Prior to "Northern Exposure", Burrows apppeared in several feature films: "976-EVIL" (1988), Brian DePalma's "Casualties of War" (1989), "Class of 1999" (1990), and John Waters' "Cry-Baby". With the exception of "Cry-baby", Burrows' roles were generally small and undistinguished, and his characters in exceedingly unpleasant situations. He has also had parts in short-lived shows like "TV 101" and "Hard Time on Planet Earth". Though he is not usually the focus of "Northern Exposure" episodes, he is usually clad in a leather jacket, observing without judgment as he files away material for his ongoing project of documenting his very special environment.