Actor and celebrity chef David Burtka has marked seven years of sobriety with an Instagram posting.
Burtka is the husband of Neil Patrick Harris. The men have twin kids, Gideon and Harper, aged 12.
Burkta, 48, wrote, “Wow- 7 years sober today…. Getting clean has been the easiest and the hardest, the most painful and the most joyful, the clearest and the most confusing. These are all contradictory thoughts, but that’s life. What’s the light without the dark? The good without the bad? I am finally living, not numbing and not brushing aside REAL emotions. At year 7 I consider myself still a kid emotionally. I am learning everyday and I still have so much to learn. The most important thing I have learned is I don’t need drugs and alcohol.”
Burtka was born and raised in Michigan. He began landing professional acting roles in the early 00s, including a number of appearances on Broadway. He met Harris in 2004 but they kept their relationship private as Harris was not out at the time. After Harris did come out in 2006, the men announced they were moving in together.
In 2009, Harris revealed Burtka was giving up acting to retrain as a chef. However, Burtka has since returned to the boards occasionally. He was most recently seen earlier this year in God Of Carnage at the off-Broadway Theatre Row. He and Harris also executive-produced and featured in the reality TV show, Drag Me To Dinner.
Among those to comment on Burtka’s latest post was Elton John’s husband, David Furnish, who said, “Happy Birthday David!!! Keep shining that light.”
Actress Kathy Najimy (Hocus Pocus) said, “You are amazing!! What a gift to yourself! You deserve it angel❤️ friend. We love you.”
Others in recovery also offered their congratulations.
“My sponsor told me ‘early sobriety’ is the first seven years,” was one comment. “Congrats on your sobriety becoming a toddler! Seven years is incredible!”
“I’m at 11 months so far and this is super inspirational so thanks for sharing,” said another.
Last week, both Harris and Burtka posted messages marking their ninth wedding anniversary.
The star of Off-Broadway’s “God of Carnage” and co-creator of Hulu’s ‘Drag Me to Dinner” reveals the gayest things about himself.
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Very Happy for you David! In all my 22 years, I’ve had 1 beer, literally that’s the extent of my alcohol consumption. I don’t obviously and never had a drinking issue but I have many other issues, which cause me great distress so whatever the problem, it’s always severe and hard to deal with. . Congrats David. Neil & David = one married couple I truly like and admire.
I celebrated 6 years last month. Addiction is a disease that afflicts people of every race, age and socioeconomic status. Having famous role models who will speak about their recovery has helped me so much, especially Rob Lowe and Ben Affleck, my contemporaries. Wealthy people certainly have more means to get help….but at the end of the day it’s you alone choosing not to reach for your substance of choice. Congratulations David. Every part of your life is better sober.
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Mister P
Great article. Not enough people realize how many former drug and alcohol users are living happy and productive lives.
Congrats to David on 7 years.
Pietro D
Very Happy for you David! In all my 22 years, I’ve had 1 beer, literally that’s the extent of my alcohol consumption. I don’t obviously and never had a drinking issue but I have many other issues, which cause me great distress so whatever the problem, it’s always severe and hard to deal with. . Congrats David. Neil & David = one married couple I truly like and admire.
Jack
I celebrated 6 years last month. Addiction is a disease that afflicts people of every race, age and socioeconomic status. Having famous role models who will speak about their recovery has helped me so much, especially Rob Lowe and Ben Affleck, my contemporaries. Wealthy people certainly have more means to get help….but at the end of the day it’s you alone choosing not to reach for your substance of choice. Congratulations David. Every part of your life is better sober.
Terrycloth
Didn’t see the headline at first, just the photo. I thought another DeSantis article ?