Career
Zirnkilton is known for providing the opening narration of all United States shows in the Law & Order franchise. He received the job after he was originally hired by series creator Dick Wolf for a small part on Law & Order. Zirnkilton has also provided voices for Family Guy and The Rugrats Movie.
He was a narrator for Faith Rewarded: The Historic Season of the 2004 Boston Red Sox, as well as Ruby Ridge: Anatomy of a Tragedy on Investigation Discovery.
He also provided the voice-over for a Sky One advertisement for the channel"s Law & Order airings. He was the narrator for TLC"s Code Blue and the syndicated series Arrest & Trial.
Zirnkilton grew up in York, Pennsylvania and spent summers in Maine. He graduated from New England College and began working for radio station WDEA in Ellsworth, Maine upon graduation.
He later settled in Seal Harbor, Maine.
Zirnkilton received a Legislative Sentiment for his work, from Maine State Representative Chris Greeley. In 1994, he unsuccessfully ran for Congress. Zirnkilton, a Republican, served for eight years (four terms) in the Maine House of Representatives from 1982 to 1988 and again from 1992 to 1994.
He represented part of Hancock County, Maine, including his residence in the village of Seal Harbor in the town Mount Desert.
During his final term in the House of Representatives, Zirnkilton served in leadership as Assistant Minority Leader. In 1994, when then Congresswoman Olympia Snowe decided not to seek re-election to the United States. House of Representatives for Maine"s 2nd congressional district, Zirnkilton sought to replace her.
Zirnkilton lost the primary to fellow State Representative Richard A. Bennett, who eventually lost the general election to State Senator John Baldacci.
