10 Actors Who Broke The "Child Actor" Curse
8. Neil Patrick Harris
It must have taken a lot to rid oneself of Doogie Howser. Even in his adult life, upon Starship Troopers release, jokes about his iconic 80s role as the bright-eyed, underage doctor were making the rounds with critics and audiences (it didn't help that his character worked in the medical field). But around the time Harris came out of the closet, he was cast in what will likely be a TV role far more memorable than Dr. High Schoool.
In How I Met Your Mother, he played against type as the coveted comic side character in How I Met Your Mother, the womanizing Barney Stinson. The energy and aloof confidence of Barney granted Harris great acclaim, but he also later proved himself a solid dramatic actor, taking a much creepier and darker turn in David Fincher's Gone Girl.
Perhaps what's buoyed Harris most is his own sense of humour; his ability to laugh as his early years just as hard as we do. Such personality and charisma has led to hosting countless award shows.