John Burtka
John Burtka
John Burtka is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. As an actor, he has appeared in numerous plays and movies.
He is an entrepreneur who has spearheaded the development of several notable restaurants in Jackson, Michigan. Through Grand River Brewery, he has opened two burger joints and an upscale seafood restaurant.
Early Life and Education
John Burtka is no stranger to the spotlight and an incredible renaissance man. He owns multiple businesses, from a small town brewery & cidery, to his hip new restaurant that’s quickly becoming the talk of Jackson.
He is a member of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board of the Downtown Foundation. In addition to his business accomplishments, Burtka is also an ardent philanthropist and dedicated family man; his wife Denise was once a teacher and their twin boys are now growing into impressive young men. The Burtkas have also starred in multiple television shows and movies while winning numerous awards for their contributions to Jackson County and beyond – including recognition by Michigan Small Business Administration for encouraging economic growth and job creation within their community.
Professional Career
Actor John Burtka made his professional debut in 2002 with a guest role on The West Wing. Soon after, he went on to star on Broadway in various productions such as Gypsy.
Burtka has also featured on several US TV series, such as How I Met Your Mother where he played the character Scooter. Additionally, Burtka met his future husband Neil Patrick Harris during this time on the show.
In 2014, the couple tied the knot after passing the Marriage Equality Act. They are parents to eight-year-old twins Gideon Scott and Harper Grace.
Achievements and Honors
John Burtka IV, a Jackson native and successful businessman, owns Cherry Creek Vineyard and Winery as well as Grand River Brewery both located here in Jackson.
Monkey Mouth, his latest beer, won the coveted prize for Best American-style India Pale Ale at the New York International Beer Competition. Additionally, it earned a silver medal at Great Lakes Cider and Peary Competition – world’s largest cider competition – for his “I See Pink Elephants!” hard cider.
Burtka has achieved remarkable business successes while being an exemplary entrepreneur and community volunteer. He founded the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the board for Western Career Prep High School. Additionally, Burtka was named a small businessperson of the year by Willis & Machnik Financial Services and received their ATHENA Award recognizing professional excellence and volunteerism.
Personal Life
Harris and Burtka have been together for 17 years, welcoming fraternal twins into their family in October 2010. They are renowned for their loving friendship as well as their philanthropic efforts.
In a 2012 essay for Out magazine, Harris described their initial encounter as an “American Idol party.” He said Burtka made an immediate impact on him and that he couldn’t take his eyes off of him.
Harris and Burtka have been married for eight years and are parents to two children, Harper and Gideon. Harris and Burtka share a passion for food; they even created The Chefs’ Table website which showcases recipes from numerous chefs.
Net Worth
John Burtka has an estimated net worth of $3 million. This wealth largely stems from his acting career, but also includes money from his food and catering business.
On May 29, 1975 in Dearborn, Michigan, Burtka was raised in Canton and graduated from Salem High School. He furthered his education at Interlochen Center for the Arts before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan.
His acting experience led to roles in multiple films and TV shows, but he is best known for his role as Barney Stinson on the hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
In September 2014, Burtka wed actor Neil Patrick Harris after they announced their engagement in June 2011. The couple had announced their engagement back then but waited until same-sex marriage became legal in New York before officially tying the knot.