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.
Also recorded as Steven Michael Burns
Steve Burns

John Manard · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Birth Name
- Steven Michael Burns
- Born
- 9 October 1973
- Birthplace
- Boyertown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
- Education
- DeSales University
- Occupation
- * Actor
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- indie rock
- Languages
- American English
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
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.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
Steve Burns (born 1973) is an actor, entertainer and guitarist, among other activities, of American nationality. The actor was born in Boyertown. Steve Burns was educated at DeSales University and Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts.
The work spans indie rock. Languages used include American English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
VALÉORINE
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Steve Burns. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q456219 · wikipedia · Steve Burns
In this article
Biography
Biography
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.
Key facts
Key facts
• Birth Name — Steven Michael Burns • Born — 9 October 1973 • Birthplace — Boyertown, Pennsylvania, U.S. • Education — DeSales University • Occupation — * Actor • musician • television host • Years Active — 1994–present 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
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 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
Blue's Clues
In 1994, Burns auditioned for Blue's Clues, thinking it was a voice-over role for a game show. He modeled his audition performance after Christopher Walken. He had long hair and an earring. "I was a bit of a skate rat," he said. 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 yourself 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 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." Blue's Clues premiered on September 8, 1996, on Nick Jr. and was an instant hit due to Burns's performances as much as the show's format. He became "a superstar" among his audience and their parents, but unknown to everyone else, and 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 Muppet, blush." In 2000, People included Burns in their annual list of America's most eligible bachelors. 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." The show was filmed in a studio in Tribeca, Manhattan. Burns became "very involved" with the production of Blue's Clues from the beginning. One of the most challenging aspects of hosting the show was performing on the "blue screen" before the animation was added. Burns called it "maddening" and likened it to "acting at the bottom of a swimming pool".
Departure
Departure
• Illustration — Donovan Patton ("Joe" on Blue's Clues, left) and Burns at 2024 Rose City Comic Con at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon After almost six years and nearly 100 episodes, Burns announced he was leaving Blue's Clues in January 2001. In his final episodes, which aired as a three-part special on April 29, 2002, "Steve" leaves for college and introduces new host Donovan Patton as his younger brother, Joe. 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." Burns went on by saying, "I knew I wasn't going to be doing children's television all my life, mostly because I refused to lose my hair on a kid's TV show, and it was happening, fast." The day following the filming of his final episode for the show, he shaved his head – something that he wanted to do for several years, but the show's producers would not allow. 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, and he and co-creator Angela Santomero appeared on The Today Show to help concerned parents extinguish the fears of kids who may have heard these rumors. Burns consulted on the casting for the revival of Blue's Clues, titled Blue's Clues & You! and hosted by Josh Dela Cruz. 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
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. He posted eleven songs on his webpage and then realizing he needed help with drums and arrangements went to Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips for advice. Drozd assisted Burns with six tracks, Lips bassist Michael Ivins engineered the album, and longtime Lips producer Dave Fridmann produced it. One of the songs from the album, "Mighty Little Man", is used as the opening theme for the CBS series Young Sheldon. 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. • Illustration — Burns, c. 2008 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. In March 2012, he appeared in the YouTube comedy series The Professionals. 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". Burns made a guest appearance on Tim Kubart's 2018 children's album Building Blocks.
Podcast
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
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.
TV series
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
TV specials
• The 42nd Annual New York Emmy Awards – himself/presenter • Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade – himself
Video games
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
Shorts
• Blue's Birthday – himself • La lecon – Arthur Knudson • The Bill (2001) – Bill • Hot Pants – Ben
Stage
Stage
• Amadeus – Mozart • The Comedy of Errors – Dromio • Steve Burns: Alive (2026) - himself (also co-writer)
Movies
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
Documentaries
• The Fearless Freaks – himself • I Love You, You Hate Me – himself
Identity and origins
Identity and origins
The authorities additionally record the heading Steven Michael Burns. His recorded language was American English. His recorded confession was Catholicism.
Identity
Identity
Steve Burns is recorded as actor, guitarist, entertainer and podcaster.
Discography
• Songs for Dustmites (2003) • Deep Sea Recovery Efforts (2009) (as Steve Burns and the Struggle) • Foreverywhere (2017) (with Steven Drozd, as STEVENSTEVEN)
Literature
Scholarly footprint
A count of publications is evidence of attention, not of standing, and is given here only as a measure.
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Today in History: October 9. NBC News. October 9, 2005.
- 2.Jayswal, Palak. At FanX, 'Blue's Clues' Star Steve Burns Gets Nostalgic. The Salt Lake Tribune. September 24, 2022.
- 3.Steve Burns. CAA Speakers.
- 4.Mr. Joseph E. Burns Jr. Obituary. klotzbachfuneralhomes.com.
- 5.Hatza, George. Burning Up the Stage. www2.ReadingEagle.com. Reading Eagle Company. June 24, 2007.
- 6.Norris, Chris. Me and You and a Dog Named Blue. SPIN. February 9, 2004.
- 7.Iovine, Julie V. At Home with—Steven Burns; A Few Clues in Brooklyn. The New York Times. November 18, 1999.
- 8.Creating Immediacy with Steve Burns from Blue's Clues. February 26, 2022.
- 9.Jim Forbes (narrator). Behind the Clues: 10 Years of Blue. Nickelodeon. July 27, 2006.
- 10.Questions and Answers: Steve Burns. Newsweek. July 8, 2000.
- 11.Tracy, Diane. Blue's Clues for Success: The 8 Secrets Behind a Phenomenal Business. Kaplan Publishing. 46. 2002. 079315376X.
- 12.Moore, Frazier. Success of 'Blue's Clues' Is No Mystery. SouthCoastToday.com. June 15, 1998.
- 13.Kiesewetter, John. 'Blue's Clues' Puts on New Host, New Shirts. The Cincinnati Enquirer. 29 April 2002.
- 14.Mifflin, Lawrie. The Joy of Repetition, Repetition, Repetition. The New York Times. August 3, 1997.
- 15.Griffin Media. Steve Burns to Leave 'Blue's Clues'. NewsOn6.com. January 2, 2001.
- 16.Blue's Clues' Steve Turns in Green Striped Shirt. CNN.com. January 2001.
- 17.Gay, Jason. Wild Man Blues Clues. The New York Observer. May 13, 2002.
- 18.Norris, Chris. 'Blue's Clues' Host Steve Burns on How the Flaming Lips Changed His Life. Spin. June 22, 2019.
- 19.Burns, Steve. Frequently Asked Questions. StevesWebpage.com.
- 20.Mikkelson, Barbara. Demise and Shine. Snopes.com. August 5, 2007.
- 21.D'Angelo, Joe. Ex-'Blue's Clues' Host Steve Burns an Indie Rocker at Heart. MTV.com. April 30, 2002.
- 22.Bradley, Bill. Steve Burns Finally Confirms Why He Left 'Blue's Clues'. Huffington Post. December 15, 2012.
- 23.Hailu, Selome. Steve Comes Home: How the 'Blue's Clues' Host Overcame Death Rumors and Depression to Return to His Beloved TV Pup. Variety. November 16, 2022.
- 24.Carras, Christi. 'Blue's Clues' Reboot Finds New Host in Joshua Dela Cruz. The Hollywood Reporter. September 13, 2018.
- 25.Cai, Delia. Three Generations of Blue's Clues Hosts Are Still Cool with Being Your Best Friend. Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. December 13, 2022.
- 26.Jacobs, Meredith. 'Blue's Clues & You!': Nickelodeon Reveals Premiere Date & Returning Hosts (Video). TV Insider. August 26, 2019.
- 27.Onstad, Katrina. 'Blue's Clues' Returns, and Silence Is Still the Star (Published 2019). The New York Times. 6 November 2019.
- 28.Nick Jr. Channel. So about that time Steve went off to college. #BluesClues25 https://t.co/O8NOM2eRjy. 1435332689532440579. September 7, 2021.
- 29.May, Tiffany. First Host of 'Blue's Clues' Returns, Striking a Chord with Grown-Ups. The New York Times. September 8, 2021. 0362-4331.
- 30.Cohen, Li. "I Never Forgot You": Steve from "Blue's Clues" Is Back Two Decades Later with a Message to Millennials. CBS News. September 8, 2021.
- 31.Anders, Caroline. 25 Years Later, Steve from 'Blue's Clues' Has a Message for Fans: 'I Never Forgot You'. The Washington Post. September 8, 2021. 0190-8286.
- 32.Fallon, Kevin. Why Is Everyone Freaking out About 'Blue's Clues' Host Steve?. The Daily Beast. September 10, 2021.
- 33.Wiiliams, Liam. Young Sheldon's Theme Song Is by Steve from Blue's Clues, of All People. TVGuide.com. November 21, 2017.
- 34.Mathews, Liam. Blue's Clues Star Steve Burns Is Young Sheldon's Weird New 'Friend' in This Sneak Peek. MSN. January 7, 2020.
- 35.Harris, Chris. Former 'Blue's Clues' Host Steve Burns: Still Not Dead. MTV.com. November 2, 2007.
- 36.The Professionals.
- 37.Schoof, Dustin. Former 'Blue's Clues' Host Steve Burns to Appear in 'The Comedy of Errors' at DeSales University. LeighValleyLive.com. Advance Local Media. June 14, 2011.
- 38.Cristi, A.A. Grammy Winner Tim Kubart Releases 'Building Blocks' on September 28. Broadway World News. September 7, 2018.
- 39.Gupta, Alisha Haridasani. Can Steve From 'Blue's Clues' be a 'Counterweight' to the Manosphere?. The New York Times. 2025-06-26. 0362-4331.
- 40.Rosenbloom, Alli. Steve Burns, original host of 'Blue's Clues,' is launching a podcast for 'grown-ups'. CNN. 2025-06-25.
- 41."Alive with Steve Burns." Lemonada Media.
- 42."'Blue's Clues' Actor Steve Burns Announces New Podcast with Surprising Celebrity Guest." People. September 3, 2025.
- 43."'Blue's Clues' for adults! Original star Steve Burns launching 'continuation' of show as podcast." Entertainment Weekly. June 25, 2025.
- 44."Alive with Steve Burns." Apple Podcasts.
- 45."'Blue's Clues' Actor Steve Burns Announces New Podcast with Surprising Celebrity Guest." People. September 3, 2025.
- 46."Alive with Steve Burns." Apple Podcasts.
- 47."Alive with Steve Burns." Lemonada Media.
- 48."Nominees Announced for Sixth Annual Ambie Awards." The Podcast Academy. January 21, 2026.
- 49."Ambies 2026 Nominations." Podnews. January 22, 2026.
- 50.Gould, Jennifer. 'Blue's Clues' Star Steve Burns Lists Hipster Mansion for $3.3M. New York Post. News Corp. November 12, 2020.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedreference work
Partially resolved
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 15 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,409 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Steve BoxPerson
- Steve BoyumPerson
- Steve BridgesPerson
- Steve BrodiePerson
- Steve BurtonPerson
- Steve BuscemiPerson
- Steve ByersPerson
- Steve CardenasPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Steve Burns?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.