If you’ve spent more than five minutes in a house with a toddler since 2014, you know the hat. The orange and blue beanie. The matching bow tie. The high-pitched giggling that either makes you smile or sends you reaching for the noise-canceling headphones. Blippi isn’t just a character; he’s a global economy. But a few years ago, something shifted. Parents worldwide looked at their screens and collectively asked: Wait, who is that guy?
The man behind the glasses, Stevin John, didn't just disappear. He didn't get "canceled" in some secret Hollywood basement, and he certainly didn't stop being involved in the brand. Instead, he brought in Clayton Grimm.
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It was a move that sparked the infamous #NotMyBlippi hashtag. It also changed the way kids' media works forever.
The Stevin John Era: From Air Force to Orange Suspenders
Before he was jumping into ball pits, Stevin John was Stephen John Grossman. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a loadmaster. It’s a far cry from singing about garbage trucks, but that logistical background probably helped when he decided to build a media empire from scratch.
The idea for Blippi came to him in 2013. He was watching his two-year-old nephew struggle to find decent content on YouTube—it was all low-quality, weirdly paced stuff. John saw a gap. He spent hours researching what kids liked: bright colors, high energy, and simple, repetitive educational hooks.
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He did everything himself at the start. He was the actor, the cameraman, and the guy sitting at the laptop at 2:00 a.m. editing videos. By the time Moonbug Entertainment bought the brand in 2020, Stevin John wasn't just a YouTuber. He was a mogul. But being a mogul is exhausting. You can’t be in three places at once, and Blippi needed to be everywhere.
Enter Clayton Grimm: The "New" Blippi
Clayton Grimm didn't just stumble onto the set. He’s a classically trained actor who studied at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. If you look at his resume, you’ll see Shakespeare and stage combat—skills that, surprisingly, translate well to the physical comedy required to keep a four-year-old’s attention.
In 2019, the brand needed a Blippi for the live national tour. Stevin John couldn't spend six months on a tour bus while also filming new episodes for YouTube. Grimm got the job.
Honestly, the transition was rocky. Parents who bought tickets to see "Blippi" felt bait-and-switched when they saw a different man under the orange hat. It wasn't until May 2021 that Grimm made his official debut on the main YouTube channel. The reaction was... intense. People hate change. Even if that change is just a slightly different jawline on a man singing about the alphabet.
Why have two Blippis?
It’s basically the "Spider-Verse" approach to toddlers.
- Scale: The brand produces content in dozens of languages.
- Sustainability: Stevin John became a father in 2022. He wanted to step back from the grueling filming schedule.
- Longevity: Characters like Mickey Mouse outlive their creators. By introducing Clayton Grimm, Moonbug ensured Blippi could live forever, regardless of who is wearing the suspenders.
The Real Difference Between Stevin and Clayton
If you watch closely—and let’s be real, if you’re a parent, you’ve watched these videos enough to memorize the grain of the floorboards—there are distinct vibes.
Stevin John’s Blippi is the "OG." He has a certain chaotic, DIY energy. He’s the guy who pioneered the "woo-hoo!" and the specific way Blippi walks. Clayton Grimm, on the other hand, brings a more theatrical polish. His movements are a bit more precise, his singing a bit more "Broadway."
Interestingly, the kids mostly don't care. Research into child development suggests that for preschoolers, the visual markers (the hat, the glasses, the colors) are more important than the specific facial features of the actor. It’s the parents who usually have the "identity crisis" on behalf of their children.
Is Stevin John Still Blippi?
Yes. Kind of.
As of 2026, the roles have settled into a comfortable rhythm. Stevin John still appears in special episodes and major milestones. He remains the creative heart of the brand. Clayton Grimm has taken over the lion's share of the day-to-day "Learn with Blippi" episodes and the Netflix specials.
There's even a third Blippi now—Ben Mayer—who joined the "Blippi-verse" to help handle the massive demand for content. It's a franchise now, not just a guy with a camera.
What parents should actually know
- Stevin John is fine. He’s focusing on his family and the business side of the brand.
- Clayton Grimm is a pro. He’s been playing the character for over five years now. He isn't a "replacement"; he's a partner.
- The content is the same. The educational goals and the safety standards haven't changed just because the actor did.
Moving Forward With the Blippi-Verse
If you’re still feeling weird about the actor swap, try looking at it through the lens of theater. You wouldn't expect the same actor to play Hamlet for 50 years. Blippi has become a mantle. It’s a role that requires a specific kind of joy, and both men bring that in spades.
Instead of worrying about who is under the hat, focus on the engagement. If your child is learning their colors and getting excited about science, the brand is doing its job.
Next Steps for Parents:
Check the "Blippi & Friends" credits if you’re curious about which actor you’re watching. You might find that your child actually prefers Clayton’s high-energy musicality or Stevin’s classic, laid-back curiosity. Use the "two Blippis" as a way to talk to your kids about how different people can do the same job in their own unique way. It’s a small, real-world lesson hidden inside a world of orange and blue.