LeVar Burton
A complete biography of LeVar Burton — from Roots and Star Trek to Reading Rainbow, his podcast LeVar Burton Reads, advocacy for literacy, key roles, and inspiring quotes.
Introduction
LeVar Burton is an American actor, director, television host, author, and literacy advocate. He is best known for portraying Kunta Kinte in the Roots miniseries, Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and for hosting the beloved children’s program Reading Rainbow for over two decades.
Beyond acting, Burton has dedicated much of his career to promoting reading, literacy, and imagination. He also directed television episodes, produced content, and in recent years hosted the podcast LeVar Burton Reads.
In this article, we’ll explore his life, major works, legacy, and some of his most memorable quotes.
Early Life and Family
LeVard is Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr., born on February 16, 1957, in Landstuhl, West Germany.
When LeVar was young, his family moved to Sacramento, California, where he was raised by his mother along with his two sisters.
Growing up, Burton initially entered a seminary: as a teenager he enrolled in St. Pius X Minor Seminary in Galt, California, intending to become a priest. But around age 17, he began questioning that path and shifted toward acting.
He later attended the University of Southern California (USC), and while still a student landed his breakout role in Roots.
Career and Achievements
Breakthrough in Roots
Burton’s acting career took off when he was cast as Kunta Kinte in the 1977 ABC miniseries Roots, based on Alex Haley’s novel.
He later reprised the Kunta Kinte role in Roots: The Gift (1988).
That role became emblematic, not just for Burton’s career, but for how Black history and identity could be portrayed in American television.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
In 1987, Burton took on the role of Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge aboard the USS Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He remained part of the show from 1987 through its final seasons.
Geordi La Forge, a blind engineer who “sees” via a VISOR device, became one of sci-fi’s more beloved, sympathetic characters. Burton’s performance contributed to expanding the representation of disability and intelligence in genre television.
Reading Rainbow and Literacy Advocacy
Perhaps Burton’s most influential public role came as the host (and later executive producer) of Reading Rainbow, a children’s educational television program that ran from 1983 to 2006.
Under his stewardship, Reading Rainbow earned 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award.
After the original series ended, Burton (with partner Mark Wolfe) acquired the rights to Reading Rainbow and reimagined it for digital platforms, including an iPad app that quickly became a top educational application.
He also launched RRKIDZ, the company behind new Reading Rainbow content, ensuring the brand’s legacy would continue.
Podcast and Later Work
In 2017, Burton created and hosted the podcast LeVar Burton Reads, sometimes called “Reading Rainbow for adults.” In each episode, he read a piece of short fiction and shared reflections on it.
The podcast ran until May 6, 2024, beginning with its first episode June 13, 2017.
Burton has also pursued directing: he has directed episodes for the Star Trek series, Charmed, JAG, Las Vegas, Scorpion, Soul Food: The Series, and the Disney Channel original movie Smart House (1999).
His first theatrical film as director was Blizzard (2003), which earned a “Best of Fest” award at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival.
He has also acted in films — for example, he narrated The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., winning a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.
Awards & Honors
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Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (1990) for television achievement.
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Multiple Emmy and Daytime Emmy Awards (especially via Reading Rainbow)
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Peabody Award (as host/producer of Reading Rainbow)
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Grammy Award for spoken word narration.
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Various accolades related to literacy advocacy and public service.
Historical & Cultural Context
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Burton’s break into Roots came in a time when American television was starting to reckon more openly with Black history, racial identity, and the legacies of slavery. His embodiment of Kunta Kinte became culturally resonant.
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Reading Rainbow emerged in the 1980s as part of a push for educational television, serving generations of children in bridging literacy spaces in underserved communities.
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His crossover from acting into advocacy anticipated a more fluid model of celebrity: using one’s platform to champion causes.
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The shift to digital media—in which he transformed Reading Rainbow into apps and podcasts—shows his adaptability to changing media landscapes and technology.
Legacy and Influence
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Burton’s influence is felt in both entertainment and education: many people who grew up with Reading Rainbow credit it for fostering their love of books.
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In Star Trek fandom and beyond, Geordi La Forge is a touchstone: a disabled character rendered with dignity, competence, and depth.
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His podcast LeVar Burton Reads introduced or reintroduced audiences to short fiction and literary works, bridging generations and genres.
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As a public figure, Burton is often cited in conversations about the importance of literacy, public education, equitable access to books, and resisting censorship.
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His model of combining artistry, media, and activism sets an example for creators who wish to do more with their platforms.
Personality and Values
Burton is known for being thoughtful, humble, curious, and passionate about literacy. His work suggests a deep belief in the power of storytelling and imagination.
He has spoken of authenticity, resisting being pressured to conform (for instance, around his appearance during Reading Rainbow) in favor of being true to himself.
His advocacy shows that he sees literacy not just as skill but as freedom and equity.
He often projects optimism about technology (if well used), seeing it as a tool to reach more people and open more doors, especially in reading and education.
Famous Quotes of LeVar Burton
Here are a selection of his memorable quotes:
“For me, literacy means freedom. For the individual and for society.”
“I think reading is part of the birthright of the human being.”
“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.”
“As long as we are engaged in storytelling that moves the culture forward, it doesn’t matter what format it is.”
“Libraries do one thing that no other institution does and that’s provide access to all.”
“I fly my geek flag proudly. Absolutely.”
“I’m excited to see how current and future technologies revolutionize the way we learn.”
“Human beings are the laziest creatures in the history of creation. We would rather not do anything if we could avoid it.”
“It’s not about division. It’s not about politics. My concern is how do we come together?”
These highlight his philosophy about reading, storytelling, technology, access, and connection.
Lessons from LeVar Burton
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Storytelling is timeless, medium-agnostic.
Whether through television, digital apps, or podcasts, what matters is the story and how it moves people. -
Access is equity.
His emphasis on libraries and expanding literacy underscores that opportunity often depends on removing barriers. -
Be authentic to your values.
Burton resisted pressure on appearance in Reading Rainbow to remain true to who he is. -
Innovation doesn’t mean losing roots.
Even as he embraced technology (apps, podcasts), he maintained the spirit of reading, imagination, and narrative integrity. -
You can wear many hats.
Actor, director, host, advocate—it is possible to diversify one’s role while keeping coherence in mission and values.
Conclusion
LeVar Burton is more than a recognizable face in American media; he is a bridge between entertainment, education, and empowerment. From his powerful roles in Roots and Star Trek to his long stewardship of Reading Rainbow, and his recent endeavors in podcasting and literacy advocacy, he embodies how passion for stories and reading can shape culture.
If you want, I can also prepare a detailed timeline of his work (film, TV, podcast, books) or dive deeper into the impact of Reading Rainbow on literacy in the U.S. Would you like me to do that next?