Highest rated as cast or director
Star Trek: The Next Generation
1987 · 7 Seasons
Perception
2012 · 3 Seasons
Captain Planet and the Planeteers
1990 · 6 Seasons
Blizzard
2003
Smart House
1999
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 Mr. Goodbar (1977), Donald Lang in Dummy (1979), Tommy Price in The Hunter (1980), which earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, and Martin Luther King Jr. in Ali (2001). Burton received the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards for his narration of the book The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr. In 1990, he was honored for his accomplishments in television with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. From 2017 until 2024, Burton created and hosted the podcast LeVar Burton Reads, often described as "Reading Rainbow for adults". In October 2024, Burton appeared as the host of the Trivial Pursuit television game show broadcast on The CW network and streaming online.
Acted in 81
2020s
- 2026
- 2025
- 2023
Star Trek: Picard - The IMAX Live Series Finale Event
Commodore Geordi La Forge
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
Beyond the Spotlight
TV
Definition Please
LeVar Burton
2010s
- 2019
Weird City
Dr. Negari · 4 episodes
- 2018
Brentwood
LeVar Burton
- 2017
Transformers: Rescue Bots - Rescue Family
Movie
- 2016
School of the Future
Movie
- 2014
Star Trek: The Next Generation - All Good Things...
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
- 2013
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Redemption
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Best of Both Worlds
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge (archive footage)
- 2012
- 2010
The Jensen Project
Kendrick
2000s
- 2009
Taken in Broad Daylight
Mike Timbrook
- 2008
Reach for Me
Nathanial
- 2007
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
1990s
- 1999
Our Friend, Martin
Martin at Age 26 (voice)
- 1998
- 1996
- 1995
Deadly Games
Mr. Metcalf · 1 episode
- 1994
- 1993
Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland
Fire Chief J. Allan Mather
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Behind the Scenes
Geordi La Forge
- 1992
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Chain of Command
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
- 1991
Star Trek: The Next Generation - Unification
Lt. Cmdr. Geordi La Forge
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
Roots: The Gift
Kunta Kinte
- 1987
A Special Friendship
Ben Sumner
- 1986
Liberty
Robert Johnson
The Supernaturals
Pvt. Michael Osgood
- 1985
The Midnight Hour
Vinnie Davis
And the Children Shall Lead
Glenn Scott
- 1984
Booker
Davis
- 1983
Emergency Room
Ray Walden
- 1981
The Acorn People
Rodney
- 1980
The Hunter
Tommy Price
Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones
Richard Jefferson · 2 episodes
1970s
- 1979
Dummy
Donald Lang
- 1978
One in a Million: The Ron LeFlore Story
Ron LeFlore
Battered
Andrew Sinclair
- 1977
Looking for Mr. Goodbar
Cap Jackson
Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid
Billy Peoples
- 1976
Almos' a Man
Dave
Directed 17
2020s
- 2021
2010s
- 2014
- 2012
2000s
- 2008
Reach for Me
Director
- 2005
Miracle's Boys
Director
- 2003
- 2001
- 2000
1990s
- 1999
- 1998
The Tiger Woods Story
Director
- 1995
- 1993
1980s
- 1987
Produced 3
2020s
- 2023
The Right to Read
Executive Producer
2010s
- 2016
1980s
- 1983
Appearances43
2020s
- 2024
To the Journey: Looking Back at Star Trek: Voyager
Self
- 2023
- 2022
Secrets of Sacred Architecture
Narrator (voice)
- 2021
2010s
- 2019
- 2018
- 2014
Lennon or McCartney
Self
A Star Is Drawn: Rob Simone's Look Inside Comic-Con
Self
- 2013
- 2012
Reunification - 25 Years After Star Trek: The Next Generation
Self
- 2011
And They're Off
Self
2000s
- 2009
- 2008
Shatner's Raw Nerve
Self · 1 episode
- 2007
- 2006
40 Years of Star Trek
Self
- 2005
Steve McQueen: The Essence of Cool
Self
- 2002
Remembering Roots
Self
1990s
- 1997
- 1996
Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond
Self
- 1995
MADtv
Self · 1 episode
- 1994
Journey's End - The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Self
- 1992
Star Trek: Federation Science
Self
- 1991
Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
Self
- 1990
1980s
- 1988
The Star Trek Saga: From One Generation to the Next
Self
- 1984
- 1983
- 1982
I Love Liberty
Self
1970s
- 1979
The Muppets Go Hollywood
Self (uncredited)
- 1978
Mickey's 50
Self
- 1977
US Against the World
Self
- 1976
No release date
Scripps National Spelling Bee
Self - Host · 4 episodes