ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Neil Patrick Harris' milestone message to twin children after admitting he doesn’t want to know which one is biologically his

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Updated 14:55 31 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 10:54 31 Jan 2025 GMT

Neil Patrick Harris' milestone message to twin children after admitting he doesn’t want to know which one is biologically his

The actor and his husband David Burtka share 14-year-old twins Gideon and Harper

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Neil Patrick Harris might have been a dad for more than a decade, but he still isn't interested in finding out which of his twins he is the biological father of.

The Albuquerque-born actor, 51, welcomed his kids Gideon and Harper into the world with his husband David Burtka back in October 2010.

The children, who were conceived via surrogate, are now 14 years old and thriving - with Patrick Harris dubbing them 'amazeballs' in a sweet birthday post last year.

The dad marked the milestone by sharing a snap of the teenagers cradling their dogs alongside a poignant message about parenting them both, while acknowledging that they wouldn't even be able to read it.

Advert

Let's hope he reiterated his point in their birthday cards then, eh?

In the social media post shared on 13 October, 2024, the How I Met Your Mother star wrote: "Harper and Gideon turn 14 today.

"I have never been more proud of anything in my entire life, and I suspect I never will. My husband David and I marvel at their maturity, are wowed by their warmth, chuffed by their charm.

Patrick Harris pictured with Harper, Gideon and his husband David Burtka (Instagram/@nph)
Patrick Harris pictured with Harper, Gideon and his husband David Burtka (Instagram/@nph)

"We love them both unconditionally, and their hugs fill us with life. We don’t say any of this to them, obvs, or they’d recoil or leverage it to their advantage.

"But they’re not on Insta, so I’m free to speak honestly. They’ll never find out. Happy Birthday, Harper and Gideon. You’re both amazeballs."

A host of social media users then took to the comment section to discuss the teenagers' resemblance to their parents.

One said: "I often wonder how it’s possible that your kids look like both of their dads. Is this a new science thing I’m not aware of? Regardless, they are both beautiful and I wish them the happiest birthday."

Another wrote: "Amazing children and [they] look so much like y'all!"

And a third added: "That boy is your twin. Happy birthday!"

Despite the apparent interest in Gideon and Harper's genetic makeup among fans, Patrick Harris and Burtka, 49, prefer to remain in the dark.

During a 2014 interview with veteran broadcaster Barbara Walters, the Doogie Howser, M.D actor revealed that he had 'no interest' in finding out which twin is his biological child.

The twins turned 14 in October last year (Instagram/@nph)
The twins turned 14 in October last year (Instagram/@nph)

"I have no interest in [finding out]," Patrick Harris said. "We are their parents and I love them implicitly."

The father-of-two then went on to discuss the intricate process which he and professional chef Burtka had to go through to become dads.

The couple, who began dating in 2004, and got hitched ten years later, used an anonymous egg donor and a surrogate to carry their twins.

Patrick Harris explained: "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, and both took, miraculously."

As the children are fraternal twins and not identical, the conception of the twins involved two embryos - one for each twin.

Patrick Harris then admitted that he and Burtka did have suspicions about whose child was whose 'based on their behaviour'.

"It's so funny," he said. "I see myself in each of them at different times."

But he didn’t reveal what those suspicions were, nor who he thought his genetic child was.

The American Horror Story star said that he takes on the role of the 'stern disciplinarian' when parenting Gideon and Harper, laughing: "My voice gets real intense."

Featured Image Credit: Instagram/nph

Topics: LGBTQ, Sex and Relationships, Parenting, Celebrity

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Recommended reads

Why Michael Jackson asked for 'milk' just before he died(Jim Ruyman-Pool/Getty Images)Oldest man in the US reveals key secrets for a long and healthy lifeFOX 5 New YorkDana White has bizarre response after being caught up in shooting at White House correspondents’ dinner(X)US government condemned by Pope as they bring back 17th-century execution methodChip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
9 hours ago
12 hours ago
  • (Jim Ruyman-Pool/Getty Images)
    7 hours ago

    Why Michael Jackson asked for 'milk' just before he died

    Michael Jackson died of an overdose on 25 June, 2009

    Entertainment
  • Dave Hogan/Getty Images
    9 hours ago

    Michael Jackson’s 'second family' claim he abused four kids as details emerge from new lawsuit

    The children previously denied the claims but now say they were groomed into becoming the pop star's 'soldiers'

    Entertainment
  • (ITV)
    9 hours ago

    Britain's Got Talent viewers slam 'rude' Simon Cowell after comment made to Dec during live semi-final

    Simon Cowell and Declan Donnelly briefly clashed during the live BGT episode

    Entertainment
  • (ITV)
    12 hours ago

    I'm A Celeb's Sinitta says David Haye went 'too far' as she reveals what happened before walking off explosive live final

    Sinitta shared her thoughts on the I'm A Celebrity final in a lengthy Facebook post

    Entertainment
  • Hidden hack to get £50 to spend at top restaurants this summer
  • Groom bursts into tears as he listens to 3-year-old daughter’s emotional recorded message moments before wedding vows
  • Man who started dating his daughter's 'ex-boyfriend' reveals huge revelation about his past relationship
  • Machine Gun Kelly 'addresses' claims he's no longer in contact with Megan Fox