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Early Life and Education

LeVar Burton, born Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. on February 16, 1957, entered the world in Landstuhl, West Germany, where his father, Levardis Sr., served as a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army. His mother, Erma Gene Christian, was a social worker and educator who helped shape his early commitment to learning and public service. The family later settled in Sacramento, California, where Burton grew up with a serious interest in ideas and faith. At thirteen he entered a Roman Catholic seminary with thoughts of the priesthood, an experience that developed his discipline and oratory. By his mid-teens, however, he had gravitated toward the arts. He left the seminary, pursued theater, and won admission to the University of Southern California's School of Theatre, a move that set him on a professional path as a performer.

Breakthrough with Roots

Burton's breakout role came at nineteen when he was cast as Kunta Kinte in Roots (1977), the ABC miniseries based on Alex Haley's book and produced by David L. Wolper. His portrayal of a young man captured from West Africa and forced into American slavery was raw, dignified, and unflinching, and it made an indelible impression on audiences. Roots became a national event, sparking conversation about American history and identity, and Burton's performance earned him major award nominations and instant recognition. The ensemble included John Amos, who portrayed the older Kunta, and Louis Gossett Jr., Ben Vereen, Madge Sinclair, Maya Angelou, and Ed Asner, among others. For a young actor, working alongside such accomplished performers under intense scrutiny was both a trial by fire and a master class, and it established Burton as a significant new voice in American television.

Reading Rainbow

In 1983, Burton began hosting the PBS series Reading Rainbow, a program devoted to cultivating a love of books among children. Created by a team that included executive producer Twila Liggett and produced with public television partners such as WNED, the series blended storytelling, field segments, and enthusiastic book recommendations. Burton's warm presence, curiosity, and signature reminder, "But you don't have to take my word for it", made reading feel like an invitation rather than an assignment. Over more than two decades, he also served as an executive producer, guiding the show through evolving media landscapes while keeping its core mission intact. Reading Rainbow earned widespread acclaim, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, and it inspired generations of viewers who credit the series, and Burton personally, with opening doors to literature and lifelong learning.

Star Trek and Screen Acting

Beginning in 1987, Burton took on another defining role as Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Commander) Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Developed from Gene Roddenberry's franchise, the series showcased a diverse cast charting a hopeful future. Burton's Geordi, brilliant, empathetic, and equipped with a VISOR that allowed him to see across the electromagnetic spectrum, stood as a symbol of intellect and inclusion. Working with colleagues such as Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, Marina Sirtis, Gates McFadden, Michael Dorn, and Wil Wheaton, he brought depth to a character who bridged engineering prowess and human insight. Burton reprised the role in feature films and, years later, returned to it in Star Trek: Picard, reuniting with longtime castmates; in a notable family moment, his daughter Mica Burton appeared as Alandra La Forge, bringing the on-screen legacy full circle.

Director and Producer

Parallel to his acting, Burton built a substantial directing career. He directed numerous episodes across the Star Trek franchise, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise, earning a reputation for thoughtful leadership and technical fluency. Outside the Trek universe, he directed television movies and series episodes, including the popular Disney Channel Original Movie Smart House. As a producer, he championed quality educational content and narrative craft, carrying forward the ethos that television can both entertain and enlighten.

Writing and Voice Work

Burton authored the science fiction novel Aftermath, reflecting his interest in speculative storytelling and the social questions that the genre can illuminate. He has also contributed voice performances to animation and documentaries, including roles that emphasize environmental stewardship and social responsibility. His distinctive narration style, clear, inviting, and emotionally grounded, extended naturally into audiobook and spoken-word projects and later into podcasting.

Later Career and Public Presence

Committed to literacy advocacy in the digital age, Burton co-founded a company to bring Reading Rainbow's mission to new platforms, developing classroom and home tools and later creating the Skybrary digital library. A record-breaking crowdfunding campaign signaled public enthusiasm for his continued work on behalf of readers and educators. In 2017 he launched LeVar Burton Reads, a podcast in which he performs short fiction by contemporary authors, introducing audiences to a wide range of voices and styles. His status as a trusted cultural figure was underscored when a fan-driven campaign led to his guest-hosting of the quiz show Jeopardy!. He later appeared as host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, roles that highlighted his poise and longstanding identification with learning and curiosity.

Personal Life

Burton married makeup artist Stephanie Cozart Burton in the early 1990s. They have a daughter, Mica Burton, who has pursued work as an actor and presenter; Burton also has a son, Eian, from a previous relationship. His family has occasionally intersected with his professional life, most visibly when Mica joined him on-screen in Star Trek: Picard. Grounded by close ties to his mother's example as an educator and his father's military service, Burton has emphasized mentorship, literacy outreach, and community engagement, frequently collaborating with librarians, teachers, and nonprofit leaders.

Legacy and Influence

LeVar Burton's career spans dramatic milestones and educational breakthroughs. As Kunta Kinte in Roots, he helped a nation confront a difficult past through truthfully rendered storytelling. As Geordi La Forge, he modeled competence, empathy, and inclusion in a future imagined with optimism. As the host and producer of Reading Rainbow, he made reading feel like an adventure, giving countless children permission to see themselves as readers. His directing credits, literary work, and podcasting continue to amplify the voices of others. Honors from the television industry and organizations devoted to books and education reflect the breadth of his impact, but perhaps the most telling measure is the steady chorus of writers, engineers, teachers, and fans who say they found their paths because Burton showed them where to look, and reminded them that the journey could begin with a book.