STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — For more than two decades, “ Profiles ” on NYC Media Network (NYC Life) Channel 25 has brought viewers an intimate glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s most fascinating celebrities.

On Jan. 17, hosted by Staten Island’s own Mickey Burns, the talk show celebrated its 21st anniversary with a special two-hour celebrity retrospective at the St. George Theatre, highlighting iconic interviews with more than 700 guests throughout its run.

From cultural icons to sports legends, “Profiles” has been a platform for candid and unforgettable moments, and Burns’ wonderful storytelling added an extra layer of insight to the evening.

The retrospective event, filled with nostalgic clips and personal backstories from Burns, was delightfully entertaining, showcasing the depth and breadth of the program’s guest list. It was like watching a documentary interjected with live anecdotal commentary and excellent musical guests.

For this event, they were singers Carl Thomas, Chris Ruggiero, Al Lambert, the Tunnel to Towers Community Chorus, and Vito Picone, who did not sing, but rather shared heartwarming stories about his time with the Elegants.

The legendary Picone, a Staten Islander who, with Arthur Venosa, wrote the Elegants’ 1958 hit “Little Star,” shared it only took them 20 minutes to compose the iconic song, while they were hanging out on Sand Lane alongside four friends. The tune topped the charts back in the late ‘50s and sold more than 2.5 million records worldwide, went gold and remained on the charts for 19 weeks.

One standout moment of so many memories came from Burns’ interview with the late poet and activist Maya Angelou. Burns recalled how Angelou, who had been honored with 50 honorary doctorate degrees, shared the heartbreaking story of why she never celebrated her birthday after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., with whom she was very close, was assassinated on her birthday, April 4.

On a lighter note, another memorable clip featured Sally Kellerman, best known for her role as Hot Lips Houlihan on the television series “M*A*S*H.” In her “Profiles” interview, Kellerman shared a surprising anecdote about a young Harrison Ford, whom she once hired as a carpenter. “He told me he got a small role in this movie called ‘Star Wars,’” she said, laughing. “I’m glad he got an acting job because he was a terrible carpenter.”

Singer Tony Orlando also was mentioned in the retrospective. Famous for “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree,” Orlando revealed his dream was to be a rock star. However, his show, Tony Orlando and Dawn, broke barriers as the first multiracial prime-time show. Remarkably, it never received a single racially charged letter during its run, instead bringing audiences together through their variety shows.

Burns also revisited his conversation with Dion DiMucci, famously known as Dion, the voice behind “The Wanderer.” Dion narrowly escaped the tragic plane crash that claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. He turned down the $36 cost of the flight, as it was the exact amount of his mother’s rent at the time. “If I took that indulgence, my mother would’ve been so disappointed,” Dion reflected, the pass eventually sparing his life.

The retrospective also highlighted Eric Roberts’ (Julia Robert’s brother) candid interview, wherein the actor reflected on the impact of his struggles with substances. “I’m not a leading man because of my choices,” Roberts admitted. He offered a life lesson: “Be nice to everyone you meet. The people you aren’t nice to will always remember and when they will rise up from the ashes, they will exact revenge. Be kind — it’s worth it.”

Another heartfelt moment came from Smokey Robinson, who shared why he never refuses a fan’s request for an autograph. “These people have 10 of my albums,” he said in his interview clip. “Why can’t I spend 10 seconds to give them an autograph?”

Throughout all 700 interviews, Burns has maintained one constant: ending each conversation with the same question — ”What do you want your legacy to be?” It’s a fitting closer for a show that has, over 21 years, created a lasting legacy of its own.

As Burns reflected on the journey of “Profiles,” he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share the stories of such a diverse range of guests, from cultural icons like George Foreman, Keith Hernandez and Chubby Checker to legends like Joyce Randolph, who played Trixie on “The Honeymooners,” among literally hundreds of other guests.