History of LeVar Burton in Timeline

LeVar Burton is an accomplished American actor, director, and television host, born in 1957. He is widely recognized for his iconic roles as Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries *Roots*, Geordi La Forge in *Star Trek: The Next Generation*, and as the host of the long-running PBS children's program *Reading Rainbow*. His work on *Reading Rainbow* earned him 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, solidifying his legacy as a prominent figure in educational television and children's literacy.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 16, 1957: Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. born

On February 16, 1957, Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. was born. He is known as an American actor, director, and television host.

Others born on this day/year

1977: Breakthrough Role in Roots

In 1977, LeVar Burton had his breakthrough role as the young Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots, based on the novel by Alex Haley. Burton has described his first day playing Kunta as the start of his professional career and was nominated for an Emmy.

1986: Joined Star Trek: The Next Generation

In 1986, Gene Roddenberry approached LeVar Burton with the role of Lieutenant Junior Grade Geordi La Forge in the Star Trek: The Next Generation television series.

1986: Appeared in Cameo's "Word Up!" Music Video

In 1986, LeVar Burton appeared in the music video for the song "Word Up!" by the funk/R&B group Cameo.

1987: Murder, She Wrote appearance

In 1987, LeVar Burton played Dave Robinson, a journalist, in the third season of Murder, She Wrote, episode 16 – "Death Takes a Dive", starring Angela Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher.

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1988: Reprised role in Roots: The Gift

In 1988, LeVar Burton reprised the role of Kunta Kinte in the television film Roots: The Gift.

October 3, 1992: Marriage to Stephanie Cozart

On October 3, 1992, LeVar Burton married Stephanie Cozart, a professional make-up artist.

1992: Voice Sampled by DC Talk

In 1992, a clip of LeVar Burton's voice was sampled by DC Talk for the track "Time is..." on their album Free at Last.

1999: Directing Smart House

In 1999, LeVar Burton directed the Disney Channel Original Movie "Smart House", starring Katey Sagal, Kevin Kilner and Jessica Steen.

2000: Alternate Board Director

In 2000, LeVar Burton became an alternate board director.

2003: Directing Blizzard

In 2003, LeVar Burton's first theatrical film direction, "Blizzard", led to him receiving a "Best of Fest" award from the Chicago International Children's Film Festival, and a Genie Award nomination for his work on the film's theme song, "Center of My Heart".

2005: Election to the Board of Directors

In 2005, LeVar Burton was elected to the board of directors for the Directors Guild of America.

2007: Re-election to Board of Directors

LeVar Burton was re-elected to the board of directors for the Directors Guild of America in 2007.

2012: Joined the board of directors for the AIDS Research Alliance

In 2012, LeVar Burton joined the board of directors for the AIDS Research Alliance, a non-profit, medical research organization dedicated to finding a cure for AIDS.

2016: Inaugural Honoree to the Sacramento Walk of Stars

In 2016, LeVar Burton was one of the five inaugural honorees to the Sacramento Walk of Stars.

2019: Richfield Park Renamed LeVar Burton Park

In 2019, Councilmember Larry Carr led the renaming of Richfield Park to LeVar Burton Park in honor of LeVar Burton. The park is in the Meadowview neighborhood, near the house where Burton and his sisters grew up.

August 2020: Directing Two-Front War

In August 2020, LeVar Burton was revealed to be directing "Two-Front War" from Lou Reda Productions. This multi-perspective docuseries will give "an emotionally raw look at the connection between the fight for civil rights in America and the struggle for equality of Black soldiers in Vietnam".

2020: Live Readings during COVID-19 pandemic

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, LeVar Burton continued to read on his podcast and also gave live readings three times a week during a Twitter livestream for different audiences.

2021: Guest Host on Jeopardy!

From July 26 to 30, 2021, LeVar Burton served as a guest host on Jeopardy! after a petition asking the show's producers to select him was signed by more than 250,000 fans. The ratings during his appearance were below average. He later said that the experience taught him that there is a "perfect nature of all things".

June 2022: Hosted Scripps National Spelling Bee

In June 2022, LeVar Burton hosted the 94th Scripps National Spelling Bee.

2023: Launched Sound Detectives podcast

In 2023, LeVar Burton launched a second podcast, this time for children, called Sound Detectives.

2023: Awarded the Common Wealth Awards

In 2023, LeVar Burton was awarded the Common Wealth Awards of Distinguished Service for his commitment to public service.

2023: Webby Award for Best Art and Culture Podcast

LeVar Burton Reads won the 2023 Webby Award for Best Art and Culture Podcast. Burton's five-word Webby acceptance speech was: "Be a better person. Read."

2024: Discovery on Finding Your Roots

In 2024, while on the show Finding Your Roots, LeVar Burton discovered that he has a white, Confederate great-great-grandfather and that another great-great-grandfather was Hal B. Burton, a Black member of the Arkansas House of Representatives.

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