LeVar Burton Filmography

Born:
February 16, 1957 in Landsthul, West Germany
Occupation:
Actor, Director, Executive Producer
Biography:
African American actor LeVar Burton was a 19-year-old UCLA drama student when he was catapulted into international fame. On January 23, 1977, Burton made his professional debut as young Kunta Kinte, the protagonist of the classic TV miniseries Roots. He went on to give first-rate performances in...Read More
  • Reach for Me

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Alfre Woodard, Seymour Cassel

    Synopsis: LeVar Burton writes, directs, and stars in this drama set in a hospice, and following two patients who realize how to live and love as they begin the dying process. Alfre Woodard and Seymour Cassel star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide Read More

    2008
  • 2007
  • Miracle's Boys

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Sean Nelson, Pooch Hall, Julito McCullum

    Synopsis: Miracle's Boys tells the tale of African-American brothers who must survive many daily stresses by trusting, relying on, and loving each other. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide Read More

    2005
  • Charmed: Extreme Makeover: World Edition

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, Kerr Smith, Rebecca Balding, Oded Fehr

    Synopsis: The Avatars proceed with their plan to create a utopian society by subjecting the entire world, and its population, to a complete makeover. With the help of Leo (Brian Krause), this transformation is imposed upon the Charmed Ones as well. But can it be that the Avatars' vision of the future is not Read More

    2005
  • The N Word

    Synopsis: The biggest names in show business come together to offer their opinions on one of the most inflammatory words in the English language in filmmaker Todd Williams' revealing and thought-provoking documentary. In its long and complex history, the word "nigger" has gone from a cutting and derogatory Read More

    2004
  • Blizzard

    Crew: Composer (Music Score), Director

    Actors: Brittany Bristow, Brenda Blethyn, Whoopi Goldberg, Christopher Plummer, Kevin Pollak, Zoë Warner

    Synopsis: A young girl still saddened by the decision of her best friend's family to move away learns an important life lesson about change from her eccentric aunt in this family-friendly holiday tale directed by LeVar Burton and starring Whoopi Goldberg, Kevin Pollak, Christopher Plummer, and Zoë WarnerRead More

    2003
  • Star Trek: Nemesis

    Actors: Patrick Stewart, LeVar Burton, Brent Spiner, Jude Ciccolella, Jonathan Frakes, Shannon Cochran, Alan Dale

    Synopsis: The tenth film in Paramount's highly lucrative sci-fi franchise is also positioned as the last for the entire original Next Generation crew. En route to the honeymoon of William Riker (Jonathan Frakes) to Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) on her home planet of Betazed, Captain Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart Read More

    12/13/02
  • Ali

    Actors: Jada Pinkett Smith, Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Jon Voight, Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver

    Synopsis: Notoriously obsessive director Michael Mann and star Will Smith devoted nearly two years and over 100 million dollars from the coffers of Columbia Pictures and other financiers to creating this biography of boxing great Muhammad Ali, which focuses on the ten-year period of 1964-1974. In that time Read More

    12/25/01
  • Reading Rainbow: My America - A Poetry Atlas of the United States

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The Reading Rainbow series has won many awards for encouraging young children to read for pleasure. Using an effective magazine format, each program includes a featured book, visits to sites related to the show's topic, and interviews, dramatizations, and reviews of other books by youngsters. It Read More

    2001
  • Reading Rainbow: Pet Stories You Don't Have to Walk

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: This series continues to present excellent books and related activities designed to promote literacy in young children. Several stories about pets are told in Reading Rainbow: Pet Stories: You Don't Have to Walk, as LeVar Burton shares hosting duties with his dog, Roy. They go to the U-Wash-Doggie Read More

    2001
  • Star Trek: Enterprise [TV Series]

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: The fifth weekly TV series in the indefatigable Star Trek franchise, Enterprise took the viewer "back to where it all began" (or so read the promotional copy). Set 100 years in the future -- yet still 150 years before the "original" Star Trek series -- the new show charted the origins of the Read More

    2001
  • Reading Rainbow: The Shaman's Apprentice - A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In this provocative story from the heart of the rain forest, Lynn Cherry has adapted the true experiences of Mark J. Plotkin's Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice for young readers. Cherry's book, featured in Reading Rainbow: The Shaman's Apprentice: A Tale of the Amazon Rain Forest follows the life of Read More

    2001
  • Star Trek: Voyager: Homestead

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Roxann Dawson

    Synopsis: Tracing the source of some Talaxian messages, Neelix (Ethan Phillips) locates a colony of his own people on an asteroid -- which happens to be in the thick of a devastating war fomented by greedy miners. Now he is forced to make a momentous choice between his Neelix heritage and his loyalty to Read More

    2001
  • Reading Rainbow: Badger's Parting Gifts

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Helping children cope with the loss of a loved one is the topic of this episode of the award-winning series Reading Rainbow. In the story, Badger's animal friends are all sad when he's gone, but begin to discuss their memories, and realize that he will always be a part of them. The program brings Read More

    2001
  • Reading Rainbow: Lemonade for Sale

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Each episode of the Reading Rainbow series presents a feature book read by a celebrity or other well-known figure, an off-site segment or two, occasional additional stories, and other entertaining and educational activities related to the topic of the program. This episode is centered around math Read More

    2001
  • Star Trek: Voyager: Q2

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Roxann Dawson

    Synopsis: John de Lancie returns as the mercurial life force Q, this time with his troublesome son Q2 (played by de Lancie's real-life son, Keegan de Lancie) in tow. Having gone from infant to adolescent in only four years, Q2's personality hasn't quite matured to the level of his physiology, and before Read More

    2001
  • Dancing in September

    Actors: James Avery, Nicole Ari Parker, Michael Cavanaugh, Marcia Cross, Jenifer Lewis, Vicellous Shannon, Jay Underwood, Isaiah Washington, Malinda Williams

    Synopsis: Reggie Rock Bythewood makes his directorial debut with this sharp comedy-drama about love, compromise, and TV. The film opens with the parallel childhoods of Tomasina "Tommy" Crawford (Nicole Ari Parker) and George Washington (Isaiah Washington). Both were utterly shaped by television -- watching Roots Read More

    2000
  • Star Trek: Voyager: Live Fast and Prosper

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Roxann Dawson

    Synopsis: Intergalactic con artists Dela (Kaitlin Hopkins) and Mobar (Greg Daniel) hit upon a scheme to cheat various unfortunates out of crucial supplies. Using a seemingly endless array of disguise materials, the two crooks pose as Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and other members of the Voyager crew. In order to Read More

    2000
  • Star Trek: Voyager: Nightingale

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Roxann Dawson

    Synopsis: Eager to assume his first command, Ensign Kim (Garrett Wang) jumps at the chance to take charge of a Kraylor medical ship. In addition to the customary duties as skipper, Kim is also (apparently) responsible for the future of an entire alien race. Unfortunately, the euphoria of power is too much Read More

    2000
  • 1999
  • Smart House

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Ryan Merriman, Katey Sagal, Kevin Kilner, Jessica Steen

    Synopsis: Ryan Merriman, Katey Sagal and Kevin Kilner star in this comedy from Disney about a single father and his two children who win an unusual prize in a sweepstakes -- a state-of-the-art computer controlled house in which everything can be easily controlled with the touch of a keypad. Directed by LaVar Burton Read More

    1999
  • Star Trek: Insurrection

    Actors: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn

    Synopsis: Star Trek: Insurrection manages to recall the original 1960s series' spirit of liberalism, while transcending it for sheer boldness, embracing issues that are on the political cutting edge in the 1990s and beyond. The fact that the first 30 minutes are presented as a mystery only makes the Read More

    12/11/98
  • Reading Rainbow: When Aunt Lena Did the Rhumba

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: When Aunt Lena is confined to her bed after falling down doing the rhumba, her niece decides to do something to cheer her up. The feature book, When Aunt Lena Did the Rhumba, written by Eileen Kurtis-Kleinman and read by Lucie Arnaz, tells how she puts on a version of a Broadway musical for her Read More

    1998
  • 1998
  • Reading Rainbow: Worksong

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Young viewers gain a broader understanding of the working world in this Reading Rainbow episode. The featured book, Worksong, written by Gary Paulsen and read by David Canary, honors working people like nurses, farmers, soldiers, and office workers. The program examines a range of jobs, as host Read More

    1998
  • Reading Rainbow: My Life with the Wave

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: An ordinary child might bring home a stray kitten or dog, but what happens when a little boy brings a small wave back to his house? The comical results are shown in Reading Rainbow: My Life With the Wave, another in the series that shows students in the primary grades how much fun reading can be. Read More

    1998
  • Tiger Woods: Son, Hero & Champion

    Crew: Director

    Actors: Khalil Kain, Keith David, Freda Foh Shen

    Synopsis: The extraordinary private and professional life of the 1990's greatest young golfer Tiger Woods provides the subject for this biographical feature. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide Read More

    1/1/98
  • Reading Rainbow: Math Cure

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: To her frustration, a young girl finds that math is everywhere in Reading Rainbow: Math Cure, another in the series of programs encouraging children to read for fun. The humorous story is written by Jon Scieszka and read by Michelle Trachtenberg. Can math really influence everything in modern Read More

    1998
  • Reading Rainbow: Giving Thanks - A Native America Good Morning Message

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Native Americans have traditionally lived in harmony with the Earth, and have rituals that include a show of gratitude for what the Earth has given them in the way of food, shelter, and other needs. In Reading Rainbow: Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message, young viewers will learn Read More

    1997
  • 1997
  • Trekkies

    Synopsis: Thirty years ago, science-fiction editor Art Saha coined the term "trekkies" when he saw a few fans of Star Trek's first season wearing pointy ears. Today, the word is found in the Oxford dictionary, and aficionados of the long-run series have seen their subculture achieve stratospheric status. In Read More

    1997
  • Reading Rainbow: Regina's Big Mistake

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: When Regina sets out to create a picture of a rain forest, she makes mistakes, but keeps trying till success is achieved. The story by Marissa Moss is the principal book in Reading Rainbow: Regina's Big Mistake, and is read by Anna Holbrook. Viewers can observe host LeVar Burton's attempt to Read More

    1997
  • Reading Rainbow: Saturday Sancocho

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: When money is scarce, Maria and her mother swap their eggs for the necessary ingredients to make chicken sancocho. Saturday Sancocho, story and pictures by Leyla Torres, is the impetus for host LeVar Burton to venture to an auction to find out about the value placed on goods. There's a good deal Read More

    1997
  • Reading Rainbow: The Carousel

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In this program, the featured book by Liz Rosenberg concerns two siblings coping with the loss of their mother. As they reminisce, her legacy is revealed. Host LeVar Burton explores the topic of legacies with a group of youngsters and meets a woman who plans to teach her art of quilt-making to her Read More

    1997
  • Reading Rainbow: On the Day You Were Born

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The excitement surrounding the birth of a child is the focus of Reading Rainbow: On the Day You Were Born, as viewers can follow the progress of a pregnant couple two weeks before the delivery date. As the anticipation builds, the Estes family makes preparations to welcome a baby into their world Read More

    1997
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 119: Soldiers of the Empire

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Freshly escaped from a Dominion prison, Klingon General Martok (J.G. Hertzler) is assigned to a rescue mission. Bringing Worf and Dax along, Martok assumes command of the Klingon Bird of Prey Rotarron and sets out to fulfill his orders. But as the mission drags on, Worf comes to the Read More

    1997
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 132: Resurrection

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Kira is shocked beyond words when her slain lover Bareil (Philip Anglim) suddenly appears on DS9. It soon develops that this is actually the alternate-universe version of Bareil, and that he has shown up seeking asylum. Nonetheless, Kira finds herself falling love with the duplicate Bareil until Read More

    1997
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 128: Behind the Lines

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Still on board the Dominion-controlled DS9 (now renamed Terok Nor), Kira, Jake, Rom, and Odo continue their campaign to turn the Cardassians against the Dominion and vice versa. When Odo rejects Kira's latest strategy, she begins to doubt his loyalty. It turns out that she has good reason to do Read More

    1997
  • Reading Rainbow: Bread is for Eating

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Bread is central to the diet of many cultures throughout the world, with some groups regarding the breadmaking process as a bonding exercise. The story in this episode, Reading Rainbow: Bread Is for Eating deals with all the steps involved with making bread, beginning with the planting of the Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 88: The Bar Association

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Rebelling against Quark's obstreperous management tactics, his employees walk out on him. The situation is exacerbated when Quark's own brother Rom defies Ferengi tradition and organizes the employees into a union. Magnanimously offering to break up the subsequent strike, Liquidator Brunt (Jeffrey Combs Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Always My Dad

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Synopsis: The Reading Rainbow series has won many awards for its efforts to inspire children to read. It offers famous people reading featured picture books, as well as lively, entertaining trips and performances to enhance the material. In Reading Rainbow: Always My Dad, the subject involves families, and Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Owen

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In the title story, Owen is a mouse who doesn't want to part with his "blankie." Host LeVar Burton recalls his early childhood days, when he also had a favorite blanket, and endured moments of jealousy regarding his sibling. He discusses the challenges in facing transitions for the very young and Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 106: Things Past

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Mysteriously rendered unconscious, Sisko, Dax, Oro, and Garak awaken to find themselves on an alternate DS9, seven years in the past. This is daunting enough, but even more perplexing is the physical state in which the four crew members awaken. Though they appear "normal" to one another, to Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Hotel Animal

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The disadvantages of being small are discussed in Reading Rainbow: Hotel Animal, and young viewers are sure to be able to relate to the experiences offered in the program. Math concepts are part of the fun, as workers from the Matchbox car company talk about how cars are scaled down for their Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: How Much Is a Million?

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The Reading Rainbow series has won many awards, including honors from parents and educators' associations as well as multiple Emmys. In addition to encouraging young children to read, it makes them more aware of important cultural and social issues in the world. Reading Rainbow: How Much Is a Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 90: Rules of Engagement

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Worf undergoes an extradition hearing to determine if he should stand trial on his home planet. The Klingon Empire has charged Worf with firing upon a civilian transport and killing 444 passengers. Presiding over the hearing is merciless Klingon Advocate Ch'Pok (Ron Canada), who intends to prove Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Fly Away Home

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Daniel Saltzman reads the featured book Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting, which deals with homelessness in a sensitive manner. A boy and his father seek shelter in an airport, hoping that no one will suspect their true situation. Despite his circumstances, the boy is optimistic. Host LeVar Burton Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 96: To The Death

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: A rogue band of Jem'Hadar attacks DS9, prompting Sisko to mount a counteroffensive. While pursuing their assailants into the Gamma Quadrant, Sisko and his officers rescue a Jem'Har squadron that has also been attacked by the renegades. Despite the rescuees' avowed loyalty to the Dominion, Sisko Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Hot-Air Henry

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: When Henry the Siamese cat hops on board a hot-air balloon, he is in for the time of his life. Henry's flight inspires LeVar Burton to try the experience himself, and he takes off in a colorful balloon too. In Reading Rainbow: Hot-Air Henry, he also goes to National Space Camp to find out what is Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: Voyager: Dreadnought

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: This Star Trek: Voyager episode is from the popular show's second season. While Chief Engineer B'Elanna Torres (Roxann Dawson) struggles to convince the computer on an old Cardassian weapon not to blow up the peaceful planet of Rakosa, Captain Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) assists by warning the people Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: An exploration of music is the focus of this Reading Rainbow episode, as host LeVar Burton visits the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York City. The members of the Chamber Orchestra, who are between 8 and 18 years old, offer commentary on what it takes to be a musician in an Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Someplace Else

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In this episode of the Reading Rainbow series, the featured story, Someplace Else, tells about Mrs. Tilby, a woman who seeks a more exciting place to live than her own little town. She visits many locales before settling on the solution that is perfect for her needs. Host LeVar Burton discusses Read More

    1996
  • Star Trek: First Contact

    Actors: Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn

    Synopsis: The first "Trek" film to feature the cast of the Star Trek: The Next Generation TV series without any of the members of the original series, this action-packed hit was well received at the box office. The Federation comes under attack by its ongoing enemy, the Borg, a cybernetics-enhanced race Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: Uncle Jed's Barber Shop

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The award-winning Reading Rainbow series points out the virtues of reading for pleasure, while also addressing important social and cultural topics for young children. In Uncle Jed's Barber Shop by Margaree King Mitchell, Uncle Jed has always wanted to have his own barber shop, but there were Read More

    1996
  • Reading Rainbow: The Wonderful Towers of Watts

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In addition to promoting reading for children, the Reading Rainbow series frequently addresses contemporary sociological and cultural issues in a manner that young viewers can understand. The featured book in this episode, The Wonderful Towers of Watts, written by Patricia Zelver and read by Read More

    1995
  • Reading Rainbow: How to Make an Apple Pie and See the World

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The featured book of this episode is written by Marjorie Priceman, and read by Helen Mirren. When a pie maker cannot buy the ingredients needed to make an apple pie at the market, she takes an international journey to find them all. Chef Curtis Aikens shows LeVar Burton some basic cooking skills Read More

    1995
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 77: Indiscretion

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: Six years after the disappearance of a Cardassian war ship, parts of the vessel are found floating in space. Hoping to ascertain the whereabouts of the Bajoran prisoners who were being transported by the ship, Kira reluctantly joins forces with Gul Dukat (Marc Alaimo), who, it turns out, has an Read More

    1995
  • 1995
  • Reading Rainbow: Martha Speaks

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: This episode of the award-winning Reading Rainbow series might start a discussion among students regarding what their pets might say if only they could talk. LeVar Burton's dog Duke hosts the show and takes a field trip around his neighborhood. The featured book, Martha Speaks, concerns a dog who Read More

    1995
  • Reading Rainbow: The Sign Painter's Dream

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: Crabby Clarence normally is not a generous person, but the apple lady and the ghost of George Washington convince him otherwise in this episode of Reading Rainbow: The Sign Painter's Dream. His story was written by Roger Roth and is read by Jamie Farr. LeVar Burton visits a sign company to Read More

    1995
  • Reading Rainbow: Archibald Frisby

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Synopsis: In this highly acclaimed series hosted by LeVar Burton, youngsters are encouraged to participate in the fun of reading. Each episode features a picture book, usually read by a celebrity, with activities and field trips related to the subject. In addition to the main story, other books are Read More

    1995
  • Reading Rainbow: Alejandro's Gift

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Synopsis: The purpose of the Reading Rainbow series is to make reading fun for youngsters. Each episode features a picture book, a field trip related to the story, and activities to help kids appreciate the worlds that can be opened through books. In Reading Rainbow: Alejandro's Gift, viewers will learn Read More

    1995
  • Reading Rainbow: The Furry News - How to Make a Newspaper

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In this program, young viewers will learn about newspapers and how they are produced. Reading Rainbow: Furry News: How to Make a Newspaper is another in the popular series that encourages kids to read for pleasure. The featured book is full of facts about the steps involved in the making of a Read More

    1995
  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 81: The Sword of Kahless

    Crew: Director

    Synopsis: John Colicos guest stars as Kor, a legendary Klingon warrior. With a worshipful Worf and a reluctant Dax in tow, Kor begins a search for the Sword of Kahless, an Excalibur-like ancient artifact which may have the power to unite the Klingon Empire. In the course of the quest, Worf becomes possessed Read More

    1995
  • Parallel Lives

    Synopsis: Directed by Linda Yellen, this made-for-cable movie originally aired on the Showtime network and featured a star-studded cast including Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli, and James Belushi. The plot centers around several fraternity and sorority graduates who have decided to regroup at their alma mater. Read More

    1994
  • Reading Rainbow: Borreguita and the Coyote

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: In this popular series of programs aimed at preschool through fourth grade children, the many pleasures of reading are emphasized. Reading Rainbow: Borreguita and the Coyote is the story of how a lamb outsmarts a coyote, and host LeVar Burton gives the show a Mexican-American flavor. He explores Read More

    1994
  • Reading Rainbow: Applemando's Dreams

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Synopsis: Michael Learned reads the featured story of Appelemando's Dreams by Patricia Polacco, as the series continues to bring books alive for young children. Host LeVar Burton discusses art and painting, and the creative process. He interviews an artist whose medium is chalk, and talks with a group of Read More

    1994
  • Star Trek Generations

    Actors: Patrick Stewart, William Shatner, Malcolm McDowell, Jonathan Frakes, Brent Spiner

    Synopsis: The seventh Star Trek feature passed the torch to a new crew. Decades after the original "Trek," the skipper of the fourth USS Enterprise is Jean-Luc Picard (Patrick Stewart), who investigates a massacre at a science outpost. The only survivor is Dr. Soran (Malcolm McDowall), who Read More

    1994
  • Reading Rainbow: Hail to Mail

    Crew: Executive Producer

    Actors: LeVar Burton

    Synopsis: The mystery of how mail gets from one point to another is the focus of Reading Rainbow: Hail to Mail, as viewers get a good look at the U.S. postal system. The featured story is read by Al Roker, and concerns the journey of a certified letter from sender to recipient. The award-winning series of Read More

    1994