Barnabus "Barney" Stinson

    Barnabus "Barney" Stinson (born 1975) is a fictional character created by Carter Bays and Craig Thomas for the CBS television series How I Met Your Mother, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris. One of the main characters of the show, Barney is known to enjoy being single, wearing suits, and playing laser tag. He often uses different techniques and ideas to have sex with women, which is one of the show's central themes. During the later seasons, however, he does mature and get involved in serious relationships.

The character has been well received by critics throughout the series' run, and has been credited for much of the show's success. He is credited for the "Lemon Law" of first dates as well as the popularity of the "Suit Up!" concept, and is considered the show's breakout character.

    The show's creators envisioned Barney as what Bays later described as a "large, John Belushi-type character"; nonetheless, Megan Branman, the casting director for How I Met Your Mother, invited Harris to audition. He assumed that he was invited solely because the two were friends and did not believe he had a chance of winning the role. Harris later said: "Since I [considered] myself the long shot, I didn't care that much, and I think that allowed a freedom." His audition centered on a scene playing laser tag, and Harris attempted a dive roll, accidentally knocking over a chair and slamming into a wall in the process. CBS executives enjoyed his playing, and Harris was quickly offered the part.