LeVar Burton
Actor
About This Interview
Long before becoming a part of the Star Trek universe himself, LeVar Burton watched the original series, impressed to see an African-American character in Nichelle Nichols's "Uhura": "I was a huge Star Trek fan when I was a kid. I loved science fiction literature and it was rare for me to see heroes in the pages of those novels who looked like me. Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future said to me, you— you little black kid from Sacramento, California, reading science fiction books — when the future comes, there's a place for you." LeVar Burton became an instant star with his television debut, playing "Kunta Kinte" in Roots , but he is just as well known in children's television as the Daytime Emmy-winning host of Reading Rainbow. So, too, is he well known in the sci-fi world, as the visor-wearing "Lt. Geordi La Forge" in Star Trek: The Next Generation. In his Archive interview, Burton describes his drama studies at the University of Southern California (USC), and chronicles his participation in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots -- his casting, his immersion into the role he played, and his work with the all-star cast. He comments on the legacy of Roots and speaks fondly of writer Alex Haley. He recalls getting cast on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and meeting and getting to know show creator Gene Roddenberry. Burton describes the character he played on the show (and the challenges in playing him), and comments on his role as one of the series' directors. He details the concept of and book selection on Reading Rainbow, and talks about his work as a voice-over artist and director in television and features. Steven Wishnoff conducted the two-and-a-half-hour interview in North Hollywood, CA on January 27, 2009.
Related To This Video
Featured Content
Watch a scene from "Roots":
Watch LeVar Burton's favorite episode of Reading Rainbow, "Amazing Grace":
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Highlights
LeVar Burton on how Roots was a seminal event in people's lives and has become part of history
Clip begins at: 07:50, Duration: 01m 15s
LeVar Burton on how Roots raised the bar for TV miniseries
Clip begins at: 14:31, Duration: 01m 37s
LeVar Burton on getting cast on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Clip begins at: 16:35, Duration: 02m 32s
Le Var Burton on his Star Trek: The Next Generation character "Geordi La Forge"
Clip begins at: 27:37, Duration: 03m 51s
Interview
- Part 1
- On his early childhood in Germany; on his love of books and travel; on wanting to be Sidney Poitier when he grew up; on joining the seminary at age 13 and deciding not to become a priest; on majoring in drama at USC
Clip begins at: 0:25 - On meeting Ben Vereen as a youngster and getting to work with him later in Roots; on getting cast in Roots while a sophomore at USC; on early screen tests and production meetings on Roots; on understanding and relating to his Roots character, Kunta Kinte
Clip begins at: 14:03 - On Kunta Kinte and his first day of work on Roots; on the unique perspective shown in Roots - history as told by the African point of view; on his Roots character, Kunta Kinte; on the idea for Roots: The Next Generation and his fallout with David Wolper; on being mentored by Alex Haley and working with Stan Marguiles; on Fred Rogers and the power of television and good storytelling
Clip begins at: 27:50 - On John Amos playing the older Kunta Kinte; on being nominated for an Emmy; on reprising the role of Kunta Kinte in Roots: The Gift
Clip begins at: 53:34 - Part 2
- On hosting the 25th Anniversary Special on Roots on NBC (not ABC on which the miniseries aired) and the impact of the miniseries
Clip begins at: 0:4 - On stories viewers of Roots have shared with him; on how Roots was a seminal event in people's lives and has become part of history; on how his daughter could and couldn't separate him from his characters on television; on his thoughts on Roots co-stars; on how Roots raised the bar for TV miniseries
Clip begins at: 07:25 - On getting cast on Star Trek: The Next Generation; on meeting and working with Gene Roddenberry; on the "prime directive"; on his Star Trek: The Next Generation character "Geordi La Forge"; on his visor
Clip begins at: 16:03 - On the challenges of special effects on the show; on being reunited with Ben Vereen on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the connections between Roots and Star Trek; on his experiences with Trekkies and getting recognized as "Geordi"
Clip begins at: 34:43 - On directing the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Second Chances"; on his favorite episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the series finale; on the relationship between "Geordi" and "Data"; on his co-stars
Clip begins at: 42:57 - Part 3
- On how he became involved with PBS' Reading Rainbow; on selecting books for Reading Rainbow; on hosting the show for 25 years and keeping it fresh; on his favorite Reading Rainbow episode, "Amazing Grace"; on why he loved Reading Rainbow and the evolution of the material
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On one of his favorite scenes in Roots; on Reading Rainbow winning awards and the show's impact; on doing voiceover work; on being the narrator for Captain Planet and the Planeteers; on directing the more recent series of Star Trek
Clip begins at: 17:25 - On directing The Tiger Woods Story; On television movies made about living people; on what draws him to biopics; on his wish to do a biopic of Sidney Poitier; on the children's film Blizzard
Clip begins at: 24:13 - On then-current projects; on exploring his own family history; on advice to future generations; on how fame has affected him; on what he hopes the future has in store for him
Clip begins at: 31:43


A legend indeed. I really admire Levar Burton. An icon for me.
Excellent interview with a legend!
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