Levar Burton is a beloved actor known for his iconic roles in some of the most popular films and television shows of all time.
From his starring role as Kunta Kinte in Roots to his timeless performance as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Burton has made an indelible mark on both the big and small screens.
In addition to these iconic roles, Burton has also appeared in a wide variety of other films and television series over the years.
Who is LeVar Burton?
Levar Burton is an accomplished actor, director, producer, and humanitarian who has been in the entertainment industry for decades. He first rose to prominence with his role as Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots (1977).
Since then, he has had a long and successful career as an actor in both film and television. Most notably, he is best known for his portrayal of Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and as the host of the beloved PBS children’s show Reading Rainbow. He has also starred in films such as Remember the Titans (2000) and numerous made-for-TV movies.k.
Movies
Roots (1977)
Roots is a historical miniseries that aired in 1977. It was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alex Haley and starred LeVar Burton in the role of Kunta Kinte, an African man who is captured and sold into slavery in colonial America.
The series was groundbreaking for its unflinching depiction of the horrors of slavery, as well as its exploration of African American history and culture. Burton’s performance in Roots was widely praised, and he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor for his portrayal of Kunta Kinte.
Burton’s role and performance as Kunta Kinte
Burton’s portrayal of Kunta Kinte was highly acclaimed by critics and viewers alike. Throughout the series, he captures the spirit and determination of a man trying to hold onto his identity in an oppressive world.
His performance was powerful and stirring, as he conveys both the fear and strength that Kunta must have felt in his extraordinary journey towards freedom. Burton’s emotional depth is remarkable, and it is no surprise that his performance earned him an Emmy nomination.
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
The Motion Picture was the first of seven movies released in the Star Trek franchise, and starred LeVar Burton in his debut as Geordi La Forge. The movie follows Captain Kirk and the rest of the crew of the USS Enterprise as they investigate a mysterious alien threat to Earth. Burton’s performance as La Forge is one of the highlights of the film, and his character quickly became a fan favorite.
His importance to the Star Trek franchise
Levar Burton’s role as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Motion Picture was a crucial part of the success of the Star Trek franchise. His portrayal of the Enterprise’s Chief Engineer made him an integral member of the crew and a fan favorite.
Burton’s performance as La Forge was praised for its warmth and emotion, as well as its technical accuracy. His character was also notable for being the first African-American to be featured in a major role in the Star Trek franchise.
The Smartest Guys in the Room (2005)
The Smartest Guys in the Room is a documentary released in 2005 about corporate greed and the collapse of energy giant Enron. The film features LeVar Burton as the narrator, providing insight into the complex financial scandal that rocked Wall Street.
Burton’s narration is both informative and engaging, offering an accessible look at a complex subject. His calming voice helps to keep viewers engaged throughout the film, while his authoritative take on the story helps to draw out its key points.
Impact of Burton’s voice and delivery
LeVar Burton’s voice and delivery are an important part of the success of The Smartest Guys in the Room. His authoritative yet calming tone helps to draw viewers into the complex story of Enron, making it more accessible and engaging.
He also manages to convey a sense of empathy for the victims of corporate greed without taking away from Enron’s culpability. This ability to strike a balance between understanding and condemnation is a testament to Burton’s skills as a narrator.
TV Shows
Reading Rainbow (1983-2006)
Reading Rainbow is an educational children’s TV series that ran from 1983 to 2006. The show was hosted by LeVar Burton, who gained fame for his role as Kunta Kinte in the miniseries Roots.
On Reading Rainbow, Burton used stories and literature to encourage children to explore their imaginations and discover the joy of reading. The show also featured segments featuring visits to museums and historical sites to help bring the stories to life.
The iconic children’s show
Reading Rainbow was an iconic children’s television show that ran from 1983 to 2006. Hosted by LeVar Burton, the show used stories and literature to encourage children to explore their imaginations and discover the joy of reading. Reading Rainbow featured segments featuring visits to museums and historical sites, as well as interviews with authors and illustrators. The show also featured Burton’s trademark enthusiasm for reading, which helped to make the show a beloved part of the childhoods of many viewers.
Burton’s role as host and producer
Levar Burton’s role as host and producer of Reading Rainbow was integral to the success of the show. As host, Burton’s enthusiasm for reading was infectious, helping to make the show a beloved part of the childhoods of many viewers. His performance also demonstrated his commitment to promoting literacy and inspiring children to explore their imaginations through literature. As a producer, Burton helped to ensure that the show remained educational and engaging, while still providing an entertaining and accessible way for children to learn.
The show’s impact
Reading Rainbow had a profound impact on literacy and education. The show’s focus on literature, paired with LeVar Burton’s enthusiasm for reading, inspired children to explore their imaginations and discover the joy of reading. Through its visits to museums and historical sites, as well as interviews with authors and illustrators, Reading Rainbow provided an accessible way for children to learn about different cultures and histories. The show also helped to promote literacy in general, by inspiring viewers to pick up a book and explore the world through literature.
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-1994)
The Next Generation is a science fiction television series that aired from 1987 to 1994. The show focused on the crew of the Enterprise-D, captained by Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). LeVar Burton played Geordi La Forge, the chief engineer aboard the ship. La Forge was visually impaired but could “see” through a special visor device, which enabled him to detect energy signatures and visualize objects that were otherwise invisible. Burton’s performance helped to make La Forge one of the show’s most popular characters.
Burton’s role as Geordi La Forge
Star Trek: The Next Generation is a science fiction television series that aired from 1987 to 1994. The show focused on the crew of the Enterprise-D, captained by Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart). LeVar Burton played Geordi La Forge, the chief engineer aboard the ship.
La Forge was visually impaired but could “see” through a special visor device, which enabled him to detect energy signatures and visualize objects that were otherwise invisible. Burton’s performance helped to make La Forge one of the show’s most popular characters, as his enthusiasm for both the character and the show was evident in every episode.
LeVar Burton’s performance as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation was important to the show’s success. As a main character, La Forge provided an inspiring and relatable representation of disability and helped to demonstrate the importance of inclusion and diversity.
His enthusiasm for both the character and the show was evident in every episode, making him a beloved part of the Star Trek universe. Beyond his impact on the show, Burton also had a personal impact on viewers, as he inspired them to explore their imaginations and think beyond their limitations.
Community (2010-2014)
Community (2010-2014) was an American sitcom that aired from 2010 to 2014. The show centered around a group of misfits who attended Greendale Community College. LeVar Burton played Professor June Bauer, a history professor with a mysterious past. Burton’s performance as Professor Bauer was both humorous and heartfelt, and he quickly became an integral part of the show’s cast.
Burton’s guest appearance
Community was an American sitcom that aired from 2010 to 2014. The show centered around a group of misfits who attended Greendale Community College. LeVar Burton guest-starred in the show as Professor June Bauer, a history professor with a mysterious past. Burton’s performance as Professor Bauer was both humorous and heartfelt, and he quickly became an integral part of the show’s cast.
Burton’s impact
LeVar Burton’s guest appearance on Community was a great addition to the show and had an impact on pop culture. His character, Professor June Bauer, provided a unique perspective and added a layer of mystery to the show.
Burton’s performance as Professor Bauer was both humorous and heartfelt, eliciting laughter from viewers while also touching upon themes of acceptance and belonging.
Beyond its impact on the show itself, Burton’s guest appearance on Community also had a wider impact on pop culture, as it helped to introduce the show to an even larger audience.
Burton’s legacy and influence
LeVar Burton’s legacy and influence extends far beyond his time on the screen. His performances in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Reading Rainbow, and Community have left an indelible mark on pop culture, and he continues to inspire viewers with his messages of inclusion and diversity.
He has also made important contributions to society as a whole, working to promote literacy as well as providing support to military veterans. Burton’s legacy will live on for many years to come, and his influence will continue to shape the entertainment industry and society at large.
Conclusion
LeVar Burton is an actor and producer who is best known for his roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, Reading Rainbow, and Community. He has appeared in several acclaimed films such as Roots (1977) and Dreamgirls (2006) as well as television series like ER (1994-2009) and Perception (2012-2015). He has also directed episodes of various shows including Criminal Minds (2005-2020) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993-1999). As an actor, Burton has been praised for his performances in a variety of genres.
