Neil Patrick Harris

A child actor who achieved popularity and critical acclaim at an early age, Neil Patrick Harris managed to avoid the typical fate of child stars who often slipped into obscurity after spinning out of control; instead he thrived on stage, as well as in film and on television. Harris first emerged into the national spotlight as the titular character on "Doogie Howser, M.D." (ABC, 1989-1992), playing a child prodigy who works as a surgeon while …