Ted Mosby

Grew Up… in Shaker Heights, Ohio, with his mother, Virgina, and his father, Alfred. Ted had a comfortable upbringing, especially since the entire Mosby family is known for its avoidance of any subject that would bring discomfort or conflict. Ted had very few friends growing up, an inside joke among his current crew, but bonded quickly with best friend Marshall Eriksen as college freshmen at Wesleyan.  

Living… in “The Apartment” on Manhattan’s Upper West Side with Marshall and Marshall’s fiancé, Lily. It’s conveniently located above MacLaren’s Pub, where the gang – which also includes Robin and Barney – often gathers for drinks. Apartment 4C has two bedrooms, the other currently occupied by Marshall and Lily. Due to three out of five members of the gang residing there, The Apartment is a constant hub of activity. You never know if there will be a party, a sword fight, or a “Cockamouse” (a cockroach-mouse hybrid) when you walk in the door.

Profession… architect. His work shows promise, but he’s still a long way from fulfilling his dream: designing a building that joins the the fabled Manhattan skyline.

Interests… telling stories, falling in love, believing in destiny, avoiding confrontation, being a know-it-all, Renaissance Faires, crossword puzzles, Star Wars, breakfast foods, show tunes, girls who play bass guitar, giving “the best” gifts, and reading serious literature.

Relationship Status… in constant search of his soul mate. As he puts it, “If you’re not scared, then you’re not taking a chance. If you’re not taking a chance, then what the hell are you doing anyway?” A hopeless romantic, Ted decided after Marshall got engaged to Lily that his life was moving too slowly and that he needed to fall in love fast. Really, what could go wrong?

Challenge… finding “The One.” Ted has a tendency to really put himself out there, and it usually doesn’t work out. He repeatedly gets too serious too fast and scares women off. But he just can’t help himself, because he’s shooting for the stars: “Shouldn’t we hold out for the person who doesn’t just tolerate our quirks… but actually kinda likes them?”

Personality… kind, passionate, hopeful, and a little dorky. Ted isn’t as smooth as Barney or as adorable as Marshall, but his charm (such as it is) lies in his quick wit and his deep dedication to the people he loves. That’s true even if she’s an ex, like Robin: “Sometimes love means taking a step back. If you care about somebody, you should want them to be happy even if you wind up being left out.” A hardcore know-it-all, he frequently annoys his friends by pronouncing big words “the correct way” to sound smart and forever correcting their grammar. Yet Ted is truly the glue that holds the group together.