Burns never anticipated becoming a memorable children's TV host when he first launched his career. As he described it during a 2011 guest spot on The Moth true-story monologue outlet (seen here on YouTube), "I moved to New York to be Serpico," Burns said. "I was either going to fail privately, or I was going to be Al Pacino — that was it. ... I wasn't expecting any of this. I didn't even know any children when I moved to New York."
Burns was a theater major from Pennsylvania who was hoping for a serious dramatic career (per The New York Times). He had a few small roles in shows like "Law & Order." When he auditioned for "Blue's Clues," he assumed it was a voice-over part for an animated series. The producers were impressed with his voice, but not his look. As Burns described it to the Times, he was "a bit of a skate rat," complete with long hair and earring. The show's co-creator Traci Page Johnson called Burns's agent to say that his client was getting a call-back, but only on the condition that he lose the grunge.
A haircut, shave and clothing change later, Burns showed up to the second round and wowed the test audiences. As Johnson explained on a "Blue's" anniversary special (via Mental Floss), "There was something about this kid fresh out of Pennsylvania. He knew just how to look into the camera and talk to the kids."
