Overview

• Steve Burns revealed on Rainn Wilson’s Soul Boom podcast that internet rumors claiming he had died persisted for over a decade, worsening his clinical depression.
• The false death hoaxes began during Burns’s tenure on Blue’s Clues (1996–2002) and ranged from claims of a drug overdose to a car accident.
• Burns disclosed that his early seasons on Blue’s Clues paid so little that waiters he knew earned more than he did, despite the show’s success.
• The combination of financial struggles and public misconceptions led Burns to isolate himself for nearly a decade, battling depression and alcohol dependency.
• Burns has reclaimed his narrative in recent years, addressing the impact of the rumors and his mental health journey while continuing to engage with fans through the Blue’s Clues revival and social media.