LeVar Burton is a television actor best known for his work on the television miniseries Roots, the science fiction Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the children's show Reading Rainbow. He is also a director, producer and voice actor who has lent his talents to a lot characters over the years.
Early Life:
Levardis Robert Martyn Burton Jr. was born on the 16th of February 1957 in West Germany. His parents were American but since his father was a photographer for the U.S. Army Signal Corps they were in Germany at the time of his birth. At the age of thirteen he decided that he wanted to become a Catholic priest and entered seminary, but as you can expect this did not last long and in the end he graduated from the University of Southern California's School of Theatre.
TV Career:
After leaving the college LeVar stared in a few television shows that helped launch his career. One of his first big breaks was when he landed the role of Kunta Kinte on the television show Roots, this got his name out there and a few years later he landed his signature role as Lieutenant Junior Grade Geori La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. This show lasted for seven seasons and by the time it was done LeVar was a household name, also LeVar came back to the Star Trek franchise and worked on the new show Star Trek: Voyager in 1995. LeVar's film career did not end there here went on to star in a lot of shows and movies including Star Trek: Nemesis, Ali, Boomtown, Family Guy, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, and Batman: The Animated Series. This is a very impressive career for somebody who many thought was not going to make it. Not only has he worked as an actor he has also directed many shows such as Charmed, JAG, and Soul Food: The Series. LeVar is definitely one of the most multitalented African American men we have in the film business today so if you are looking for something great to watch check out one of the many shows he has worked, if and when you do I am sure you will be greatly entertained.
Other achievements:
To date LeVar has won his fairs share of awards. The list includes a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7030 Hollywood Blvd., a Peabody Award for his work on the Reading Rainbow, and a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album for his work on The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. These are just a few of the many shows, awards, and achievements in the life of Levar Burton; I could go on talking forever about his many accomplishments but checking out his work for yourself is the best way to get acquainted with him. His latest work has been on the television show The Super Hero Squad; on this show he voiced character War Machine so go check that out.
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