Neil Patrick Harris Confirms He Was Initially Offered 'LATE SHOW' Gig

Neil Patrick Harris, once rumored to be a contender to replace David Letterman on THE LATE SHOW, confirmed today to Howard Stern that he was, in fact, initially approached to succeed the late-night host. Harris said CBS' Les Moonves and Nina Tassler also offered him Craig Ferguson's spot in the later show, though he eventually turned both gigs down.

"I was surprised he pitched me that idea," Harris said. "I think I would get bored of the repetition fast, and that the structure of it is so set, that I don't have any interest in doing monologue, commercial, sketch, guest, guest, guest, musical act, good night."

The job eventually went to Stephen Colbert.

Equally successful on stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris currently stars as Barney Stinson in the hit CBS television series, "How I Met Your Mother," a role which has garnered him multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations. Harris is a three-time Emmy Award winner for his guest-starring role on "Glee" and as host of the 63rd and 65th Annual Tony Awards. He also served as host and producer of the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards, as well as the 66th and 67th Annual Tony Awards. Harris will next host and produce the upcoming 65th Primetime Emmy Awards.

From his film debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in Clara's Heart and his seminal role as the beloved titular character in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," to his roles in the Harold & Kumar andThe Smurfs franchise films, Harris has enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 25 years in the industry. He is currently in production on the upcoming feature film, A Million Ways to Die in the West, with Seth Macfarlane, Charlize Theron, Liam Neeson, and Amanda Seyfried.

In addition to his numerous film and television credits, Harris has also enjoyed success in the theater. He most recently tackled the leading role of Bobby in the New York Philharmonic's concert version of Stephen Sondheim's Company. Harris has starred in three Broadway productions, including the dual role of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins. Harris made his Broadway debut as Anne Heche's unexpected suitor in Proof, and he later starred as the exuberant emcee in Cabaret at Studio 54. Among Harris' other theatrical credits include Amadeus (LA Philharmonic), All My Sons(Geffen Theater), tick, tick...BOOM! (Menier Chocolate Factory), The Paris Letter (Kirk Douglas Theater), Sweeney Todd (San Francisco Symphony Orchestra), Romeo and Juliet(Old Globe Theater), and Rent (Los Angeles touring production).

Harris made his musical directorial debut with a production of Rent at the Hollywood Bowl, and most recently mixed his love of magic and theater in directing Nothing to Hide at the Geffen Theater. He also served as director of I Am Grock (El Portal Theater) and The Expert at the Card Table (Ediburgh Fringe Festival and Broad Stage Theater).

Photo Credit: Walter McBride

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