David Burtka Net Worth: Age, Biography & Career
David Burtka has never fit neatly into one box. He is an actor with Broadway credits, a trained chef, a cookbook author, a television personality, and a familiar face to fans of How I Met Your Mother.
So, Who Is David Burtka? He is an American actor and professional chef best known for playing Scooter on How I Met Your Mother, appearing on stage and television, publishing lifestyle and entertaining books, and being married to actor Neil Patrick Harris. In 2026, he is also gaining fresh attention as part of the cast of Amazon MGM Studios’ Elle, the Legally Blonde prequel series.
Quick Facts
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Michael Burtka |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1975 |
| Age | 50 years old, as of 2026 |
| Birthplace | Dearborn, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, chef, author, television personality |
| Height | Reported at around 5 feet 10 inches |
| Known For | How I Met Your Mother, Broadway work, chef career, Life Is a Party, Elle |
| Net Worth | Public estimates suggest around $3 million |
Early Life and Background
David Burtka was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and grew up in Canton, Michigan. His full name is David Michael Burtka, and public biographical records list his birth date as May 29, 1975.
His early path was shaped by performance and training. Burtka graduated from Salem High School in 1993, studied at Interlochen Center for the Arts, and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan. He also trained at William Esper Studios, a respected acting school known for Meisner-based technique.
That mix of theater education and discipline gave Burtka a strong foundation before he became known to a wider television audience. His career would eventually span stage, screen, food, lifestyle, and family-centered entertainment.
Career Breakthrough
David Burtka’s breakthrough did not come from one overnight moment. It built gradually through theater, television, and a willingness to shift lanes.
One of his early notable stage successes came with Edward Albee’s The Play About the Baby. Burtka won the Clarence Derwent Award for most promising male performer, a major early career recognition in theater.
He later made his Broadway debut in the 2003 revival of Gypsy, starring Bernadette Peters. That role helped place him in serious musical theater circles and proved he could handle both acting and performance-driven stage work.
For many mainstream viewers, however, Burtka became recognizable through television. His role as Scooter, Lily Aldrin’s former high school boyfriend on How I Met Your Mother, introduced him to a broader comedy audience.
Major Works and Achievements
Television Career
David Burtka made early television appearances in shows such as The West Wing and Crossing Jordan. His recurring role as Scooter on How I Met Your Mother became one of his most recognizable screen credits.
He also appeared in CSI: NY, American Horror Story: Freak Show, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Uncoupled, and the food-themed competition world through shows like Beat Bobby Flay and Iron Chef America.
Broadway and Stage Work
Burtka’s theater career is a key part of his biography. His credits include Gypsy, The Opposite of Sex, It Shoulda Been You, and the 2023 Off-Broadway revival of God of Carnage.
That stage background gives him a different texture from actors who work only in film and television. He has moved seamlessly between musicals, comedy, drama, and live performance.
Chef, Author, and Lifestyle Work
Burtka also trained professionally as a chef. He graduated from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Pasadena in 2009 and later operated a Los Angeles catering company called Gourmet M.D.
In 2019, he released Life Is a Party, a cookbook and entertaining guide focused on approachable hosting, food, and celebration. He also co-authored Both Sides of the Glass: Paired Cocktails and Mocktails to Toast Any Taste with Neil Patrick Harris, published in 2025.
Personal Life
David Burtka is married to actor Neil Patrick Harris. The couple began their relationship in 2004 and married in Italy in September 2014. They are parents to twins, Harper and Gideon, born in 2010.
Burtka’s public image often blends family, food, theater, and entertainment. He and Harris have appeared together in lifestyle features, television projects, and public events. Burtka also shares food, family, and creative updates through his public social media presence.
He is widely seen as someone who has built a creative life rather than a single-track celebrity career. Acting is part of his story, but so are cooking, parenting, hosting, writing, and performance.
Net Worth and Income Sources
Publicly available estimates suggest David Burtka’s net worth is around $3 million.
That figure should be treated as an estimate, not a verified financial statement. Celebrity net worth figures are usually based on public career data, industry assumptions, and reported assets, rather than private financial records.
His income sources likely include acting roles, Broadway and stage work, television appearances, cookbook sales, food and lifestyle projects, hosting-related work, and brand or media opportunities tied to his chef and entertainment background.
Fun Facts and Lesser-Known Details
David Burtka is not only an actor. He is also professionally trained in culinary arts.
He has worked on Broadway, Off Broadway, television, film, food programming, and publishing.
He played Scooter on How I Met Your Mother, a role many sitcom fans still remember.
He studied at the University of Michigan and trained at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
His cookbook, Life Is a Party, reflects his love of hosting, entertaining, and family-style celebrations.
He and Neil Patrick Harris have collaborated publicly on food, lifestyle, and entertainment projects.
Why David Burtka Is Gaining Attention?
David Burtka is gaining renewed attention because he is listed among the recurring cast members of Elle, Amazon MGM Studios’ upcoming Legally Blonde prequel series. The show follows Elle Woods during her teenage years and is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video in 2026.
For longtime fans, Burtka’s casting adds another familiar name to a growing ensemble. For newer audiences, it may be an introduction to an entertainer whose career already spans Broadway, sitcoms, food television, and lifestyle publishing.
Conclusion
David Burtka’s journey stands out because it is not limited to one profession. He built his name through theater, television, food, writing, and public lifestyle work, creating a career that feels creative, flexible, and personal.
From Broadway stages to sitcom appearances, from chef training to cookbooks, Burtka has carved out a distinctive space in entertainment. With Elle bringing him back into the spotlight, his next chapter could introduce his work to a new audience.
FAQs
Who is David Burtka?
David Burtka is an American actor, chef, author, and television personality known for his work on How I Met Your Mother, his Broadway roles, food projects, and his upcoming role in Elle.
How old is David Burtka?
David Burtka was born on May 29, 1975. He is 50 years old as of 2026.
What is David Burtka known for?
He is known for playing Scooter on How I Met Your Mother, his Broadway work, his career as a chef, his cookbook, Life Is a Party, and his marriage to Neil Patrick Harris.
What is David Burtka’s height?
David Burtka’s height is commonly reported as around 5 feet 10 inches.
Where is David Burtka from?
David Burtka was born in Dearborn, Michigan, and grew up in Canton, Michigan.
What is David Burtka’s net worth?
Public estimates suggest David Burtka’s net worth is around $3 million, though this should be treated as an estimate rather than a confirmed personal financial figure.
Follow David Burtka’s latest work in television, theater, food, and lifestyle, and explore more celebrity biographies for updated entertainment profiles.