Trivia

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

As an avid supporter of children's development, Levar showcased his exceptional general knowledge in an episode of The Weakest Link - Star Trek Edition, aired on 26 November 2001 and won a record-breaking $167,500 for his charity, Junior Achievement Southern California.

His character Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) was named after George La Forge, a huge fan of Star Trek who died from muscular dystrophy. In the series' original screenplay, Geordi La Forge was going to be gay.

He had lots of acting mentors over the years: Cicely Tyson, Louis Gossett Jr. and Sir Patrick Stewart. He credits them as his favorite mentors/best friends.

LeVar Burton's father, Levardis Robert Burton Senior, was a United States 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, he 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.

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".

While co-starring in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), he was also continuing his role as host of Reading Rainbow (1983).

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on November 15, 1990.

Is a strong supporter of literacy in children.

Attended and graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) School of Theater.

Named Ralph Nelson's Lilies of the Field (1963) with Sidney Poitier as his favorite film for the American Film Institute.

His mother, Erma Gene (Christian), was a social worker, administrator and English teacher.

He was chosen as the Grand Marshall of the 2022 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California, on October 5, 2021. He presided over the parade and the afternoon Rose Bowl Game on January 1, 2022.

Met his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton, during the filming of Roots: The Gift (1988). They were married on the same day as Barack Obama and Michelle Obama (October 3, 1992).

Has played Madge Sinclair's son in four different productions: Almos' a Man (1977), One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story (1978), Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones (1980) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987). He also played her character's husband in Roots (1977), though by that time the role of the older Kunta Kinte had been assumed by John Amos.

Attended and graduated from Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, California (1974).

He was awarded a Star on the Sacramento Walk of Stars in Sacramento, California in 2016.

Despite being the protégé and favorable friend of Cicely Tyson, and seeing the funeral was absolutely private, he couldn't attend her funeral.

His daughter, Mica Burton, received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre (acting) from the University of Michigan (2016).

Is a regular guest as himself on The Big Bang Theory (2007).

Three years before taking on the role of blind helmsman/engineer Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), he played a blind passenger on The Love Boat (1977), in the episode segment "Love is Blind".

Is a huge fan of Star Trek (1966).

LeVar Burton was the narrator for the audio recording of "The Watsons Go to Birmingham: 1963" by Christopher Paul Curtis.

Currently resides in Sherman Oaks, California.

In February 1982, he was named host of Reading Rainbow.

He was Kevin Pollak's first guest on Kevin Pollak's Chat Show (2009).

In November 1981, he taped the pilot episode for Reading Rainbow and took his first trip to Africa.

In April 1976, he signed a contract with Wolper Productions to play a portion of the lead in the TV adaptation of the novel Roots by Alex Haley.

In March 1979, it was announced that he would portray a lawman in the TV pilot for Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.

In December 1979, it was announced that he would have a role in the CBS series "The Mad Messiah".

In November 1978, it was announced that he would be doing the film "Dummy".

In September 1978, the first annual LeVar Burton festival was held, with two of his television movies airing.

In October 1979, it was announced that he would have a role in the movie "The Hunter".

In December 1978, he found a role challenge as a deaf inmate.