Neil Patrick Harris, celebrated for his role in Netflix’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” has shared that he isn’t curious about which of his twins is biologically his. Harris and his husband, David Burtka, welcomed twins Gideon and Harper in 2010 via a surrogate. The couple had their wedding in September 2014 and have been open about their journey to parenthood.
The process involved both Harris and Burtka providing sperm samples, which were then used to fertilize two separate eggs. These eggs were subsequently implanted into a surrogate, with the egg donors remaining anonymous. Ultimately, both eggs developed successfully, resulting in the birth of twins, with each dad having one biological child. However, Harris and Burtka have chosen not to find out which child is biologically related to whom.
In a 2014 interview with journalist Barbara Walters, 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. Both took, miraculously.”
Now 13 years old, the twins are a constant source of joy for Harris, who remains uninterested in knowing the specifics of their biological parentage. “I have no interest in [finding out]. We are their parents and I love them implicitly,” he told Walters.
Gideon and Harper are fraternal, not identical twins, a result of their conception through the surrogacy process wherein multiple fertilized eggs were implanted. Fraternal twins are more common in scenarios involving fertility treatments like In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), where multiple eggs are implanted to increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
Harris’s family is known for their charming, retro-style family Christmas cards, and he frequently shares touching moments with his children on social media. Most recently, in October 2023, he posted a heartfelt birthday message for the twins’ 13th birthday: “And, just like that, they’re teenagers. Happy birthday, Harper and Gideon. 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.”
The family continues to share their life’s milestones publicly, celebrating each moment with heartfelt sincerity and an emphasis on the joys of parenting, regardless of biological specifics.