About LeVar

LeVar Burton has been host of the Reading Rainbow series since it began in 1983. Since then he's had many Reading Rainbow adventures including learning to scuba dive (Dive To The Coral Reefs), joining a bike race (The Tortoise And The Hare), milking a cow (The Milk Makers), getting close to an erupting volcano (Hill Of Fire), holding an alligator (Mama Don't Allow), climbing to the top of the Statue of Liberty (Watch The Stars Come Out) and learning to mambo (Sophie And Lou).

His career in television began at the age of 19 when he was chosen for the role of Kunta Kinte in Roots, a TV adaptation of a book about slavery.

LeVar continues to act – you've probably seen him in Star Trek: The Next Generation where he plays Lt. Commander Geordi LaForge – and he also produces shows for television and feature films.

He was born in 1957 in West Germany where his father was stationed during military service. His family returned to the United States 2 years later and he's lived most of his life in California where he lives now with his wife and daughter. He also has a grown son.