LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton

Age: 68 years old
Born: February 16, 1957 in Landstuhl, Rhineland Palatinate, Germany
Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. (born February 16, 1957) is an American actor, director, and television host. He played Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994), Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots (1977), and was the host of the PBS Kids educational television series Read...ing Rainbow for 23 years (1983–2006). Burton received 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award as host and executive producer of Reading Rainbow. His other roles include Cap Jackson in Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Donald Lang in Dummy (1979), Tommy Price in The Hunter (1980), which earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, and Martin Luther King Jr. in Ali (2001). Burton received the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards for his narration of the book The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. In 1990, he was honored for his accomplishments in television with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From 2017 until 2024, Burton created and hosted the podcast LeVar Burton Reads, often described as "Reading Rainbow for adults". In October 2024, Burton appeared as the host of the Trivial Pursuit television game show broadcast on The CW network and streaming online.
Butterfly in the Sky

Butterfly in the Sky

Movie | 2024
Self
To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager

To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager

Movie | 2024
Self
Trivial Pursuit

Trivial Pursuit

TV | 2024
Self - Host
16 Episodes
Finding Your Roots

Finding Your Roots

TV | 2024
One Episode
Futurama

Futurama

TV | 2024
Unlicensed Hologram of LeVar Burton (voice)
One Episode
The Legend of Vox Machina

The Legend of Vox Machina

TV | 2024
Undead Thordak (voice)
2 Episodes
Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event

Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event

Movie | 2023
Commodore Geordi La Forge
Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard

TV | 2023
Commodore Geordi La Forge
5 Episodes
The Shuttlepod Show

The Shuttlepod Show

TV | 2023
Self
One Episode
100 Years of Warner Bros.

100 Years of Warner Bros.

TV | 2023
Self
3 Episodes
Carol & the End of the World

Carol & the End of the World

TV | 2023
(voice)
One Episode
The Ready Room

The Ready Room

TV | 2023
Self
2 Episodes
Secrets of Sacred Architecture

Secrets of Sacred Architecture

Movie | 2022
Narrator (voice)
Tom Swift

Tom Swift

TV | 2022
Barclay (voice)
10 Episodes
Scripps National Spelling Bee

Scripps National Spelling Bee

TV | 2022
Self - Host
4 Episodes
The Problem with Jon Stewart

The Problem with Jon Stewart

TV | 2022
Self
One Episode
The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

TV | 2022
Self
One Episode
PBS News Weekend

PBS News Weekend

TV | 2022
Himself (voice)
One Episode
The View

The View

TV | 2021
Self - Guest
2 Episodes
Tamron Hall

Tamron Hall

TV | 2021
Self - Guest
One Episode
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!

TV | 2021
Self - Host
5 Episodes
The Daily Show

The Daily Show

TV | 2021
Self
One Episode
Leverage: Redemption

Leverage: Redemption

TV | 2021
Mr. Blanche
One Episode
Definition Please

Definition Please

Movie | 2020
LeVar Burton
Beyond the Spotlight

Beyond the Spotlight

TV | 2020
One Episode
The Eric Andre Show

The Eric Andre Show

TV | 2020
Self
One Episode
Weird City

Weird City

TV | 2019
Dr. Negari
4 Episodes
Brentwood

Brentwood

Movie | 2018
LeVar Burton
Explained

Explained

TV | 2018
Narrator (voice)
One Episode
Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family

Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family

Movie | 2017
OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

TV | 2017
Kwame
One Episode
School of the Future

School of the Future

Movie | 2016
Roots

Roots

TV | 2016
Ephraim
One Episode
A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con

A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con

Movie | 2014
Self
Lennon or McCartney

Lennon or McCartney

Movie | 2014
Self
Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen

TV | 2014
Self - Restaurant Patron
One Episode
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds

Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds

Movie | 2013
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
Adventure Time

Adventure Time

TV | 2013
Bubble (voice)
One Episode
Stardate Revisited - The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Stardate Revisited - The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 2012
Self
Rise of the Zombies

Rise of the Zombies

Movie | 2012
Dr. Dan Halpern
Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation

Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 2012
Self
Transformers: Rescue Bots

Transformers: Rescue Bots

TV | 2012
Doc Green (voice)
104 Episodes
Perception

Perception

TV | 2012
Paul Haley
35 Episodes
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

TV | 2012
Self - Guest
One Episode
And They're Off

And They're Off

Movie | 2011
Self
Community

Community

TV | 2011
LeVar Burton
2 Episodes
The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory

TV | 2011
LeVar Burton
3 Episodes
Shatner's Raw Nerve

Shatner's Raw Nerve

TV | 2011
Self
One Episode
The Jensen Project

The Jensen Project

Movie | 2010
Kendrick
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

TV | 2010
Self
One Episode
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Movie | 2009
Black Lightning (voice)
Taken in Broad Daylight

Taken in Broad Daylight

Movie | 2009
Mike Timbrook
Family Guy

Family Guy

TV | 2009
LeVar Burton (voice)
One Episode
Reach for Me

Reach for Me

Movie | 2008
Nathanial
40 Years of Star Trek

40 Years of Star Trek

Movie | 2006
Self
Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool

Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool

Movie | 2005
Self
Family Guy

Family Guy

TV | 2005
Vern (voice)
One Episode
Blizzard

Blizzard

Movie | 2003
Night Watchman Elf (uncredited)
Boomtown

Boomtown

TV | 2003
Marvin Lloyd
One Episode
MADtv

MADtv

TV | 2003
Self
One Episode
Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Trek: Nemesis

Movie | 2002
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Ali

Ali

Movie | 2001
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Becker

Becker

TV | 2000
Mr. Haller
One Episode
Our Friend, Martin

Our Friend, Martin

Movie | 1999
Martin at Age 26 (voice) (as Levar Burton)
Star Trek: Insurrection

Star Trek: Insurrection

Movie | 1998
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager

TV | 1998
Captain Geordi La Forge
One Episode
Trekkies

Trekkies

Movie | 1997
Self
Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact

Movie | 1996
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
Yesterday's Target

Yesterday's Target

Movie | 1996
Winstrom
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond

Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond

Movie | 1996
Self
Gargoyles

Gargoyles

TV | 1996
Anansi/Poacher 2 (voice)
One Episode
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

TV | 1995
The Monk (voice)
One Episode
Deadly Games

Deadly Games

TV | 1995
Mr. Metcalf
One Episode
Christy

Christy

TV | 1995
Daniel Scott
7 Episodes
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!

TV | 1995
Self
One Episode
Star Trek: Generations

Star Trek: Generations

Movie | 1994
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 1994
Self
Parallel Lives

Parallel Lives

Movie | 1994
Dr. Franklin Carter
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes

Movie | 1993
Geordi La Forge
Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland

Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland

Movie | 1993
Fire Chief J. Allan Mather
Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated Series

TV | 1993
Hayden Sloane (voice)
One Episode
Star Trek: Federation Science

Star Trek: Federation Science

Movie | 1992
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special

Movie | 1991
Self
Central Park

Central Park

Movie | 1990
Self
Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

TV | 1990
Kwame (voice)
113 Episodes
Roots: The Gift

Roots: The Gift

Movie | 1988
Kunta Kinte
The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next

The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next

Movie | 1988
Self
A Special Friendship

A Special Friendship

Movie | 1987
Ben Sumner
Murder, She Wrote

Murder, She Wrote

TV | 1987
Reporter Dave Robinson
One Episode
Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation

TV | 1987
Geordi La Forge
176 Episodes
Houston Knights

Houston Knights

TV | 1987
Jason Evans
One Episode
The Supernaturals

The Supernaturals

Movie | 1986
Pvt. Michael Osgood
Liberty

Liberty

Movie | 1986
Robert Johnson
The Midnight Hour

The Midnight Hour

Movie | 1985
Vinnie Davis
And the Children Shall Lead

And the Children Shall Lead

Movie | 1985
Glenn Scott
The Jesse Owens Story

The Jesse Owens Story

Movie | 1984
Professor Preston
Booker

Booker

Movie | 1984
Davis
The Love Boat

The Love Boat

TV | 1984
Darnell Hall
One Episode
Emergency Room

Emergency Room

Movie | 1983
Ray Walden
Reading Rainbow

Reading Rainbow

TV | 1983
Self - Host
155 Episodes
I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

Movie | 1982
Self
Trapper John, M.D.

Trapper John, M.D.

TV | 1982
One Episode
The Acorn People

The Acorn People

Movie | 1981
Rodney
Grambling's White Tiger

Grambling's White Tiger

Movie | 1981
Charles 'Tank' Smith
The Hunter

The Hunter

Movie | 1980
Tommy Price
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

TV | 1980
Richard Jefferson
2 Episodes
Dummy

Dummy

Movie | 1979
Donald Lang
The Muppets Go Hollywood

The Muppets Go Hollywood

Movie | 1979
Self
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

Movie | 1978
Ron LeFlore
Battered

Battered

Movie | 1978
Andrew Sinclair
Mickey's 50

Mickey's 50

Movie | 1978
Self
Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Movie | 1977
Cap Jackson
US Against the World

US Against the World

Movie | 1977
Self
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

Movie | 1977
Billy Peoples
Roots

Roots

TV | 1977
Kunta Kinte
8 Episodes
The Captain and Tennille

The Captain and Tennille

TV | 1977
Self
One Episode
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

TV | 1977
Self
One Episode
Almos' a Man

Almos' a Man

Movie | 1976
Dave
Butterfly in the Sky

Butterfly in the Sky

Movie | 2024
Self
To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager

To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager

Movie | 2024
Self
Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event

Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event

Movie | 2023
Commodore Geordi La Forge
Secrets of Sacred Architecture

Secrets of Sacred Architecture

Movie | 2022
Narrator (voice)
Definition Please

Definition Please

Movie | 2020
LeVar Burton
Brentwood

Brentwood

Movie | 2018
LeVar Burton
Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family

Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family

Movie | 2017
School of the Future

School of the Future

Movie | 2016
A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con

A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con

Movie | 2014
Self
Lennon or McCartney

Lennon or McCartney

Movie | 2014
Self
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds

Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds

Movie | 2013
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
Stardate Revisited - The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Stardate Revisited - The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 2012
Self
Rise of the Zombies

Rise of the Zombies

Movie | 2012
Dr. Dan Halpern
Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation

Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 2012
Self
And They're Off

And They're Off

Movie | 2011
Self
The Jensen Project

The Jensen Project

Movie | 2010
Kendrick
Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Movie | 2009
Black Lightning (voice)
Taken in Broad Daylight

Taken in Broad Daylight

Movie | 2009
Mike Timbrook
Reach for Me

Reach for Me

Movie | 2008
Nathanial
40 Years of Star Trek

40 Years of Star Trek

Movie | 2006
Self
Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool

Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool

Movie | 2005
Self
Blizzard

Blizzard

Movie | 2003
Night Watchman Elf (uncredited)
Star Trek: Nemesis

Star Trek: Nemesis

Movie | 2002
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Ali

Ali

Movie | 2001
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our Friend, Martin

Our Friend, Martin

Movie | 1999
Martin at Age 26 (voice) (as Levar Burton)
Star Trek: Insurrection

Star Trek: Insurrection

Movie | 1998
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Trekkies

Trekkies

Movie | 1997
Self
Star Trek: First Contact

Star Trek: First Contact

Movie | 1996
Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
Yesterday's Target

Yesterday's Target

Movie | 1996
Winstrom
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond

Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond

Movie | 1996
Self
Star Trek: Generations

Star Trek: Generations

Movie | 1994
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation

Movie | 1994
Self
Parallel Lives

Parallel Lives

Movie | 1994
Dr. Franklin Carter
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes

Movie | 1993
Geordi La Forge
Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland

Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland

Movie | 1993
Fire Chief J. Allan Mather
Star Trek: Federation Science

Star Trek: Federation Science

Movie | 1992
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special

Movie | 1991
Self
Central Park

Central Park

Movie | 1990
Self
Roots: The Gift

Roots: The Gift

Movie | 1988
Kunta Kinte
The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next

The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next

Movie | 1988
Self
A Special Friendship

A Special Friendship

Movie | 1987
Ben Sumner
The Supernaturals

The Supernaturals

Movie | 1986
Pvt. Michael Osgood
Liberty

Liberty

Movie | 1986
Robert Johnson
The Midnight Hour

The Midnight Hour

Movie | 1985
Vinnie Davis
And the Children Shall Lead

And the Children Shall Lead

Movie | 1985
Glenn Scott
The Jesse Owens Story

The Jesse Owens Story

Movie | 1984
Professor Preston
Booker

Booker

Movie | 1984
Davis
Emergency Room

Emergency Room

Movie | 1983
Ray Walden
I Love Liberty

I Love Liberty

Movie | 1982
Self
The Acorn People

The Acorn People

Movie | 1981
Rodney
Grambling's White Tiger

Grambling's White Tiger

Movie | 1981
Charles 'Tank' Smith
The Hunter

The Hunter

Movie | 1980
Tommy Price
Dummy

Dummy

Movie | 1979
Donald Lang
The Muppets Go Hollywood

The Muppets Go Hollywood

Movie | 1979
Self
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story

Movie | 1978
Ron LeFlore
Battered

Battered

Movie | 1978
Andrew Sinclair
Mickey's 50

Mickey's 50

Movie | 1978
Self
Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Looking for Mr. Goodbar

Movie | 1977
Cap Jackson
US Against the World

US Against the World

Movie | 1977
Self
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid

Movie | 1977
Billy Peoples
Almos' a Man

Almos' a Man

Movie | 1976
Dave
Trivial Pursuit

Trivial Pursuit

TV | 2024
Self - Host
16 Episodes
Finding Your Roots

Finding Your Roots

TV | 2024
One Episode
Futurama

Futurama

TV | 2024
Unlicensed Hologram of LeVar Burton (voice)
One Episode
The Legend of Vox Machina

The Legend of Vox Machina

TV | 2024
Undead Thordak (voice)
2 Episodes
Star Trek: Picard

Star Trek: Picard

TV | 2023
Commodore Geordi La Forge
5 Episodes
The Shuttlepod Show

The Shuttlepod Show

TV | 2023
Self
One Episode
100 Years of Warner Bros.

100 Years of Warner Bros.

TV | 2023
Self
3 Episodes
Carol & the End of the World

Carol & the End of the World

TV | 2023
(voice)
One Episode
The Ready Room

The Ready Room

TV | 2023
Self
2 Episodes
Tom Swift

Tom Swift

TV | 2022
Barclay (voice)
10 Episodes
Scripps National Spelling Bee

Scripps National Spelling Bee

TV | 2022
Self - Host
4 Episodes
The Problem with Jon Stewart

The Problem with Jon Stewart

TV | 2022
Self
One Episode
The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

TV | 2022
Self
One Episode
PBS News Weekend

PBS News Weekend

TV | 2022
Himself (voice)
One Episode
The View

The View

TV | 2021
Self - Guest
2 Episodes
Tamron Hall

Tamron Hall

TV | 2021
Self - Guest
One Episode
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!

TV | 2021
Self - Host
5 Episodes
The Daily Show

The Daily Show

TV | 2021
Self
One Episode
Leverage: Redemption

Leverage: Redemption

TV | 2021
Mr. Blanche
One Episode
Beyond the Spotlight

Beyond the Spotlight

TV | 2020
One Episode
The Eric Andre Show

The Eric Andre Show

TV | 2020
Self
One Episode
Weird City

Weird City

TV | 2019
Dr. Negari
4 Episodes
Explained

Explained

TV | 2018
Narrator (voice)
One Episode
OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes

TV | 2017
Kwame
One Episode
Roots

Roots

TV | 2016
Ephraim
One Episode
Hell's Kitchen

Hell's Kitchen

TV | 2014
Self - Restaurant Patron
One Episode
Adventure Time

Adventure Time

TV | 2013
Bubble (voice)
One Episode
Transformers: Rescue Bots

Transformers: Rescue Bots

TV | 2012
Doc Green (voice)
104 Episodes
Perception

Perception

TV | 2012
Paul Haley
35 Episodes
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

TV | 2012
Self - Guest
One Episode
Community

Community

TV | 2011
LeVar Burton
2 Episodes
The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang Theory

TV | 2011
LeVar Burton
3 Episodes
Shatner's Raw Nerve

Shatner's Raw Nerve

TV | 2011
Self
One Episode
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

TV | 2010
Self
One Episode
Family Guy

Family Guy

TV | 2009
LeVar Burton (voice)
One Episode
Family Guy

Family Guy

TV | 2005
Vern (voice)
One Episode
Boomtown

Boomtown

TV | 2003
Marvin Lloyd
One Episode
MADtv

MADtv

TV | 2003
Self
One Episode
Becker

Becker

TV | 2000
Mr. Haller
One Episode
Star Trek: Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager

TV | 1998
Captain Geordi La Forge
One Episode
Gargoyles

Gargoyles

TV | 1996
Anansi/Poacher 2 (voice)
One Episode
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child

TV | 1995
The Monk (voice)
One Episode
Deadly Games

Deadly Games

TV | 1995
Mr. Metcalf
One Episode
Christy

Christy

TV | 1995
Daniel Scott
7 Episodes
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!

TV | 1995
Self
One Episode
Batman: The Animated Series

Batman: The Animated Series

TV | 1993
Hayden Sloane (voice)
One Episode
Captain Planet and the Planeteers

Captain Planet and the Planeteers

TV | 1990
Kwame (voice)
113 Episodes
Murder, She Wrote

Murder, She Wrote

TV | 1987
Reporter Dave Robinson
One Episode
Star Trek: The Next Generation

Star Trek: The Next Generation

TV | 1987
Geordi La Forge
176 Episodes
Houston Knights

Houston Knights

TV | 1987
Jason Evans
One Episode
The Love Boat

The Love Boat

TV | 1984
Darnell Hall
One Episode
Reading Rainbow

Reading Rainbow

TV | 1983
Self - Host
155 Episodes
Trapper John, M.D.

Trapper John, M.D.

TV | 1982
One Episode
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

TV | 1980
Richard Jefferson
2 Episodes
Roots

Roots

TV | 1977
Kunta Kinte
8 Episodes
The Captain and Tennille

The Captain and Tennille

TV | 1977
Self
One Episode
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

TV | 1977
Self
One Episode