Neil Patrick Harris

To some he will forever be teen doctor Doogie Howser. But those more familiar with Harris' career know that he has successfully transformed himself from a baby-faced lead into a versatile character actor. After making an auspicious film debut in 1988's Clara's Heart, Harris became known for his small-screen work, including Doogie Howser, M.D. and a plethora of TV-movies. As an adult, he moved to big-screen supporting parts (the lone white guy in 1997's Undercover Brother, a scientist in 2002's Starship Troopers) and even conquered Broadway with his impressively powerful vocals in Cabaret and Assassins. In 2005, he returned to series television as a womanizing wise guy on How I Met Your Mother, a particularly ironic role considering there had long been rumors that Harris was gay. While he initially remained mum on the subject (although he did poke fun at his ambiguous sexual orientation on Will & Grace when he guest-starred as a "reformed" homosexual), he officially came out in November 2006.