Biography for
LeVar Burton More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

16 February 1957, Landstuhl, West Germany

Birth Name

Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr.

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse

Stephanie Cozart Burton

(3 October 1992 - present) 1 child

Trivia

Daughter, Michaela Jean born. [1995]

Graduated University of Southern California School of Theatre

1 son named Ian, 1980, decided by the courts after paternity suit. He won joint custody.

LeVar Burton's father, Levardis Robert Burton Senior, was a career Army NCO from 1954 to 1976. Levardis Burton retired in the rank of Sergeant First Class, just as his son's acting career was beginning to gain notoriety.

As of November 2003 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" (1987), was also continuing his role as host of "Reading Rainbow" (1983).

His character Geordi La Forge on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987) 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" (1987), his character's parents were played by two of his "Roots" (1977) co-stars: Ben Vereen played his father on "Star Trek TNG" and his grandson in "Roots" (1977) and Madge Sinclair played his character's wife in "Roots" (1977) and his mother on "Star Trek TNG".

At age 13, entered a Catholic seminary to study for the priesthood.

In the original Next Generation script, Burton's character, Geordi LaForge, was going to be gay.

Author of a science fiction novel, Aftermath.

Met his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton, in 1988 during the filming of Roots: The Gift (1988) (TV) and married in October 1992.

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