Steve Burns

Steven Michael Burns (born October 9, 1973) is an American actor, musician, and television host. He is best known for portraying a fictional version of himself as the host of the children's television series Blue's Clues from 1996 until 2002, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2001. He has also done extensive voice-over work for advertising, including the "Snickers satisfies" advertising campaign.

Following his departure from Blue's Clues, Burns focused on his music career, releasing the solo albums Songs for Dustmites (2003) and Deep Sea Recovery Efforts (2009). He later formed the children's music band STEVENSTEVEN with longtime collaborator Steven Drozd, releasing the album Foreverywhere in 2017.

Burns reprised his role on the 2019 reboot Blue's Clues & You! as a recurring character and cousin of the franchise's new host, Josh Dela Cruz. He also wrote and directed several episodes of the rebooted series until its cancellation in 2024.

Early life and career Steven Michael Burns was born on October 9, 1973, in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, to Joseph Burns Jr. (1938–2015) and Janet Burns (née Petaccio). He has two older sisters named Karen and Jennifer. His father served in the U.S. Navy and later became the human resources director of Safeguard Business Systems. He attended Boyertown Area Senior High School in Berks County, graduating in 1992.

During his high school and college years, Burns played in several bands: Sudden Impact US, Nine Pound Truck, and the Ivys, the latter of which he called a "Morrissey rip-off band". He studied theatre under an acting scholarship at DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Valley, where he was discovered by an agent. He dropped out of school and moved to New York City to become a professional actor. He had long hair and an earring. "I was a bit of a skate rat," he said. 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". According to writer Diane Tracy, Burns was "destined for the part". Also, according to Tracy, Burns was not the typical children's television host: "There is nothing syrupy about him—his humor is sometimes borderline offbeat, but never inappropriate for preschoolers." Burns became "very involved" with the production of Blue's Clues from the beginning. Burns called it "maddening"

Departure

After almost six years and nearly 100 episodes, Burns announced he was leaving Blue's Clues in January 2001.

According to Johnson, Burns never wanted to become a "children's host". He loved kids, but stated, "he could not make a life-long career out of it." He explained in a 2016 interview that "a lot of the original people on the show, like the people who created it, were all moving on to other careers. It just felt like time." In a 2022 Variety interview, Burns revealed that he suffered from clinical depression while on the show.

Burns's departure led to the resurfacing of rumors that had circulated about him since 1998, including death from a heroin overdose, being killed in a car accident, and (similar to rumors about Paul McCartney in 1966) being replaced with a look-alike. Burns made an appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to dispel these rumors, He and Patton reprised their roles in the premiere episode to welcome their "cousin" Josh, as well as on a recurring basis for the rest of the series. Burns and Patton also made prominent appearances in the Paramount+ movie Blue's Big City Adventure in 2022. In addition, Burns wrote and directed several episodes of the revival.

Burns appeared in videos for the twenty-fifth anniversary of the premiere of Blue's Clues in 2021, including a widely watched Twitter video on Nick Jr.'s Twitter account in which he – in character as the host of the show – explained reassuringly that he had never forgotten the viewers after leaving to go to college, and marveling at how much each of them had experienced since then.

Music, film & television career After leaving Blue's Clues in 2002, Burns began working on material for his first album, Songs for Dustmites. The album was released by PIAS Recordings in August 2003. Burns made several appearances on the series beginning in January 2022, playing a Star Trek enthusiast whom the title character meets.

Burns started a band, Steve Burns and the Struggle, and completed his second album, Deep Sea Recovery Efforts, which was released in 2009. Members of the Struggle include Drozd and Ryan Smith of A Million Billion.

Burns acted in the 2007 horror-comedy film Netherbeast Incorporated with Darrell Hammond and Dave Foley, playing the part of a vampire. In 2008, he played an astronaut in Christmas on Mars, a science fiction film from the Flaming Lips.

He appeared in DeSales University's production of Amadeus as the title character in 2007 and also appeared in The Comedy of Errors.

In late 2016, Burns released a children's album with Drozd, titled Foreverywhere under the name "STEVENSTEVEN". They released a video of the album's first song, "The Unicorn and Princess Rainbow".

Podcast In June 2025, it was announced that Burns would be starting a podcast for adults called Alive. Produced in partnership with Lemonada Media, the weekly series premiered on September 17, 2025.

The podcast is aimed at an adult audience, particularly those who grew up watching Burns on Blue's Clues, and focuses on reflective conversations about topics such as mental health, relationships, and broader questions about modern life. Burns has described the project as a continuation of the interactive and emotionally supportive tone of Blue's Clues, adapted for adulthood.

Episodes typically feature one-on-one conversations with guests from a variety of backgrounds, including academics, creators, and public figures, with an emphasis on open dialogue and shared exploration of complex issues. The show has been characterized as “funny, tender, and just a little weird,” and structured around the idea of listening and engaging with the audience rather than presenting definitive answers.

In 2026, Burns was nominated for an Ambie Award (Awards for Excellence in Audio) in the category of Best Podcast Host or Hosts for his work on the show.

Personal life After residing in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for much of his adult life, Burns told the New York Post in 2020 that he had been living mostly near the Catskill Mountains for the past four years.

Filmography TV series Blue's Clues – himself (also producer, co-producer, and consulting producer on some episodes) Blue's Clues & You! – himself, Mapbook (voice) (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 Little Bear – Mr. Skunk (voice; uncredited) – episode: "The Painting/The Kiss/The Wedding" The Bedtime Business Song – himself The Early Show – himself The Panel – himself The Professionals – Investor X The Rosie O'Donnell Show – himself Today – himself Yes, Dear – himself (uncredited) – episode: "Arm-prins" Young Sheldon – theme song performer, Nathan

TV specials The 42nd Annual New York Emmy Awards – himself/presenter Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – himself

Video games Blue's 123 Time Activities – himself Blue's ABC Time Activities – himself Blue's Alphabet Book - himself Blue's Art Time Activities – himself Blue's Big Musical – himself Blue's Birthday Adventure – himself Blue's Reading Time Activities – himself Blue's Treasure Hunt – himself

Shorts Blue's Birthday – himself La lecon – Arthur Knudson The Bill (2001) – Bill Hot Pants – Ben

Stage Amadeus – Mozart The Comedy of Errors – Dromio Steve Burns: Alive (2026) - himself (also co-writer)

Movies Blue's Big Musical Movie – himself Christmas on Mars – Major Lowell Marie and Bruce – Fred Netherbeast Incorporated – Otto Granberry Who Framed Jesus – The Narrator Blue's Big City Adventure – himself

Documentaries The Fearless Freaks – himself I Love You, You Hate Me – himself

Discography Songs for Dustmites (2003) Deep Sea Recovery Efforts (2009) (as Steve Burns and the Struggle) Foreverywhere (2017) (with Steven Drozd, as STEVENSTEVEN)