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.
