If you grew up in the 90s, you probably know about Steve Burns, host of the famous children’s show Blue’s Clues. The Show it aired from 1996 to 2006 on Nickelodeon and was a hit. However, Steve left the series in 2002 “to go to college” and his brother Joe, who was played by Donovan Patton, replaced him as host.
Steve’s departure was surrounded by myths, rumors and scandals, as it was said that he had died in a car accident. It was even commented that he overdosed on heroin. Fortunately, everything was forgotten with his return, but it was not until recently that the driver spoke about the real reasons for his departure.
In interview with Variety, Steve opened up about the real reason he left the Show and the consequences this had on his professional career.
I didn’t know it yet, but I was the happiest depressed person in America. I battled severe clinical depression the entire time I was on that show. My job was to be totally and completely filled with joy and wonder at all times, and that became impossible.
I was always able to dig and find something that felt authentic to me and was good enough to be on the show, but after years and years of going to the well without replenishing it, there was a cost. My strategy was: ‘Hey, you’ve got something great, so fight it!’ Turns out you don’t fight depression, you collect it.
In addition, Steve said that one of the other reasons for withdrawing was realizing that he “wasn’t going to be a kid anymore” because he began to lose hair, so he might have to wear a wig on camera.
The driver said he had gone through a “long healing period” and it wasn’t until his father’s death in 2015 that he really began to take things seriously. Right at that stage something incredible happened: Steve agreed to return to the role of him. Following his return, Nick Jr. posted a video with him to celebrate the show’s 25th anniversary. The video went viral, garnering millions of views and receiving thousands of positive comments.
The driver appreciated the opportunity to return to the scene and reminded everyone of the importance of mental health. In addition, he assured that Steve (from Blue’s Clues) became his role model. Because he is not afraid to ask for help, something that was hard for him to understand, but that today he does not stop practicing.