LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton (Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr.) was born on February 16th, 1957 and is currently 68 years old. LeVar Burton was born in Landstuhl, West Germany. Burton attended the University of Southern California.
Levardis Burton Jr. is an American actor, director, and TV host. He is best known for playing Geordi La Forge in
Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) and Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking 1977 miniseries
Roots. He also hosted the beloved PBS Kids series
Reading Rainbow for 23 years (1983–2006), earning 12 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award for his work in educational television.
Burton’s acting career spans a wide range of roles, including Cap Jackson in
Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977), Donald Lang in
Dummy (1979), and Tommy Price in
The Hunter (1980)—a performance that earned him an NAACP Image Award. He also portrayed Martin Luther King Jr. in the 2001 film
Ali. In 1990, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his significant contributions to television. In 1999, he won a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his narration of
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.
From 2017 to 2024, Burton hosted the popular podcast
LeVar Burton Reads, often described as “Reading Rainbow for adults.” In October 2024, he began hosting the game show
Trivial Pursuit on The CW.
Burton is also an acclaimed children’s book author. His picture book,
The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm, co-written with Susan Schaefer Bernardo and illustrated by Courtenay Fletcher, is a powerful and compassionate story that addresses trauma, anxiety, and emotional healing in a way that is both gentle and accessible for children.
The story follows Mica, a young mouse who is terrified of storms after one destroyed her home the year before. To comfort her, her father tells her the story of a brave rhino who swallows a storm to save his homeland. Though the rhino protects others, he is left carrying the emotional weight of the storm and must learn how to heal by acknowledging his feelings and accepting help from others.
With lyrical rhyming text and vivid, expressive illustrations, the book captures both the chaos of the storm and the rhino’s path to peace. The story is not only engaging and beautifully told—it also serves as a meaningful tool for children to explore their emotions during difficult times.
At the end of the book, a list of thoughtful discussion questions helps children and their caregivers talk about feelings and develop healthy ways to process challenging experiences.
The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm is a valuable resource for parents, educators, and counselors alike—an inspiring book that empowers children to recognize their emotions and find strength in seeking support.
LeVar Burton: Awards & Accolades
LeVar Burton won the PEN/Faulkner Award, Literary Champion, in 2021.
Related Authors
The most common authors followed by users who also follow LeVar Burton are:
- Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
- J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
- Charles Dickens, author of the novel: A Christmas Carol.
- Dean Koontz, author of the Odd Thomas Series.
- Joe Hill, author of the NOS4A2 Series.
LeVar Burton: F.A.Q
When was LeVar Burton Born? How old is LeVar Burton?
LeVar Burton was born on February 16th, 1957. LeVar Burton is currently 68 years old.
Where was LeVar Burton Born?
LeVar Burton was born in Landstuhl, West Germany and is American.
What awards has LeVar Burton won?
LeVar Burton has won the following awards: Literary Champion at the PEN/Faulkner Award (2021).
What was the first book LeVar Burton wrote?
The first book written by LeVar Burton was Aftermath, published in 1997.
What was the most recent book LeVar Burton wrote?
His most recently released work was A Kids Book About Imagination (a short story) on August 1st, 2023.
Will there be any more books by LeVar Burton?
LeVar Burton does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
How many books has LeVar Burton written?
LeVar Burton has written 3 books. 1 Standalone Novel, 1 book in the Children's Books, 1 book in the Picture Books.