Longtime fans of Steve Burns know and love him as the cheerful, singing host of “Blue’s Clues.” Still, one year before becoming a Nickelodeon regular, he was making his professional acting debut as Kevin Jeffries on “Law & Order” Season 5, Episode 19 (“Cruel and Unusual”).
This installment of the long-running crime drama opens with Kevin trying to grab a random man’s watch on the street after inquiring about the time. He then does the same to a cop and lands himself in jail. While locked up, Kevin slams his head into the wall, ultimately causing his demise. An investigation ensues when it’s revealed that Kevin was autistic and receiving treatment at a behavioral clinic, from which he escaped. The clinic’s head Dr. Alan Colter (Lawrence Pressman), is soon investigated for abuse of patients.
Appearing in such a powerful drama seems more on course with Burns’ initial career goals. He told Variety that, at 22, he moved to New York to be “an Al Pacino-Dustin Hoffman hybrid.” Having “Law & Order” as the first line on his resume was undoubtedly impressive as he joined the likes of Sarah Paulson, Adam Driver, and other big names who got their start on the show (via E! News). Burns never envisioned himself helming a children’s program in a bright green shirt, but he’s okay with the course change.
“… even at the first audition [for ‘Blue’s Clues’], there was a thing that I loved: this idea of talking to the camera, like a Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton thing,” he said. “I thought the interactivity was really a breakthrough. I used to call it ‘The Rocky Horror Children’s Show.'”
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