LeVar Burton: podcast appearances and interviews

LeVar Burton, born Levardis Robert Martyn Burton on February 16, 1957, is an American actor, director, and television host. He is well known for his role as Geordi La Forge in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, which aired from 1987 to 1994. Burton also portrayed Kunta Kinte in the ABC miniseries Roots in 1977. He gained acclaim as the host of the PBS Kids educational series Reading Rainbow, a role he held for 23 years from 1983 to 2006. During his tenure on the show, he received twelve Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, recognizing his contributions as both host and executive producer. Burton's acting career includes performances in films such as Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Dummy, The Hunter, and Ali. His role in The Hunter earned him an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. He is also known for narrating the book The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr., which earned him the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards. Recognized for his achievements in television, Burton was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990. In addition to his acting and hosting career, Burton created and hosted the podcast LeVar Burton Reads from 2017 until 2024, which has been described as