
Eian Burton, born in 1980, is LeVar Burton’s eldest son, who works as a special education teacher in Campbell, California. Unlike his famous father or his sister Mica, Eian chose education over entertainment, building a quiet but impactful career helping students with diverse learning needs.
Eian Burton is the 45-year-old son of actor LeVar Burton, known for Star Trek: The Next Generation and Reading Rainbow. But you won’t find Eian on red carpets or TV screens.
He works as a special education teacher in Campbell, California. He also coaches basketball and serves as a community-based instructor for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
While his father inspired millions through television and his sister Mica pursued acting and hosting, Eian built something different—a career helping students who need support the most.
His story matters because it shows success comes in many forms. Not every child of a celebrity wants the spotlight. Some choose impact over attention.
Eian Burton Smith was born in 1980 in Los Angeles. His mother is Chimara P. Smith. His father is LeVar Burton.
But LeVar didn’t know he had a son for the first three years of Eian’s life.
The relationship between his parents was brief. When Eian was three years old, a paternity test confirmed LeVar was his biological father. This revelation led to legal custody battles that played out in public.
In 1983, LeVar Burton learned he had a son through the Los Angeles district attorney’s office. He immediately sought joint legal custody and visitation rights.
LeVar grew up in a single-parent home and wanted Eian to have both parents in his life. He voluntarily began paying $600 monthly in child support.
A year later, tensions escalated. Chimara accused LeVar of kidnapping Eian after a vacation, though the situation was later resolved. According to LeVar’s representatives, the extended stay was at Chimara’s request during a difficult period.
These early challenges shaped Eian’s childhood. Growing up meant dealing with public scrutiny, complex family dynamics, and the weight of having a famous father who wasn’t initially part of his life.
Despite the rocky start, LeVar and Eian built a relationship. They kept it mostly private, away from the media attention that surrounded the Burton family.
Eian attended Los Altos High School in Los Altos, California. The school offered strong academic programs and served a diverse student body.
After graduating, he enrolled at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Foothill College is part of the Foothill-De Anza Community College District and offers associate degree programs that prepare students for four-year universities or direct entry into careers.
Eian studied education. This choice reflected values instilled by his family—despite the entertainment industry connection, the Burtons valued learning and community service.
His father’s work on Reading Rainbow centered on literacy and education. This emphasis on helping others learn likely influenced Eian’s career direction, even if he chose classroom teaching rather than television.
Eian Burton works in Campbell, California, focusing on special education. This field requires patience, specialized training, and commitment to students with learning disabilities, emotional challenges, or developmental needs.
He tailors individualized learning plans to help students thrive academically and socially. Each student gets a customized approach based on their strengths and challenges.
Special education isn’t just about academics. It’s about building confidence, teaching life skills, and creating environments where every child can succeed. Eian works with students who have autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other conditions that require adapted teaching methods.
Beyond the classroom, Eian serves multiple roles:
Special education teachers in California typically earn between $45,000-$75,000 annually, depending on experience and location. Campbell’s cost of living is high, but Eian’s work provides stability and, more importantly, purpose.
His teaching philosophy centers on personal growth and community engagement. He doesn’t just teach subjects—he helps young people understand their potential.
LeVar Burton built a legendary career. He played Kunta Kinte in Roots, Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, and hosted Reading Rainbow for 23 years.
His estimated net worth is around $6 million. He’s won multiple Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Generations of children grew up with his voice encouraging them to read.
But Eian didn’t follow that path.
His half-sister Mica Burton, born in 1994, did pursue entertainment. She’s an actress, cosplayer, and host. She even played Ensign Alandra La Forge—Geordi’s daughter—in Star Trek: Picard season 3, acting alongside their real father.
The contrast between siblings is striking. Mica embraced the public eye. Eian avoided it. Yet both reflect their father’s values in different ways.
LeVar married Stephanie Cozart Burton, a professional makeup artist, in 1992. The family lives in Sherman Oaks, California. LeVar has said education is the Burton family business, noting his mother, sister, nieces, and son all work in the education field.
This family context explains Eian’s choice. Teaching wasn’t a rejection of his father’s success—it was an embrace of deeper family values about service and learning.
At 45, Eian Burton remains single. He lives in Campbell, where he teaches.
His Instagram account @eianwardburton has minimal activity—no posts as of recent checks. His Facebook profile shows more connection with over 1,700 friends, but he rarely shares personal details.
This privacy is intentional. Growing up with media attention during the paternity case taught Eian the cost of public exposure. He chose a different approach.
His social media activity primarily showcases his professional life rather than personal or celebrity-related content. When he does post, it’s about his work—teaching, coaching, or community involvement.
Physical details are sparse because Eian keeps them that way. He’s described as having black hair and dark brown eyes, standing approximately 5’7″. But specifics matter less than his choices.
He maintains relationships with his father and sister. They respect his boundaries. When Mica talks about family in interviews, she rarely discusses Eian in detail—honoring his privacy preference.
Living in Campbell keeps him close to his work and students. Unlike many celebrity children who base themselves in Los Angeles or New York, Eian chose a smaller community where he can focus on his mission.
We live in a culture obsessed with celebrity. Children of famous people face enormous pressure to capitalize on their connections.
Eian Burton shows a different possibility.
He had every opportunity to pursue entertainment. His father’s connections could have opened doors. His sister’s path proved Hollywood careers were accessible.
But Eian chose something harder to measure—impact without applause.
While LeVar enlightened millions through television, Eian makes his impact one student at a time. Both matter. Both create change.
His story challenges our definitions of success. Net worth and name recognition feel important, but they’re not the only metrics. The teacher who helps a struggling student find confidence creates value that doesn’t show up in headlines.
Eian’s work in special education serves students others might overlook. These children need advocates, skilled teachers, and people who believe in them. That’s exactly what he provides.
His choice also reflects authenticity. He didn’t pick teaching to prove something or rebel against his father. He chose it because it fit who he is—someone who values service, privacy, and direct human connection.
This authenticity in a fame-obsessed world deserves recognition, not through invasive coverage or unwanted attention, but through respect for his decision.
Eian works as a special education teacher in Campbell, California. He also coaches basketball and serves as a community-based instructor for the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
Eian is LeVar Burton’s eldest son. His mother is Chimara P. Smith. LeVar discovered he had a son when Eian was three years old, following a paternity test in 1983.
No. Eian Burton is currently single and maintains a private personal life, keeping it away from public attention.
No. Unlike his father, LeVar, or his sister Mica, Eian chose a career in education rather than entertainment. He has no public acting or media credits.
Eian was born in 1980, making him 45 years old as of 2025.
Yes. His half-sister is Mica Burton, born in 1994. She works as an actress, cosplayer, and host in the entertainment industry.
He attended Los Altos High School in California and later studied education at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills.
Eian values privacy after growing up with media attention surrounding his family. He focuses on his teaching career and personal life rather than seeking public recognition.