“Blue's Clues” Star Steve Burns Discusses 'Manageable' Levels of Fame, Jokes That Paparazzi Only Ask for Selfies (Exclusive)

Steve Burns admits that he's often recognized by fans erstwhile he travels — but adds that his level of fame is "manageable."

In a caller question and reply pinch PEOPLE astir his forthcoming podcast, nan erstwhile Blue's Clues big says these days, he's astir often recognized for his societal media posts alternatively than nan 1996 show that first made him famous.

"I deliberation [I'm recognized more] from societal media astatine this point, you know, and I almost ne'er station thing and I don't cognize really to do it and I'm a Luddite astir it," Burns, 51, says pinch a laugh.

The former Blue's Clues star sewage his commencement connected Nickelodeon's deed show astatine 22 years old. The programme gained contiguous occurrence and reached No. 1 soon aft airing, and successful 2000, he abruptly near nan show erstwhile his characteristic went to college. He passed nan domiciled down to his younger brother, Joe, played by Donovan Patton.

Years later, Steve revealed nan truth down his departure, opening up astir nan soul struggles he was facing astatine nan time: "It was my occupation that time to supply America's children pinch self-esteem, but I didn't ever person my ain approval," he told Today in April 2024.

Still, those who grew up watching Burns successful his celebrated striped greenish garment often punctual him really typical nan show was pinch mini tokens of appreciation.

He adds that nan nickname comes pinch perks, saying that connected a caller travel to New York City, "I sewage worldly for free each time — a free coffee, a free sandwich, you know, and, and it's nan sweetest point imaginable because it is astir relating, accidentally, but relating to group arsenic adults from a spot of joyousness from their childhood."

"The group that utilized to watch nan show now activity successful hotels and successful nan work industry, you know, they're each adults who do stuff, truthful I get recognized — but it's not like... I've known immoderate celebrated people, and my life is not for illustration that," he adds. "I person a very marginalized, very manageable level of fame."

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So manageable, he adds, that connected a caller trip, Burns recovered his edifice surrounded by paparazzi — nary of whom tried to threat pics of him (save for a fewer selfies for their ain individual memories).

"I was staying astatine nan aforesaid edifice successful New York arsenic nan full formed of nan Fantastic Four," Burns shares. "And truthful each greeting I would spell out, time off nan hotel, and there'd beryllium like, you know, 40 paparazzi outside, and they'd each [hold up their cameras, past little them.] And a mates of them asked to get selfies, and I was like, 'Do you wanna usage your large camera?' And they're like, 'No.' "

He adds, "I wouldn't want to beryllium thing else, you know."

Burns' caller podcast — Alive, which debuted Sept, 17 from Lemonada Media — will spot him link pinch guests arsenic divers arsenic hospice nurses, elected officials and celebrities. New episodes will beryllium released play connected each platforms and video will beryllium disposable connected YouTube.