LeVar Burton

Date of Birth: February 16, 1957

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Biography

LeVar Burton, born Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr., is an acclaimed American actor, director, and author. He first gained fame for his role as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 ABC miniseries “Roots,” which earned him widespread recognition and critical acclaim. Burton’s successful portrayal in “Roots” led to a distinguished career in television and film. He is also well-known for hosting the PBS children’s program “Reading Rainbow” from 1983 to 2006, which encouraged countless children to develop a love for reading. The program won over 200 broadcast awards, including a Peabody Award and 26 Emmy Awards, with Burton himself receiving 12 Emmy Awards as host and producer. In addition to his work on “Reading Rainbow,” LeVar Burton is widely recognized for his role as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in the iconic television series “Star Trek: The Next Generation” (1987-1994), as well as in the subsequent feature films. Over the years, Burton has expanded his career to include directing, with credits on several television episodes and films. He is an advocate for literacy and education and is deeply involved in various charitable and educational initiatives.

5 Interesting Facts about LeVar Burton

1. LeVar Burton was born in Landstuhl, West Germany, where his father was stationed as a photographer for the U.S. Army.

2. He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 15, 1990.

3. Burton has written a children’s book titled “The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm,” which aims to help children cope with stress and trauma.

4. He has guest-starred on “The Big Bang Theory” and “Community,” showing his versatility and appeal across different genres and audiences.

5. Burton was a strong advocate for the revival of “Reading Rainbow” and successfully launched a Kickstarter campaign in 2014 to bring the program back as a web series.