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LeVar Burton Biography

Birth Name:
Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr.
Birth Place:
Landstuhl, West Germany
Profession
Actor, TV host, producer, director

Fast Facts

  • At 13, decided to become a priest and studied for four years in a Catholic seminary
  • While a college sophomore, landed the pivotal role of Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries Roots; it was his TV debut
  • For more than 20 years, served as host and co-executive producer of PBS's multi-Emmy-winning children's series Reading Rainbow, which also earned NAACP Image Awards and a Peabody
  • Made TV directorial debut with a 1993 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation called "The Pegasus
  • " Published the novel Aftermath in 1997
  • Launched RRKidz, an interactive book app for children, in 2011

Awards

  • 2016Emmy-Outstanding Limited Series: nominated
  • 2003Genie Awards-Best Achievement in Music/Original Song: nominated
  • 1996Emmy-Outstanding Children's Program: nominated

Relationships