Steve Burns Speaking Fee: $20,000 to $30,000

Steve Burns is an American actor and television host best known as the original host of the long-running children's preschool television program Blue's Clues from 1996 until 2002, for which he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. The series was rebooted as Blue's Clues and You, with Burns serving as a frequent writer, director, and producer. As a musician, he collaborates with Grammy award winners The Flaming Lips, with whom he released the critically acclaimed albums Songs for Dustmites and Foreverywhere, an album for children. Burns also wrote and performs the theme song for Young Sheldon on CBS. He is a frequent host and storyteller for NPR's The Moth. Burns appeared in videos for the 25-year anniversary of Blue's Clues, including a widely watched Twitter video in which he – in character as the host of the show – explained reassuringly that he had never forgotten the viewers after leaving to go to college, and marveled at how much each of them had experienced since then. His return was unexpectedly profound and "struck a chord among many viewers, raising feelings of nostalgia and childhood comfort, especially juxtaposed with global crises like the coronavirus pandemic and extreme weather linked to climate change" (The New York Times). In less than 24 hours, the video had over 30 million views and today stands at over 100 million views and counting. As a speaker, Burns refines and re-examines the message of empowerment and exceptionalism he delivered to a generation of children, carrying the thoughtful, care-driven conversation he began in their childhoods into their adulthoods as they navigate the demands and realities of growing up.