Steven Zirnkilton
Steve Zirnkilton (born Stephen Morgan Zirnkilton; August 18, 1958) is an American voice actor and former politician from Maine. Zirnkilton is best known for providing the opening narration of all U.S. series in the "Law & Order" franchise. Early life and education. Zirnkilton grew up in York, Pennsylvania and spent summers in Maine. He graduated from New England College and began working for radio station WDEA in Ellsworth, Maine upon graduation. He later settled in Seal Harbor, Maine. Zirnkilton received a Legislative Sentiment for his work from Maine State Representative Chris Greeley. Career. Politics. Zirnkilton, a Republican, served for  eight years (four terms) in the Maine House of Representatives from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1992 to 1994. He represented part of Hancock County, Maine, including his residence in the village of Seal Harbor in the town Mount Desert. During his final term in the House of Representatives, Zirnkilton served in leadership as Assistant Minority Leader. In 1994, when then-Congresswoman Olympia Snowe decided not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives for Maine's 2nd congressional district, Zirnkilton sought to replace her. Zirnkilton lost the primary to fellow State Representative Richard A. Bennett, who  eventually lost the general election to State Senator John Baldacci. Zirnkilton also provides voiceovers for political ads, notably during Susan Collins's re-election campaign in 2014. Acting. Zirnkilton is known for providing the opening narration of all US shows in the "Law & Order" franchise. He was hired by series creator Dick Wolf. Zirnkilton has also provided voices for "Family Guy" and "The Rugrats Movie". He was a narrator for "Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Boston Red Sox". Zirnkilton narrated "Ruby Ridge: Anatomy of a Tragedy" on Investigation Discovery. He also provided the voice-over for a  Sky One advertisement for the channel's "Law & Order" airings. Zirnkilton was the narrator for TLC's "Code Blue: New Orleans" and the syndicated series "Arrest & Trial". He has been the announcer for the Kennedy Center Honors, and for the past seventeen years he has been the onstage announcer for the "Top Cops Awards" in Washington, D.C.