Man |
Neil Patrick Harris is also a good voice actor with many credits under his belt, especially when it comes to superheroes. He's played The Flash, Nightwing, and, most notably, Spider-Man.
Neil Patrick Harris's television run as Spider-Man in Spider-Man the New Animated Series lasted only thirteen episodes, but he was able to reprise the role for the Activision game Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, where he plays just one of many versions of the web-slinger.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent |
It seems like the Law & Order franchise gives every funny guy a rare shot at doing a dramatic role. Stephen Colbert was on one, as was Chevy Chase. But can any of those guys brag that they played a cannibal? Because Neil Patrick Harris can. And when Vincent D'Onofrio breaks him down and forces him to admit it, NPH can't help but make you sympathetically ponder the sad lonely lives of cannibals everywhere. That's just how good he is.
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