Neil Patrick Harris to Host the 63rd Annual Tony Awards

Neil Patrick Harris will host the 63rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall.

A stage veteran, Harris plays Barney Stinson on the hit CBS comedy How I Met Your Mother, for which he recently earned a 2009 Golden Globe nomination and two consecutive Emmy Award nominations. From his film debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in Clara’s Heart and his seminal role as the titular character in Doogie Howser, M.D., to his recent turn in Joss Whedon’s online sensation Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, Harris has enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 20 years in the industry. His many theatrical credits include the dual role of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning production of Assassins, as well as performances in the Broadway productions of Cabaret and Proof.

“The discipline of live theater—doing the same perfect thing night after night, eight times a week—never ceases to amaze me,” Harris said in a statement. “I'm truly honored to have been chosen as the master of ceremonies for this year's Tony Awards, and I hope to help provide a first-class evening for all.”

The Tonys are presented by the Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. The 2009 Tony Awards will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment. The telecast of the ceremony will air live on CBS beginning at 8pm on June 7.