The Emotional Discovery in LaVar Burton's Family Tree | Finding Your Roots | PBS

LeVar Burton did not know much about his father's side of the family, a man who has been absent for most of LaVar's life. Going further back in the Burton family tree reveals a profound shared heritage, both LaVar's paternal great-grandfather and grandfather were educators.

LeVar Burton launched his acting career while still a student at the University of Southern California. At 19, he found himself on the cover of Time Magazine, after landing the groundbreaking role of Kunta Kinte in the landmark television series Roots. A seemingly impossible act to follow, Burton achieved further global acclaim as Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge in the iconic Star Trek: The Next Generation television series – a role he reprised in Star Trek: Picard in 2023. However, it has been his role as host and executive producer of the beloved PBS children’s series Reading Rainbow of which he is most proud. Airing from 1983 to 2009, it was not only one of the longest-running children’s television shows in history, but also one of the most acclaimed, earning over 200 awards including multiple Emmys and a Peabody.

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Finding Your Roots
Renowned scholar Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. guides influential guests into their roots, uncovering deep secrets, hidden identities and lost ancestors. Using genealogical detective work and cutting-edge DNA analysis, Gates guides influential guests deep into the branches of their family trees, revealing surprising stories of forgotten ancestors that transcend borders, illuminating an American root system fortified by its diversity.

[michaeljohnson]

Levar Burton's come full circle - from "Roots" to "Finding Your Roots".

[ErroneousTheory]

This made me cry! This man inspired me to become an engineer when I had no educational or vocational prospects back in the late 1980s. Deep love and respect to Levar Burton!

[ThatGeekyMaker]

LeVar Burton is a wonderful person. About a decade ago, I met his niece, whom my company had hired as an office assistant at one of our other offices. She noticed I had some sci-fi collectables in my office and she asked if I liked Star Trek. I told her Star Trek TNG was my favorite TV show of all time. She told me her uncle was in Star Trek and I asked who her uncle was. She said LeVar Burton. My mouth dropped, I told her I was not only a big fan of him from STTNG but also admired him for Reading Rainbow. We had a nice chat about him. She told me he was as nice a person as he appears on TV. About a week later, an envelope arrived in the mail. I opened it and it was a picture of Geordi LaForge, personally autographed to me. Thank you LeVar! And thank you for continuing to promote reading and education.

[amyliebert]

Think how proud those men would be to know their descendent is alive today helping to educate kids all over the nation <3

[janeq]

Levar Burton deserves the whole world. From Reading Rainbow to Star Trek and beyond, he's been a light his whole career.

[briandeschene]

If anyone deserves to find something out that makes him feel more pride in himself, it is this man.

[MillennialMcGuyver]

I learned English in great deal because of Levar Burton and PBS. As a little immigrant kid who went on to graduate from an Ivy League school, it isn’t lost on me how much his influence has rippled through the ages. I hope he knows how much he means to so many of us. Thank you to his ancestors as well ❤

[Ochrelotus]

LaVar, you raised me, my sister and my brother. You educated us ALL. Those tears aren't enough. If you knew how much you gave us, you'd never stop crying. THANK. YOU. FOR. BEING. YOU!

[getplaning]

"Finding Your Roots" is one of the best programs PBS has ever done.

[Rebel_AF]

Mr. Burton, you made me a lifelong reader ❤ and as a result, a best-selling novelist. You inherited a marvelous trait as an educator. THANK YOU from Hong Kong 🇭🇰

[rosalyndemi]

" This information is something that we need in order to feel whole. " Powerful!

[allamaraine]

As a 90’s kid, I’ve loved this man for most of my life. Burton was everywhere, man! The Next Generation, Reading Rainbow, Captain Planet… A lot of us look up to this dude. Absolutely wonderful getting to watch him experience this. And fun fact: Burton and I were born in the same hospital!

[korinda]

There is something so special about being a teacher, and knowing you come from teachers. There is a love so deep for education in our family that we say it's "in our blood" - I am so grateful LeVar got to have this moment to know it's in his, too.

[Ondrix]

For someone who has given so much, to so many, I'm glad he was able to finally recieve something so special for himself.

[vannesavasquez]

Thinking back on my childhood, I can thank my momma for getting me a library card at a very young age and Lavar Burton for my first love, which was reading books. I wish I can tell him how much he changed my life and countless others with his passion for reading. I wish I can hug you, Lavar. You're inspirational and loved by millions.

[mlbrooks]

Several years ago LB gave the Remembrance Day speech in Gettysburg, the anniversary of the dedication of the cemetery and of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. I used to volunteer at those gatherings and heard many speeches, but LB's was the best by a long shot. When he was introduced, he got his biggest applause for Reading Rainbow (not Roots or Star Trek), and his speech told all about his mother's dedication to seeing her children learned to read and learned to love it. The man is seriously dedicated to education and seeing everyone can learn. Now he knows that dedication came down to him from both parents. No wonder he is overwhelmed.

[GratitudeGriot]

Love this for Levar Burton!! 1. ❤ that he got to experience this wonderful surprise that his ancestors were educators too 2. 🖤 that PBS would honor him, his family, and his legacy with the station by featuring their story 3. 💚 the evolution from ancestor to descendant to getting to witness so many chapters of his career. I grew up on Reading Rainbow in the 80s. Currently loving the Levar Burton Reads podcast. It's been such a joy to exist on Earth at the same time as the iconic Levar Burton!!!❤🖤💚

[galenrandir]

Reading Rainbow had such a profound impact on me as a kid. I am now in my mid 30s and I still love reading with a passion. I hope LeVar knows what an impact he has had.

[ForNoOne]

I grew up as a child having Levar Burton teach me about the joy of reading through Reading Rainbow. Then he brought one of my favorite characters to life on Star Trek. I grew up with him. What a wonderful person he is, I wish him the best in life - thank you, Mr. Burton!

[PNWGardener]

Seeing Mr. Burton cry is like seeing my own parent cry. 😭 What an amazing discovery!