bibliography
NNDB
This is a beta version of NNDB
Search: for

LeVar Burton

LeVar BurtonAKA Levardis Robert Martyn Burton, Jr.

Born: 16-Feb-1957
Birthplace: Landstuhl, West Germany

Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: Black
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Actor

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: La Forge on Star Trek: TNG

LeVar Burton went to parochial schools until he was 13, when he entered a seminary, thinking he might become a priest. After seminary, Burton lived in a fraternity house while attending USC's School of Theater. He never pledged, but lived there because the rent was cheap. While still in school he was chosen to play Kunta Kinte in the mini-series of Alex Haley's Roots, one of the most-watched TV programs of all time. He went on to play the blind engineer Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Both Burton's parents were English teachers, and he followed in their footsteps in 1983, by hosting Reading Rainbow on PBS. Even after his career took off, Burton said of the series, "It's the most important work that I do, and I will continue to do it as long as there is a need". In 2001, Burton donated a kidney to his mother. He says that this was a spiritual event for his whole family.

In 1980 Burton was hit with a paternity suit. A court decided that Burton had a son, and ordered him to share custody and the expense. Little information is available about this child.

Father: Levardis Robert Martyn Burton, Sr. (US Army NCO 1954-76)
Wife: Stephanie Cozart Burton (makeup artist, m. 3-Oct-1993)
Daughter: Michaela (b. 1995)

    University: School of Theatre, University of Southern California

    Obama for America
    Obama for Illinois
    Hollywood Walk of Fame 1990
    Kidney Donation 2001
    Wedding: Al Reynolds and Star Jones (2004)
    Coolest Headshots

    TELEVISION
    Christy Daniel Scott (1995)
    Reading Rainbow Host (1983-2009)
    Star Trek: The Next Generation Geordi La Forge (1987-94)

    FILMOGRAPHY AS DIRECTOR
    Reach for Me (5-Apr-2009)
    Blizzard (15-May-2003)
    Smart House (26-Jun-1999)

    FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
    Rise of the Zombies (27-Oct-2012)
    Superman/Batman: Public Enemies (29-Sep-2009) [VOICE]
    Reach for Me (5-Apr-2009)
    Taken in Broad Daylight (15-Feb-2009)
    Star Trek: Nemesis (9-Dec-2002) · Geordi La Forge
    Ali (11-Dec-2001) · Martin Luther King, Jr.
    Dancing in September (24-Feb-2000) · Himself
    Our Friend, Martin (1999) [VOICE]
    Star Trek: Insurrection (11-Dec-1998) · Geordi
    Trekkies (18-Oct-1997) · Himself
    Star Trek: First Contact (22-Nov-1996) · Geordi
    Yesterday's Target (1996)
    Star Trek: Generations (18-Nov-1994) · Geordi
    Parallel Lives (14-Aug-1994)
    The Supernaturals (1986)
    The Midnight Hour (1-Nov-1985)
    Grambling's White Tiger (4-Oct-1981)
    The Hunter (1-Aug-1980)
    Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (15-Apr-1980)
    Roots: The Next Generations (18-Feb-1979)
    Roots (23-Jan-1977)
    Looking for Mr. Goodbar (7-Jan-1977)

Official Website:
http://www.levarburton.com/


New!
NNDB MAPPER
Create a map starting with LeVar Burton
Requires Flash 7+ and Javascript.

Do you know something we don't?
Submit a correction or make a comment about this profile



Copyright ©2019 Soylent Communications