Levardis Robert Martyn "LeVar" Burton Jr. is an actor, director, and educator who has been an icon for more than 35 years. He was the host and producer of the influential television program Reading Rainbow for more than three decades, and starred in the TV miniseries Roots and on Star Trek: The Next Generation. He lives in Sherman Oaks, California.
Has one daughter: Michaela Jean-Estelle Burton (born 1994).
Attended and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California in 1974.
LeVar Burtons father, Levardis Robert Burton Senior, was a United States Army NCO from 1954 to 1976. Levardis Burton retired in the rank of Sergeant First Class, just as his sons acting career was beginning to gain notoriety.
As of November 2003, he holds the record for the most number of Star Trek episodes directed by a Star Trek actor. He has directed more than two-dozen episodes for every one of the four "modern era" Trek series.
While co-starring in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" , he was also continuing his role as host of "Reading Rainbow" .
His character Geordi La Forge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" was named after George La Forge, a Star Trek fan who died from muscular dystrophy.
Is a strong supporter of literacy in children.
On "Star Trek: The Next Generation" , his characters parents were played by two of his "Roots" co-stars: Ben Vereen played his father on "Star Trek TNG" and his grandson in "Roots" and Madge Sinclair played his characters wife in "Roots" and his mother on "Star Trek TNG".
At age 13, he entered a Catholic seminary to study for the priesthood.
In the original Next Generation script, Burtons character, Geordi LaForge, was going to be gay.
Attended and graduated from the University of Southern California School of Theatre.
Met his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton , during the filming of Roots: The Gift . They were married on the same day as Barack Obama and Michelle Obama (October 3, 1992).
Has played Madge Sinclair s son in four different productions: Almos a Man , One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story , Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones and "Star Trek: The Next Generation" . He also played her characters husband in "Roots" , though by that time the role of the older Kunta Kinte had been assumed by John Amos.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on November 15, 1990.
His daughter, Mica Burton, will graduate from the University of Michigan in 2016.
His mother, Erma Gene (Christian), was a social worker, administrator and English teacher.
He was Kevin Pollak s first guest on "Kevin Pollaks Chat Show" .
Three years before taking on the role of blind helmsman/engineer Geordi La Forge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" , he played a blind passenger on "The Love Boat" , in the episode segment "Love Is Blind".
Named Ralph Nelson s Lilies of the Field with Sidney Poitier as his favorite film for the American Film Institute.
Is a regular guest as himself on "The Big Bang Theory" .
Is a huge fan of the original "Star Trek" series.
Currently lives in Sherman Oaks, California.
Has a son Eian from a previous relationship.
As an avid supporter of childrens development, Levar showcased his exceptional general knowledge in an episode of The Weakest Link - Star Trek Edition, aired on 26 November 2001 and won a record-breaking $167,500 for his charity, Junior Achievement Southern California.
Credits Louis Gossett Jr. and Patrick Stewart as his favorite acting mentors/best friends.
His acting mentors are Louis Gossett Jr. and Patrick Stewart.
LeVar Burton was the narrator for the audio recording of "The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis.
I get most of my news updates from electronic and social media.
There would be no Star Trek unless there were transporter malfunctions.
Because storytelling, and visual storytelling, was put in the hands of,everybody, and we have all now become storytellers.
We had to figure out how to produce books in a cost-effective way.
This wired generation is kind of cool.
It is no longer appropriate for me as an American to sit by and expect,my government to get it done.
I fly my geek flag proudly. Absolutely.
Reading a hard copy book, and reading a book on an iPad are slightly,different experiences. What they both have in common though is that you,must engage your imagination in the process.
The unvarnished truth is that we have spent the last decade funding the,machinery of war, and our children have been sacrificed.
All literature is political.
I genuinely believe we have an opportunity to revolutionize how we,educate our children.
