Television Series How I Met Your Mother Cast Biographies

The half hour television comedy series known as "How I Met Your Mother" shown on CBS revolves around a father telling his son how he met his mother. The series does this in several flashbacks. "How I Met Your Mother" has won two Emmys in 2006. The series ended their second season in May of 2007 and has been renewed for a third season. It stars Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders, Neil Patrick Harris and Alyson Hannigan.

Josh Randor

Josh Randor the actor who plays "Ted Mosby" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother" was born on July 29, 1974 in Bexley, Ohio. Randor attended Bexley High School where he appeared on stage with "Cabaret" and "Oklahoma!" as well as Kenyon College where he earned a Paul Newman award. Randor next studied acting at New York University's Tisch School of Arts which then brought him to working at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

Randor made his television debut in 2000 with the comedy, "Welcome to New York". The following year brought his film debut with the teen comedy, "Not Another Teen Movie". Television work ensued such as, "Law & Order" (2002), "The Court" (2002), "ER" (2003), "Six Feet Under" (2003), "Miss Match" (2003), "Everyday Life" (2004), "Judging Amy" (2005) and "Family Guy" (2007). In 2002, Randor appeared on Broadway for the first time with "The Graduate" with Alicia Silverstone and Kathleen Turner.

In 2005, Randor won the role of "Ted Mosby" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother".

Jason Segel

Jason Segel the actor who plays "Marshall Eriksen" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother" was born on January 18, 1980 in Los Angeles, California. Segel has one sibling, a sister by the name of Alison. In high school, Segel was a state champion basketball player.

Segel made his film debut with the romantic comedy, "Can't Hardly Wait". More films followed such as, "Dead Man on Campus" (1998), "SLC Punk!" (1998) and "New Jersey Turnpikes" (1999). In 1999, Segel began starring as, "Nick Andopolis" on the critically acclaimed series, "Freaks and Geeks". The series won an Emmy. The short lived comedy ended in 2000. Shortly after, he starred in the romantic comedy film, "Slackers". In 2001, Segel starred in another failed series entitled, "Undeclared". He also appeared in, "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" (2004-2005) and "Alias" (2005). In 2006, Segel starred in the romantic comedy, "Knocked Up" with Katherine Heigl and Paul Rudd which is currently playing in theaters.

In 2005, Segel won the role of, "Marshall Eriksen on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother".

Cobie Smulders

Cobie Smulders the actress who plays "Robin Scherbatsky" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother" was born on April 3, 1982 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. While in high school, Smulders appeared on the stage. When she was a teenager, Smulders started a modeling career where she traveled to Italy, Greece, Germany, France and Japan.

Smulders made her television debut in 2002 with "Special Unit 2". Several television roles ensued such as, "Jeremiah" (2002), "Veritas: The Quest" (2003), "Tru Calling" (2004), "Smallville" (2004), "Andromeda" (2005) and "The L Word" (2005). She made her film debut with "Walking Tall" in 2004. Smulders also appeared in the film comedy, "The Long Weekend" (2005).

In 2005, Smulders won the role of, "Robin Scherbatsky" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother".

Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris the actor who plays "Barney Stinson" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother" was born on June 15, 1973 in Albuquerque, New Mexico to Ron and Shelia Harris. Harris's parents are lawyers. He has an older brother. In 1991, Harris graduated from La Cueva High School.

Harris made his film debut with the drama, "Clara's Heart" in 1988 which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Television movies followed such as, "Too Good to Be True" (1988), "Home Fires Burning" (1989) and "Cold Sassy Tree" (1989). In 1989, Harris won the lead role in the television comedy, "Doggie Howser, M.D.". The series endured for four years and earned Harris a second Golden Globe nomination in 1992.

Numerous roles in television followed including, "Murder, She Wrote" (1993), "Not Our Son" (1995), "Homicide: Life on the Street" (1997), "The Christmas Wish" (1998), "Will and Grace" (2000), "Stark Raving Mad" (1999-2000), "The Wedding Dress" (2001), "Ed" (2001) and "The Christmas Blessing" (2005). Films include, "The Next Best Thing" (2000), "Undercover Brother" (2002) and "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" (2004). Harris also appeared on Broadway with, "Sweeney Todd", "Proof" and "Cabaret".

In November of 2006, Harris went public and admitted to being gay.

In 2005, Harris won the role of, "Barney Stinson" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother".

Alyson Hannigan

Alyson Hannigan the actress who plays, "Lily Aldrin" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother" was born on March 24, 1974 in Washington, D.C. to Albert Hannigan and Emilie Posner. Hannigan's father is a photographer while her mother is a real estate agent. At four years of age, Hannigan began appearing in a commercial for Duncan Hines.

Hannigan's film debut was in the comedy, "Impure Thoughts" in 1986. Two years later, she starred in the science fiction comedy film, "My Stepmother Is an Alien" which earned her a Young Artist Award nomination. In 1989, Hannigan starred in the short lived television series, "Free Spirit". More television ensued such as, "Roseanne" (1990), "Switched at Birth" (1991), "Touched by an Angel" (1994), "Picket Fences" (1996) and "For My Daughter's Honor" (1996).

In 1997, Hannigan won the role of, "Willow Rosenberg" on the television series, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". She would stay with the show until 2003. Her performances earned her a Teen Choice Award and a Saturn Award as well as nominations for a TV Guide Award and Golden Satellite Award. Films include, "American Pie" (1999), "Boys and Girls" (2000), "American Pie 2" (2001) and "American Wedding" (2003).

In October of 2003, Hannigan married actor, Alexis Denisof.

In 2005, Harris won the role of, "Lily Aldrin" on the television series, "How I Met Your Mother".