Neil Patrick Harris to Host the 87th Annual Academy Awards

Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

Is there anything Neil Patrick Harris can’t do? On Wednesday, Harris was announced as the host of the 87th Annual Academy Awards. Clearly, the answer is absolutely not.
No stranger to the awards show gig, Harris has hosted the Tony Awards four times and the Emmy Awards twice. His exuberant personality and natural ability to command a crowd makes him a perfect candidate to host such a prestigious award show. Last years award show, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, drew in approximately 46 million viewers and had the biggest viewership in 14 years.
Each year Harris has hosted the Tony Awards viewership has also grown. For his big opening number “Bigger,” which earned him an Emmy Award this past year, Harris left it all on the stage and generated close to 8 million viewers. His larger than life personality makes him a natural host. Harris’ latest hosting gig was the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was also a major hit with audiences and critics.

Harris is a multi-talented actor, musician, and singer. Most notable for his role as legendary NYC playboy Barney Stinson on How I Met Your Mother, he has solidified his rank amongst comedy legends. His work on the TV sitcom earned him several Emmy nominations and People’s Choice Awards. But TV alone couldn’t contain his charisma. He recently earned a 2014 Tony Award for his portrayal of a transgender song stylist Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Harris can currently be seen in movie theaters in David Fincher’s latest thriller Gone Girl as Desi Collings.
This may be Harris’ first time hosting the Oscars but there is no doubt he will put on a thrilling, musical, and downright entertaining show. He is a storm to be reckoned with, and 2014 seems to be the year of Neil Patrick Harris.
The 87th Annual Academy Awards will be held on February 22, 2014 on ABC.