David Burtka, an individual equally recognized for his talents as both an actor and a chef, gained significant public attention as the husband of actor Neil Patrick Harris. He was born on May 29, 1975, in Dearborn, Michigan. David Burtka’s journey into the world of acting began at the prestigious Interlochen Center for the Arts, after which he pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, graduating with a strong foundation in the performing arts. Following this, he further honed his craft at William Esper Studios, eventually making his professional debut in the entertainment industry.
In 1999, David Burtka made his film debut in the indie feature “24 Nights.” His television debut came a few years later in 2002, with a role on the long-running series “West Wing” (NBC 1999-2006). Burtka also garnered acclaim for his stage performance as The Boy in Edward Albee’s “The Play About Baby” in 2001. In 2003, he made his Broadway debut in “Tulsa,” sharing the stage with Bernadette Peters. The following year, David Burtka took on the lead role of Matthew in the Broadway adaptation of the indie film “The Opposite of Sex” (1998), further solidifying his presence in the theater world.
David Burtka returned to television in 2006, portraying Scooter, the emotionally complex high school boyfriend of Lily (played by Alyson Hannigan) on the popular sitcom “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS 2005-2014). Speculation about Burtka’s personal life and his relationship with co-star Neil Patrick Harris prompted Harris to publicly address his sexuality in 2007. The couple eventually tied the knot on September 6, 2014, in a picturesque ceremony in Italy, officiated by the show’s director, Pamela Fryman.
While continuing his acting pursuits, David Burtka also developed a successful culinary career. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Pasadena in 2009, he launched his own catering business, Gourmet M.D. Additionally, he trained under renowned chef Mario Batali at Babbo and studied under chef and author Gina DePalma, further expanding his expertise in the culinary field.
In 2011, David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris announced their engagement via a heartfelt message on Twitter. Though he appeared in films like “A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas” (2011) and “Annie and the Gypsy” (2012), David Burtka gradually shifted his focus toward his passion for cooking as the 2010s progressed. However, he made a brief return to the big screen with a comedic supporting role in the dance movie parody “Dance-Off” (2014), showcasing his enduring charm and versatility as a performer.
David Burtka has been part of several movies throughout his career, but one of his standout performances came in the 2020 film Cicada, which is widely regarded as his highest-rated project to date. On the flip side, he also appeared in A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas back in 2011, a film that, while popular with some audiences, holds the distinction of being his lowest-rated movie overall.