Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably remember the panic. Steve Burns—the guy with the green striped shirt and the iconic "thinking chair"—was leaving Blue’s Clues. It felt like the end of an era. Then came Donovan Patton. He was "Joe," the energetic younger brother who had to fill the biggest shoes in preschool television.
Most people basically froze him in time right there. They see his face and immediately think of a 2D-animated blue dog. But if you look at Donovan Patton movies and tv shows across the last two decades, you’ll find a guy who’s quietly become one of the most reliable "chameleon" actors in the industry. He didn't just fade away after the Nickelodeon check cleared. He pivoted. Hard.
The "Happy Accident" That Started It All
Donovan didn't actually know what Blue’s Clues was when he auditioned. He was a waiter in New York who thought he was reading for a show about "the blues"—like, jazz and saxophones. He was up for a part in Blair Witch 2 at the same time. Life almost went in a very different, much scarier direction for him.
Instead, he beat out 1,500 other actors. Steve Burns actually helped train him, telling him to treat the show like real acting, not just "talking to kids." That advice stuck. Between 2002 and 2006, Patton filmed over 100 episodes, including the spin-off Blue’s Room. He brought a different energy—more impulsive, more "let's just try it" than Steve’s more methodical approach.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
Moving Into the Booth: Voice Acting Dominance
When the original Blue's Clues run ended in 2006, Patton didn't struggle for work; he just moved behind a microphone. You’ve likely heard him without even realizing it.
- Team Umizoomi: He voiced "Bot," the green robot with the "Belly Belly Belly Screen." He did all 80 episodes.
- Gabby’s Dollhouse: This is his current massive hit. He voices CatRat. If you have kids or nieces/nephews, you’ve definitely heard his sneaky, slightly sarcastic tone in that DreamWorks series.
- Clarence: He played Mr. Reese, the gruff, often stressed-out teacher on Cartoon Network. It’s a complete 180 from the cheery "Joe" persona.
His voice work isn't just for kids, though. Gamers have been hearing him for years. He’s in Grand Theft Auto V, Halo 5: Guardians, and God of War. One of his coolest roles is actually Gildun in the Horizon Zero Dawn and Forbidden West DLCs. He plays this overly optimistic, talkative Oseram delver who provides some much-needed levity in a post-apocalyptic world.
Why Donovan Patton Movies and TV Shows Are Often Surprising
Every now and then, Patton pops up in prestige dramas or gritty indies that make you double-take.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
In 2011, he appeared in Blue Bloods as a bellhop. He’s been in Nurse Jackie and Damages. These aren't huge roles, but they show a range that his "Joe" fans never got to see. He also starred in some pretty heavy independent films like The Broken Ones (2017) and the psychological thriller DieRy (2020).
Seeing the guy who taught you how to find paw prints playing a psychiatrist in a murder mystery (The Murder, 2019) is a trip. It's proof that he’s a classically trained actor—he graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy—who just happened to get famous for wearing a purple shirt with squares on it.
The Legacy of the "Middle Child"
Patton often calls himself the "middle child" of the Blue's Clues franchise. He came after Steve and before Josh (Joshua Dela Cruz). For a long time, he felt like the guy who was just "filling in."
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
But something changed around 2019. When the reboot Blue’s Clues & You! launched, Patton returned as Joe. Now, Joe is older, works at a present-wrapping store, and acts as a mentor to Josh. Seeing Steve, Donovan, and Josh all together in the 2022 movie Blue’s Big City Adventure was a massive nostalgia hit for three different generations of fans.
Recent and Upcoming Projects (2024-2026)
As of early 2026, Patton is busier than ever. He’s heavily involved in the Gabby's Dollhouse movie and continues to be a staple on the convention circuit. People aren't just coming to see "Joe" anymore; they're coming to talk to the guy who voiced their favorite video game characters or the hilarious CatRat.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re looking to dive back into his filmography, don’t just stick to the Nick Jr. stuff.
- Watch "The Broken Ones": If you want to see his dramatic range, this is the one. It’s a heavy look at mental health and family.
- Play "Horizon Forbidden West: Burning Shores": His performance as Gildun is genuinely some of his best character work. It's funny, heart-wrenching, and very "human."
- Check out "Gabby’s Dollhouse": Seriously. Even if you don't have kids, his comedic timing as CatRat is top-tier.
Donovan Patton managed to survive the "replacement" curse. Most actors who take over a beloved role are forgotten the second the show ends. He didn't just survive it—he built a twenty-year career that spans Shakespeare, slasher flicks, and some of the biggest video games in history.