Profile America - LeVar Burton

WASHINGTON - Noted African-American actor LeVar Burton turns 54 today. He was born in Germany, where his father was stationed with the U.S. Army. Widespread recognition of his acting talent is based on two great roles he played on television — the 1977 drama series "Roots," where he played Kunta Kinte, and as Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge in the long running hit series "Star Trek, Next Generation." He also appeared in the last four of the Star Trek motion pictures. Burton remains very active and has directed many shows in both television and film. There are 154,000 producers and directors in the U.S. — 9 percent of them African-American.