Steven Zirnkilton

Steven Zirnkilton or 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 American television 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 1983 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. Serving in the 43rd District from 1983 to 1984 and then the 124th from 1985 to 1988 and then again from 1993 to 1994.

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 American shows in the Law & Order franchise. He was hired by series creator Dick Wolf and appeared in a pilot episode of the series. 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. Currently he narrates Blood & Money on Oxygen and CNBC. He has also been the announcer for the Kennedy Center Honors, and for the past twenty-three years he has been the onstage announcer for the Top Cops Awards in Washington, D.C.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 The Rugrats Movie ReporterVoice 2004 Law & Order: The First 3 Years Opening Narrator DVD bonus feature Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Boston Red Sox Narrator DocumentaryRuby RidgeNarratorDocumentary 2008 The Stag Hunt Narrator Short 2013 Summer Colony NarratorShort 2015 Toy Soldier Voice 2016 Too Cold to Swim Motel Clerk

Television Year Title Role Notes 1990–present Law & Order Narrator Contract role 1997 Duckman Opening Narrator Voice, episode: "Das Sub" 1999–present Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Opening Narrator Contract role 2000–2001 Arrest & Trial Narrator TV series documentary / nontraditional court show 2000–2002 Code Blue: New Orleans Narrator TV series documentary 2001–2011 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Opening Narrator Contract role 2002–2004 Crime & Punishment Narrator TV series documentary / nontraditional court show 2003 Dragnet Narrator Episode: "The Silver Slayer" 2004 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Voice Episode: "Episode #12.209" 2005 Family Guy Opening Narrator Voice, episode: "Fast Times at Buddy Cianci Jr. High" 2005–2006 Law & Order: Trial by Jury Opening Narrator Contract role 2010–2011 Law & Order: Los Angeles Opening Narrator Contract role 2017 Inside the FBI: New York Narrator Documentary series; 6 episodes 2021–present Law & Order: Organized Crime Opening Narrator Contract role 2022 Murderville Opening Narrator Contract role 2023 Blood & Money Narrator Contract role 2024–present Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent Opening Narrator Contract role