David Burtka facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Burtka
Burtka in 2012
Born	David Michael Burtka (1975-05-29) May 29, 1975 (age 50) Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
Education	University of Michigan (BFA)
Occupation	Actor chef
Years active	1999–present (actor) 2009–present (chef)
Spouse(s)	Neil Patrick Harris ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	2

David Michael Burtka (born May 29, 1975) is an American actor and chef. He is known for his roles on TV and in Broadway shows. He also has a successful career as a professional chef.

Early Life and Education

David Burtka was born in Dearborn, Michigan. His parents were Deborah A. Zajas and Daniel Burtka. David grew up in Canton, Michigan. He finished high school at Salem High School in 1993.

He studied acting at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He then earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. David also trained further at the William Esper Studios.

Acting Career Highlights

David Burtka started his TV acting career in 2002. He had a guest role on the show The West Wing. After that, he appeared on Crossing Jordan.

Broadway Performances

In 2003, David made his first appearance on Broadway. He played the role of Tulsa in the musical Gypsy. He also played The Boy in The Play About the Baby. For this role, he won an award in 2001. It was called the Clarence Derwent Award. This award is for the most promising male performer.

In 2004, Burtka created the role of Matt in the musical The Opposite of Sex. He played this role again in 2006. In 2015, David returned to Broadway. He was in a musical comedy called It Shoulda Been You. It was directed by David Hyde Pierce.

More recently, in 2023, David starred in a play called God of Carnage. This play was shown at Theatre Row in New York City.

TV and Film Appearances

David Burtka appeared in seven episodes of How I Met Your Mother. He played a character named "Scooter". Scooter was the former high school boyfriend of Lily Aldrin. Lily was played by Alyson Hannigan.

He also made a brief appearance as himself in the movie A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. In 2013, David starred in the film Annie and the Gypsy. He also had a role in the 2014 movie Dance Off.

Culinary Career

David Burtka took a break from acting to become a professional chef. He studied at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Pasadena. He graduated in 2009.

After graduating, he started his own catering company. It was called "Gourmet MD". In April 2019, David published his own cookbook. It is titled Life is a Party. The book includes many recipes and tips for entertaining guests.

Personal Life

Burtka with his husband, Neil Patrick Harris, in September 2011.

David Burtka has been in a relationship with actor Neil Patrick Harris since 2004. In October 2010, they became parents to twins. Their names are Harper and Gideon. The children were born with the help of a surrogate mother.

After same-sex marriage became legal in New York in 2011, David and Neil announced their engagement. They had actually proposed to each other five years earlier. But they kept it a secret until marriage was legal for them. They got married in Italy in September 2014. As of 2023, their family lives in East Hampton, New York.

Filmography

David Burtka has appeared in various films and television shows.

Film Roles

Television Roles

See also

In Spanish: David Burtka para niños

• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City
• NYC Pride March