Biography
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 Reading 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 ...
Known For
Complete Filmography

To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager
2024
as Self
The documentary explores the legacy of Star Trek: Voyager (1995).

Butterfly in the Sky
2024
as Self
Two seconds into the bubbling synth sounds of its theme song will have a child of the 1980s or ‘90s exclaiming “Reading Rainbow!” Such is the beloved ...

Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event
2023
as Commodore Geordi La Forge
Get ready to send off Jean-Luc Picard and his crew in style! On Wednesday, April 19, experience the last two episodes of Star Trek: Picard in IMAX, fo...

The Right to Read
2023
Executive Producer
The Right to Read shares the stories of an activist, a teacher, and two American families who fight to provide our youngest generation with the most f...

Secrets of Sacred Architecture
2022
as Narrator (voice)
For most of America's history, sacred buildings represented our greatest feats of innovative engineering and artistic design. Unlock the elements of ...

Definition Please
2020
as LeVar Burton
The story of Monica Chowdry, a National Spelling Bee champ…from 15 years ago. Life hasn’t quite panned out as expected for Monica since her big win. W...

Brentwood
2018
as LeVar Burton
A running feud between Star Trek actors Brent Spiner and Levar Burton is the basis for this TV comedy pilot.

Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family
2017
The Rescue Bots (Chase, Heatwave, Blades and Boulder) along with their human counterparts, the Burns, are one big happy Rescue Family! Together, they ...

School of the Future
2016
Researchers and educators highlight the gaps in the U.S. education system and share their visions for innovative and meaningful learning environments.

Lennon or McCartney
2014
as Self
550 artists were interviewed over ten years. At some point during those interviews, they were asked a question and told to answer with one word only. ...

A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con
2014
as Self
This fast-paced Documentary was filmed inside America's biggest Comics/Film Convention and includes informative and humorous interviews with Levar Bur...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
2013
as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
The Enterprise has a deadly encounter with the Borg, resulting in Picard's kidnap, while Commander Riker encounters a beautiful rival with an eye on h...

Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation
2012
as Self
Reunification: 25 Years After Star Trek – The Next Generation is a 61-minute documentary celebrating the 25th anniversary of Star Trek: The Next Gener...

Rise of the Zombies
2012
as Dr. Dan Halpern
When zombies overrun San Francisco, a desperate group survives by locking themselves inside Alcatraz Prison. When the undead breach the island, our he...
Stardate Revisited - The Origin of Star Trek: The Next Generation
2012
as Self
Feature-length documentary offering the definitive look at the making of the iconic science fiction classic; STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION! Includes ...

The Jensen Project
2010
as Kendrick
After a sixteen-year absence, married scientists Claire and Matt Thompson reunite with The Jensen Project. The Jensen Project is a secret community of...

Taken in Broad Daylight
2009
as Mike Timbrook
Every 24 hrs. after a child's been kidnapped by a stranger, chances of finding them alive diminishes to almost 100% ... The true and inspiring surviva...

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies
2009
as Black Lightning (voice)
United States President Lex Luthor uses the oncoming trajectory of a Kryptonite meteor to frame Superman and declare a $1 billion bounty on the heads ...

Reach for Me
2008
as Nathanial
Old and bitter, Alvin just wants some peace and quiet in his last days. His wish, however, is not granted when a young, vibrant and ironically full of...

Reach for Me
2008
Director
Old and bitter, Alvin just wants some peace and quiet in his last days. His wish, however, is not granted when a young, vibrant and ironically full of...

40 Years of Star Trek
2006
as Self
The Space Channel celebrates the 40th anniversary of the original STAR TREK. Produced by Mark Askwith, hosted by Jonathan Llyr and featuring interview...

Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool
2005
as Self
Friends, family, co-stars and admirers of actor Steve McQueen talk about his life and his movie career.

Blizzard
2003
as Night Watchman Elf (uncredited)
A young girl's aunt tells her the tale of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer.

Blizzard
2003
Director
A young girl's aunt tells her the tale of a young ice skater and an enchanted reindeer.

Star Trek: Nemesis
2002
as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
En route to the honeymoon of William Riker to Deanna Troi on her home planet of Betazed, Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise...

Ali
2001
as Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 1964, a brash, new pro boxer, fresh from his Olympic gold medal victory, explodes onto the scene: Cassius Clay. Bold and outspoken, he cuts an enti...

Smart House
1999
Director
Ben Cooper and his family are struggling to get a grip on household chores, school and work. So when Ben sees that a Smart House is being given away, ...

Our Friend, Martin
1999
as Martin at Age 26 (voice) (as Levar Burton)
Two teens are sent back in time to meet Martin Luther King Jr. at several points during his life.

Star Trek: Insurrection
1998
as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
When an alien race and factions within Starfleet attempt to take over a planet that has "regenerative" properties, it falls upon Captain Picard and th...

The Tiger Woods Story
1998
Director
With his father coaching him and his mother providing a strong spiritual influence, Tiger Woods rose to fame and fortune. But his success came at a pr...

Trekkies
1997
as Self
Denise Crosby takes a first look at the huge fans of "Star Trek" from around America and how the series has affected and shaped their lives.

Star Trek: First Contact
1996
as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
The Borg, a relentless race of cyborgs, are on a direct course for Earth. Violating orders to stay away from the battle, Captain Picard and the crew o...

Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
1996
as Self
A star-studded tribute to Star Trek on its 30th anniversary, hosted by many of the stars and guest stars from all of the Trek series and movies. Also ...

Yesterday's Target
1996
as Winstrom
Memory loss, separation and assassins threaten three time-travelers with special powers who are stuck in the past.

Star Trek: Generations
1994
as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge
Captain Jean-Luc Picard and the crew of the Enterprise-D find themselves at odds with the renegade scientist Soran who is destroying entire star syste...

Parallel Lives
1994
as Dr. Franklin Carter
A college reunion turns into a tangled web of passion, romance and intrigue as old friends and enemies catch up with each other's lives. Includes a lo...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
1994
as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge
Q returns as Capt. Picard finds himself continually shifting into the past, future, and present, and he must use that to discover a threat to humanity...

Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation
1994
as Self
Your destination: the 24th century. Your mission: to voyage where few have gone before--behind the scenes of Star Trek: The Next Generation! Join Jona...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Gambit
1993
as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
After hearing a rumor that Captain Picard has been murdered while on an archeological dig, the Enterprise crew sets out to find the smugglers who may ...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Descent
1993
as Geordi La Forge
The Enterprise is diverted to Ohniaka Three, when the colony signals that it is under attack. Arriving at the outpost, the Starfleet Officers discover...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Birthright
1993
as Geordi La Forge
The Enterprise arrives at Deep Space Nine where a mysterious alien, Jaglom Shrek, claims he can prove that Worf's father Mogh, is still alive. Meanwhi...

Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland
1993
as Fire Chief J. Allan Mather
Based on the actual events of the 1991 brush fires that swept across Northern California which left countless people without homes. A rookie fire chie...

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes
1993
as Geordi La Forge
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – Behind the Scenes was a fifty minute documentary hosted by Terry Farrell that looked at the creation of Star Trek: Deep S...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of Command
1992
as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
Tensions rise as a possible Cardassian attack looms, and Picard, Dr. Crusher and Worf are sent on a secret mission to find and destroy suspected biolo...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Time's Arrow
1992
as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi LaForge (archive footage)
An engineering team finds evidence of an alien presence on Earth in 19th century San Francisco: Data's severed head, buried five hundred years ago. An...

Star Trek: Federation Science
1992
Produced by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (lead writer, Mark Bourne), the exhibit was originally developed to coincide with both the 25th ...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification
1991
as Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
When the Federation calls for help in locating an ambassador suspected of defecting, Picard is troubled to learn that Spock is the one who has vanishe...

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
1991
as Self
This documentary is hosted by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy and they take us through the history of Star Trek. We also get to see bloopers from th...

Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption
1991
as Geordi LaForge (archive footage)
Loyalties are divided when civil war splits the Klingon Empire. When Worf sees a chance to regain his wrongfully lost family honor, he must choose bet...

Central Park
1990
as Self
CENTRAL PARK is a film about the famous New York City landmark and the variety of ways in which people make use of it: running, boating, walking, skat...

Roots: The Gift
1988
as Kunta Kinte
On Christmas Eve 1770, a young African warrior, who three years prior had been captured and sold into slavery in America, leads a desperate group of r...

The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next
1988
as Self
This special is hosted by Patrick Stewart and traced the history of Star Trek from its inception with "The Cage" through to Star Trek IV: The Voyage H...

A Special Friendship
1987
as Ben Sumner
During the American Civil War, two women, a wealthy white woman and a freed black slave, join forces to fight for freedom and the abolition of slavery...
Star Trek: The Next Generation - electronic press kit
1987
as Self
Original electronic press kit publicizing the long-awaited sequel to NBC’s “Star Trek”. Program distributed via first-run syndication.

Liberty
1986
as Robert Johnson
Drama about how the Statue of Liberty came to be erected in New York Harbor in the early 1880s and the people responsible for its creation.

The Supernaturals
1986
as Pvt. Michael Osgood
Nichelle Nichols is an army sergeant who leads her platoon into the woods of the deep south on a training exercise. Unfortunately, it is the site wher...

The Midnight Hour
1985
as Vinnie Davis
Phil, Melissa, Mitch, Mary, and Vinnie are high school friends, who unwittingly raise the dead on Halloween night. Once the dead have returned, Pitchf...

And the Children Shall Lead
1985
as Glenn Scott
Mississippi in the early '60s is the setting for this story of a 12-year-old African-American girl who, along with her white friends, tries to ease in...
Booker
1984
as Davis
Booker tells the true story of Booker T. Washington, who, as a young slave, dreams of learning to read and write. After the Civil War frees him, Booke...

The Jesse Owens Story
1984
as Professor Preston
The Jesse Owens Story is a biographical film about the black athlete Jesse Owens. Dorian Harewood plays the Olympic gold-winning athlete. The drama wo...

Emergency Room
1983
as Ray Walden
An ER doctor divides her time between saving lives, playing hospital politics, and juggling a love affair with a fellow doctor.

I Love Liberty
1982
as Self
An all-star variety special saluting America.
Grambling's White Tiger
1981
as Charles 'Tank' Smith
A young white man goes to a historically black college for the chance to be the starting quarterback. There he encounters considerable resentment and ...

The Acorn People
1981
as Rodney
An unemployed teacher becomes a counselor at a summer camp for severely disabled children.

The Hunter
1980
as Tommy Price
During his long career, bounty hunter Ralph "Papa" Thorson has caught over 5,000 criminals. Now, while he is working on apprehending fugitives in Illi...

Dummy
1979
as Donald Lang
The real-life account of an illiterate, deaf-and-mute, black youth who was accused of murdering a prostitute, and the relationship that developed betw...

The Muppets Go Hollywood
1979
as Self
Kermit the Frog throws a glamorous party at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub to celebrate the premiere of the Muppets' first feature film, The Muppet Movi...

Mickey's 50
1978
as Self
"Mickey's 50" is a 90-minute special that aired on The Wonderful World of Disney on November 19, 1978. The special was made to commemorate the 50th bi...

One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story
1978
as Ron LeFlore
The true story of baseball star Ron LeFlore, from his days as a street-corner punk with no future to his days behind bars on a petty robbery convictio...

Battered
1978
as Andrew Sinclair
Gritty drama of three interweaving stories of three women of various backgrounds and ages whose marriages are complicated by spouse-abuse by their hus...

Looking for Mr. Goodbar
1977
as Cap Jackson
A short, unhappy affair with a married man leads a dedicated schoolteacher into the alcohol-and-drug fueled underworld of singles’ bars, where she beg...

Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
1977
as Billy Peoples
A young ghetto kid despairs of ever getting out of that environment and making something of himself, until one day he gets a job as an assistant in a ...

US Against the World
1977
as Self
This NBC Special from 1977 pitted celebrities from the worlds of film and TV in the United States against stars from the U.K. and the rest of the Worl...

Almos' a Man
1976
as Dave
Although Dave (LeVar Burton) and his family are poor sharecroppers in the Deep South in the 1930s, this 15-year-old's problem is shared by teenagers t...