Neil Patrick Harris Reveals Why He Doesn't Want To Know Which Twin Is Biologically His

By Editorial Staff in Entertainment On 18th June 2024
advertisement

When actor Neil Patrick Harris and his husband David Burtka became parents in 2010, they made a bold choice. 

They decided not to find out which one of them is the biological father of each of their twins. 

advertisement

Their kids, Gideon and Harper, are now 13 years old and were born through a surrogate. 

This means a different woman carried the babies for Neil and David until they were born.

He has no interest in finding out. Instagram / @nph

The couple has been very open about how they went through the process to have their children.

advertisement

Neil Patrick Harris, who is famous for TV shows like "How I Met Your Mother" and "Doogie Howser, M.D.," told journalist Barbara Walters in 2014 that he still had "no interest" in knowing which twin is biologically his. 

He said to her: "I have no interest in [finding out]. 

"We are their parents and I love them implicitly."

Explaining how they used a surrogate, he added: "We inserted one of my sperm and one of David's sperm into two eggs with the hope that they would both take, just because we both wanted to be dads biologically. 

"Both took, miraculously." 

Since Gideon and Harper are fraternal twins and not identical, this means two embryos were involved—one for each twin. 

Neil Patrick Harris has shared his parenting journey online. Instagram / @nph

A surrogate carried them, and the egg donor remained anonymous throughout the process, so Neil and David don't know who she is.

Gideon and Harper are now doing great with their dads and living in New York. 

Even though Neil and David don’t know which one of them is the biological father of each child, Neil mentioned to Barbara that they have some guesses based on the kids' behavior. 

advertisement

But he didn’t say what those guesses were or who he thought his genetic child might be.

Neil and his family made headlines last year when they showed their retro-style holiday cards in a partnership with Minted.

The card had Neil, David, Gideon, Harper, and their pet French Bulldog named Chunk on it. 

There was also "an additional shot of the family dogs on the backside of the card." 

The family love to take photos of their trips. Instagram / @nph

Fans loved the card and quickly commented on it. 

One fan wrote: "Such a pretty card," while another said: "Retro is where it's at this season!" 

A third added: "You two are so creative! 

advertisement

"I look forward to seeing what you all come up with next!"

Neil also posted a special message for the twins on Instagram on their birthdays in October last year.

The caption read: "And, just like that, they're teenagers," 

"Happy birthday, Harper and Gideon.

Patrick Harris and David Burtka Parade

"You are the lights of my life. 

"I can't wait to watch you want nothing to do with me, and I promise I'll be with you through all of it."