Eian Burton is the eldest son of American actor, director and television host LeVar Burton, known for Roots, Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Born in 1980, Eian has followed a different professional path from his famous father, working in education rather than entertainment. His early childhood became the subject of news coverage when his father sought legal recognition of their relationship in 1983. As an adult, Eian has worked in California schools, continuing a family tradition of education that extends across several generations. His family background, professional experience and connection to his younger half-sister, Mica Burton, offer a fuller picture of his life.
Eian Burton Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Eian Burton |
| Also identified as | Eian Burton Smith |
| Date of birth | June 23, 1980 |
| Age | 46 years old, as of September 2026 |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | LeVar Burton |
| Mother | Chimara P. Smith |
| Half-sister | Mica Burton |
| Profession | Education support, including special education |
| Known for | Being LeVar Burton’s eldest son |
Who Is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton is the firstborn child of LeVar Burton, whose career spans acting, directing, children’s television and literacy advocacy. Eian was born on June 23, 1980, three years after his father became widely known for portraying the young Kunta Kinte in the landmark television miniseries Roots.
Unlike his father and younger half-sister, Eian has not established a comparable career in the entertainment industry. His professional background is connected to educational support and work with children in California schools.
His father publicly acknowledged that connection during a 2023 interview, identifying Eian among several Burton family members working in education.
Eian Burton’s Early Life and Parents
Eian Burton was born to LeVar Burton and Chimara P. Smith. His parents were not married, and LeVar did not learn that he had a son until Eian was nearly three years old.
How LeVar Burton Discovered He Had a Son
In June 1983, LeVar Burton filed a paternity suit in Los Angeles Superior Court to establish his legal relationship with Eian.
At the time, Burton was 26 years old. Blood tests had confirmed his paternity, and he sought legal recognition as Eian’s father, along with custody and visitation rights.
He also offered to pay $600 per month in child support. His legal action attracted national news coverage because he was already a recognized television actor.
The case brought attention to the importance Burton placed on having an active role in his son’s upbringing.
The Custody Dispute
Further disagreements concerning Eian’s care emerged in 1984. News coverage in February of that year documented a payment of overdue child support.
In June, Chimara P. Smith alleged that LeVar had failed to return their son following an agreed vacation. Burton’s representative disputed her account, stating that Smith had asked him to care for Eian for an extended period.
The conflicting accounts became part of the family’s early public history. They should not be confused with a judicial finding that the allegations were established.
Eian Burton’s Career in Education
Education is a significant part of Eian Burton’s professional background.
Public employment records under the name Eian W. Burton identify positions involving special education and classroom support in California. Records for the Santa Clara County Office of Education list work as a special education paraeducator between 2012 and 2014.
Later records include special education support positions in other California school districts. A 2024 employment record lists Eian W. Burton as a Behavior Intervention Technician I in the Los Altos Elementary School District.
A paraeducator generally works alongside teachers and other school professionals to support classroom instruction, student development and individual learning needs. Behavior intervention technicians may help students develop communication, behavioral and social skills under an established educational support plan.
These documented job titles are more specific than describing his entire career simply as that of a special education teacher. They also establish an educational employment history without assuming his current job title or workplace.
Education Runs in the Burton Family
LeVar Burton has repeatedly spoken about his family’s connection to teaching.
His mother, Erma Christian, worked as an English teacher before becoming a social worker. His older sister and two nieces also entered education.
During an April 2023 interview, LeVar described education as the Burton family business and specifically included his son among the family members involved.
LeVar’s own contribution has taken a different form. Through Reading Rainbow, he spent decades introducing children to books, storytelling and the pleasure of reading.
Eian’s professional experience connects him to that same family tradition through direct educational work.
Eian Burton’s Relationship With His Father
LeVar Burton learned of Eian’s existence after his birth and subsequently took legal action to establish their relationship. Their early family circumstances were documented in contemporary news coverage.
In later interviews, LeVar has spoken about his responsibilities as a father and his family’s involvement in education. His inclusion of Eian in discussions about the family’s teaching tradition provides a direct public acknowledgment of his son’s professional life.
However, LeVar generally discusses his family in the context of parenthood, education and storytelling rather than sharing detailed accounts of his adult son’s private life.
Who Is Eian Burton’s Sister, Mica Burton?
Mica Burton is Eian Burton’s younger paternal half-sister. She was born in 1994 to LeVar Burton and his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton, a professional makeup artist.
Mica has pursued a career in acting, hosting and entertainment. She appeared alongside her father in the third season of Star Trek: Picard, portraying Alandra La Forge, the daughter of LeVar’s character, Geordi La Forge.
The father-daughter appearance was a notable moment in LeVar’s return to the franchise, which had become central to his career in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Eian and Mica have followed different professional directions. Mica’s work is centered on performance and media, while Eian’s documented experience is in education.
Eian Burton’s Life Outside Entertainment
Eian’s public professional background differs from the entertainment careers of his father and sister. His work in schools involves educational assistance and student support rather than performing or presenting on screen.
His family has also maintained connections to education beyond television. In 2024, LeVar appeared on Finding Your Roots, where he discovered that an ancestor on his father’s side had helped establish a school for African American children in Arkansas.
That discovery added another dimension to the educational tradition LeVar has described in his family interviews.
For Eian, the clearest record of his adult working life remains his involvement in education, including special education and behavioral support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eian Burton
1. Who is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton is the eldest son of actor, director and television host LeVar Burton. Born in 1980, he has a professional background in educational support, including special education positions in California schools.
2. How old is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton was born on June 23, 1980. He turned 46 on June 23, 2026.
3. Who is Eian Burton’s mother?
His mother is Chimara P. Smith. She and LeVar Burton were involved in a paternity and custody dispute during Eian’s early childhood.
4. What does Eian Burton do for a living?
Eian Burton has worked in education. Public employment records include positions as a special education paraeducator and behavior intervention technician. His father has also publicly identified him as a member of the family’s education profession.
5. Are Eian Burton and Mica Burton related?
Yes. They are paternal half-siblings who share the same father, LeVar Burton. Eian’s mother is Chimara P. Smith, while Mica’s mother is Stephanie Cozart Burton.
6. Did Eian Burton become an actor?
Eian Burton has not established a widely documented professional acting career. His known employment history is associated with education rather than film or television.
Conclusion
Eian Burton’s biography combines an unusual early family history with a professional life connected to education. Born in 1980, he became publicly known through his father’s paternity case, but his adult work has followed a path outside Hollywood. His experience supporting students in California schools also places him within a multigenerational family of educators, a connection LeVar Burton has acknowledged publicly.
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