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The Unlikely Romance: Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka’s Relationship Timeline
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka have defied Hollywood odds with their long-lasting marriage. The actors met when they were both on Broadway, with Harris in Cabaret and Burtka in Gypsy. Burtka was in another relationship at the time, and often commuted to Los Angeles to see his then-boyfriend. “I didn’t want to be that guy who was creating some sort of romantic interference,” Harris explained to Out in 2012. “So, I was always around when he was around, hoping the stars would align. When we all hung out for the first time — I was invited by [mutual friend] Kate to an American Idol viewing party — I just stammered around him. I couldn’t take my eyes off him.” The twosome began dating in 2004 and Harris publicly came out as gay two years later. The pair expanded their family in October 2010, welcoming fraternal twins Gideon Scott and Harper Grace via surrogate. Harris and Burtka secretly tied the knot in 2014 with only 45 guests in attendance. Scroll down to see Harris and Burtka’s relationship timeline:
Meeting and Early Years
A chance encounter led to a lifelong partnership. In April 2004, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka met on a Broadway street corner, where Harris was in Cabaret and Burtka was in Gypsy. Burtka shared in a 2012 essay written for Out magazine that he had had a boyfriend when he met the Doogie Howser star, but that the relationship was already on the rocks and ended shortly afterward. November 2006 marked the month when Harris publicly came out as gay in an exclusive interview with PEOPLE. “I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love,” he said. The interview came two months after season 2 of How I Met Your Mother began airing on CBS.
A Private Affair
Harris confirmed that he was in a relationship on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in April 2007 without naming David Burtka. In the interview, he spoke to DeGeneres about coming out while maintaining his privacy. “I’m not a very scandalous person and so I didn’t want to have to respond to some story … I just made a statement and sort of squashed the fires,” he said. “My life had been relatively open in my world. I’ve been dating the same guy for three years and our families know. We go out together all the time … I never felt it was an obligation for me to hold pinkies down the red carpet or anything.”
Red Carpet Debut
After three years of dating, Harris and Burtka made their first joint red carpet appearance at the 2007 Emmy Awards. The 2007 Emmy Awards marked the first of four nominations Harris received for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for his role in How I Met Your Mother. June 2009 brought rumors of starting a family with David Burtka, but Harris responded by saying, “We are not currently expecting a baby.” Though he did leave the door open for kids, adding, “Maybe someday.”
Coming Out and Going Public
August 2010 marked the month when Harris announced that he and Burtka were expecting twins with the help of a surrogate. “So, get this: David and I are expecting twins this fall,” Harris wrote on Twitter. “We’re super excited/nervous/thrilled. Hoping the press can respect our privacy…
Welcoming Twins
October 12, 2010, brought the arrival of twins Harper Grace and Gideon Scott. Burtka shared in a candid interview with Us Weekly that raising his twins with husband Neil Patrick Harris — and teaching them how to stay grounded amid a life in the spotlight — was a challenge. “It’s been their whole life. They know about the paparazzi and they know that they have to be nice,” he said. “My son went through a period where he sort of gritted his teeth for photos and we said, ‘No, you have to be nice.’ But, you know, it’s tough.”
Supporting Each Other
While raising their kids, Burtka and Harris know they always have one pal they can lean on: Elton John. The musician and husband David Furnish welcomed sons Zachary and Elijah in 2010 and 2013, respectively. “We’re going to be seeing them this summer in Nice,” Burtka revealed. “It was weird for the first couple of years to be sitting and having breakfast with Elton John at his villa in Nice, but now it’s just Uncle Elton.”
Family and Parenthood
Between supporting each other through career changes and cross-country moves, Harris and Burtka have stood by each other through it all. “I’m simply amazed by this awesome man,” Harris wrote on Instagram in a birthday tribute for Burtka in 2021. “David is the glue that holds our family together, the constant provider of meals and compassion, and the funniest, most loving man I know.”
Challenges and Support
The twins are navigating the challenges of adolescence, with Burtka noting that 6th, 7th, and 8th grade are particularly tough. “Do you remember 6th, 7th, 8th grade? It’s the toughest time and I can’t imagine what it’s like now to grow up as a 13-year-old with what’s going on overseas and global warming and everything in the world,” he said. “They don’t have social media, thank God. We won’t let them on social media until they’re 16.” Burtka also shared that there’s a lot of emotions while his twins navigate “high-pressure New York schools.”
Love and Acceptance
The couple’s commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy and support is unwavering. “We all need support. I mean, we can’t do it alone,” a proud Burtka said. Proceeds from the event honoring Marcia Gay Harden with the Advocate Award help support programs such as The Rainbow Library, which makes banned LGBTQ+ affirming books available to students. With each passing day, Harris and Burtka continue to inspire and educate the world about love, acceptance, and the importance of family.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka’s remarkable relationship timeline, as chronicled by Us Weekly, serves as a heartwarming reminder of the power of love and commitment. From their chance meeting at a theater in 2004 to their star-studded wedding in 2014, the couple has consistently demonstrated a deep affection for one another, weathering life’s ups and downs with poise and dedication. Throughout their journey, they have balanced their individual careers, parenthood, and philanthropic endeavors, all while maintaining a strong and supportive partnership.
The significance of Harris and Burtka’s relationship extends beyond their own personal happiness, as they have become beacons of hope for the LGBTQ+ community. By living their truth unapologetically, they have helped pave the way for greater acceptance and inclusivity, inspiring countless individuals to live authentically and pursue their own paths to love. As we look to the future, it is clear that Harris and Burtka’s love will continue to be a shining example of what it means to build a life together, through thick and thin. Their commitment to one another serves as a powerful reminder that love knows no boundaries, and that two people from different walks of life can come together to create something truly extraordinary.
As we reflect on the beautiful love story of Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka, we are reminded that relationships are not just about the grand gestures, but about the everyday moments of kindness, compassion, and understanding. In a world that often seems to value individualism over partnership, Harris and Burtka’s relationship serves as a testament to the transformative power of love and partnership. As we move forward, let us all strive to build relationships that are as strong, supportive, and loving as theirs – and in doing so, create a brighter, more loving future for all.