Neil Patrick Harris returns to host Tony Awards

Neil Patrick Harris, star of the CBS comedy, "How I Met Your Mother," returns to host The 65th Annual Tony Awards, the most anticipated evening in American theater, to be broadcast live from The Beacon Theater in New York, Sunday, June 12 (8-11 p.m., live ET; delayed PT), on the CBS Television Network. Harris first hosted The Tony Awards in 2009, which subsequently won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special Class Performance.

"I'm honored and stoked to have been asked to host the 2011 Tony Awards," Harris said. "It should be a great show. We've got a fantastic mix of live performances, a few secret surprises - and since they're closed for retooling, we're using all the rigging equipment from 'Spider-man.' What could possibly go wrong?"

"We are thrilled to have Neil Patrick Harris return as host of The Tony Awards," said Jack Sussman, executive vice president of specials, music and live events for CBS Entertainment. "His Emmy Award-winning performance from 2009 is a testament to his enormous talent. The audience loves him - he's a star. We look forward to what surprises he may bring to this year's show. Anything can happen - and with Neil, it usually does!"

Equally successful on stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris currently stars as Barney Stinson in the hit CBS television series, "How I Met Your Mother," a role which garnered him four consecutive Emmy Award nominations and two consecutive Golden Globe nominations. Harris won his first two Emmy Awards for his guest-starring role on "Glee," in addition to his role as host of the 2009 Tony Awards. From his film debut opposite Whoopi Goldberg in "Clara's Heart" and his seminal role as the beloved titular character in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," to his turns in the "Harold & Kumar" films and Joss Whedon's online sensation, "Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog," Harris has enjoyed a successful career spanning more than 20 years in the industry.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Tony Awards, which were first held on April 6, 1947, at the Waldorf Astoria's Grand Ballroom. The ceremonies are presented by Tony Award Productions, which is a joint venture of The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing, which founded the Tonys in 1947.

 The Tonys were founded in memorial to Antoinette ("Tony") Perry, the American Theatre Wing's World War II chairperson. The winners are selected by the governing board of Actors Equity, The Dramatists Guild, Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the United Scenic Artists, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers, the Casting Society of America, the American Theatre Wing and members of The Broadway League.

Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producers. Weiss will also serve as director for the 12th consecutive year.