Steve Burns

**Stephen Michael "Steve" Burns** (born October 9, 1973 in Boyertown, Pennsylvania) is an American actor, singer, musician and television host best known for his role on the long-running children's television series *Blue's Clues*. He was the first host on *Blue's Clues*, from September 8, 1996 to April 29, 2002. He did make a guest appearance in the 100th Episode Celebration and voice cameo in Blue's First Holiday after his departure. He eventually returned as the same character in *Blue's Clues & You!*, as well as a writer, director, and consulting producer. Burns has also done extensive voiceover work for advertising, and is currently the voice of the Snickers satisfies advertising campaign. He appeared in a documentary called Behind The Clues: 10 Years of Blue.

## Early Life

﻿Steve was born in Boyertown, Pennsylvania. He played in bands called Sudden Impact US, Nine Pound Truck, and the Ivys (which he has called a "Morrissey rip-off band") while in high school and college. He studied theatre under an acting scholarship at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley. He dropped out of school and moved to New York City to become a professional actor. He lived in a basement apartment near Times Square, finding his first success as a voice-over artist for ads and making appearances on *Homicide: Life on the Street* and *Law & Order*.

## Blue's Clues

In 1995, Burns auditioned for *Blue's Clues*, thinking it was some sort of voice-over thing. He showed up with long hair and an earring, later commenting that he was a bit of a skate rat. Initially, the Nickelodeon executives were not supportive of Burns hosting their new show; in subsequent auditions the show's creators requested that he dress more conservatively. Burns reported that the creators, in a call-back phone conversation, asked him, Could you not look like you tomorrow morning? It became apparent, however, that he was the favorite with preschool test audiences. Executive producer and co creator Traci Paige Johnson reported that of the 100 people they auditioned, Burns was the realest. As Dr. Alice Wilder, Nickelodeon's Director of Research and Development, said, “There was just something about this kid, who was fresh out of Pennsylvania, who just knew where to look in the camera to really talk to kids. He was just right.”

From its premiere, *Blue's Clues* was an instant hit, due to Steve Burns' performances as much as the show's format. He became a superstar among his audience and their parents, but unknown to everyone else. However, he enjoyed what he called being a micro-celebrity, about as small a celebrity as you can be. As *The New York Times* reported, he developed an avid following among both preteen girls and mothers. The former send torrents of e-mail, the latter scrutinize the show with an intensity that might make even Elmo, the red monster of Sesame Street, blush. In 2000, *People* magazine included Burns in their annual list of America's most eligible bachelors.

Burns became very involved with the production of *Blue's Clues* from the beginning. One of the most challenging aspects of being the host of the show was performing in front of the blue screen before the animation was added. Burns called it maddening and likened it to acting at the bottom of a swimming pool.

Burns announced that he would be departing *Blue's Clues* in January 2002. He was replaced by Donovan Patton later that year, playing his younger brother Joe who then departed in 2007. Steve felt it was time to move on as well as he was balding.

## List of Episodes Written

#### Season 2

* Welcome to Blue's Bistro
* Blue's Night Before Christmas
* Blue's Beach Bonanza

#### Season 3

* The Ghost of the Living Room
* Blue's Storytime with Camila
* Joshini The Amazing

#### Season 4

* Knights of the Snack Table
* The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair

## List of Episodes Directed

#### Season 1

* Playdate with Magenta (co-directed with M.R. Horhager)
* Big News with Blue (co-directed with Jennifer Sherman)

#### Season 2

* Welcome to Blue's Bistro (co-directed with M.R. Horhager)
* Blue's Night Before Christmas (co-directed with M.R. Horhager)
* Blue's Beach Bonanza (co-directed with Jennifer Sherman)

#### Season 4

* The Case of the Missing Thinking Chair (co-directed with Jennifer Sherman)

## Filmography

**TV series**

* Blue's Clues – Himself (also producer, co-producer, and consulting producer on some episode)
* Blue's Clues & You! – Himself (also directed and wrote several episodes)
* Figure It Out – Himself, panelist (1999)
* Homicide: Life on the Street – David Tarnofski
* Jack's Big Music Show - Himself/performer along with Steven Drozd - episode:"Ground Hog Day"
* Law & Order – Kevin Jeffries
* Roll Play – Narrator (also art director and story editor)
* The Bedtime Business Song – Himself
* The Early Show – Himself
* The Panel – Himself
* The Professionals – Investor X
* The Rosie O'Donnell Show – Himself
* The VeggieTales Show - Himself
* Today – Himself
* Yes, Dear – Himself
* Yo Gabba Gabba! – Himself
* Young Sheldon – Theme song performer, Nathan

## Trivia

* He has two albums out which he created with an indie rock band called the Flaming Lips. The first album Steve recorded with them was called *Songs For Dustmites*, which came out in 2003.
	+ Steve got with the Flaming Lips again to make his second album, Deep Sea Recovery Efforts in 2009.
	+ He actually has three albums made with the third one being *Foreverywhere* which came out in 2017 underneath the band name StevenSteven which consists of Burns and Steven Drozd from the Flaming Lips. There is also an audiobook that goes along with it that came out in 2019 and is an Audible exclusive.
* Because of him not being on the show anymore, rumors were rife that Burns was actually dead, but he is alive.
	+ Back in 1999, there were rumors that Steve was in an accident. The Blue's Clues site added that matter to the FAQ to confirm that he was just fine.
* Since he left the show, he has notably appeared in the movie *Netherbeast Incorporated* and has made an appearance on another Nick Jr./Noggin show, Jack's Big Music Show.
* Steve currently lives in a pad and had a camping tent for a bedroom.
* He has a dog named Mickey, just for nostalgia.
* He also appears in Young Sheldon as Nathan.
* Steve also appears in the game show called Figure It Out, in which he was about to get slimed.
* In an interview panel, Steve says that Mr. Salt is his favorite Blue's Clues character, with Side Table Drawer being his second favorite.
* Steve even appears in Big Idea show, "The VeggieTales Show".