Eian Burton, the son of famous actor and TV host LeVar Burton, has chosen a life very different from the world of Hollywood. While his father is well known for roles in Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and as the host of Reading Rainbow, Eian has built his own path as a special education teacher and coach.
In this article, we take a closer look at Eian Burton’s biography—his early life, education, career, family background, and personal life. We’ll also explore his relationship with his father, his bond with his half-sister Mica Burton, and how he has managed to stay out of the spotlight while making a real difference in his community.
Quick Bio of Eian Burton
| Attribute | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eian Burton Smith |
| Date of Birth | June 1980 |
| Age (2025) | 45 years |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Profession | Special Education Teacher, Children’s Sports Coach |
| Current Residence | Campbell, California, USA |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Father | LeVar Burton (actor, director, TV host) |
| Mother | Chimara P. Smith |
| Sibling | Mica Burton (half-sister) |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
| Height (approx.) | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
Early Life and Background
Eian Burton was born in June 1980 in Los Angeles, California, to actor LeVar Burton and Chimara P. Smith. His early years were not without challenges, as his parents were never married, and their relationship led to a public paternity case and custody disputes during the 1980s. A paternity test confirmed that LeVar was his father when Eian was about three years old, which brought some media attention at the time.
Despite these difficulties, Eian was raised with care and grew up mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area. Coming from an African-American family with a strong cultural background, he learned the importance of education and community values from a young age. Instead of stepping into the entertainment spotlight like his father, he chose to focus on building a private and meaningful life, guided by his own interests and passions.
Education and Personal Development
Eian Burton studied at Los Altos High School and later at Foothill College in California. Growing up with parents who valued learning, he developed a strong focus on education and community service. These experiences guided him toward a career in special education, where he could support children with unique learning needs and help them grow both academically and personally.
Career: Special Education Teacher & Coach
Eian Burton built his career as a special education teacher in Campbell, California, where he works with children who have different learning and developmental needs. He creates learning plans to help each student succeed and also spends time as a children’s sports coach, especially in basketball. Through teaching and coaching, he focuses on building confidence, teamwork, and personal growth in young people. His career path shows his dedication to education and community service, setting him apart from the Hollywood spotlight of his father.
Eian Burton Smith Age
Eian Burton was born in June 1980, which makes him 45 years old in 2025. He was raised in California and has spent most of his life living in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Physical Appearance
Eian Burton is described as having black hair and dark brown eyes, reflecting his African-American heritage. His height is estimated to be around 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm). Since he avoids the spotlight, there are very few recent public photos of him.
Father: LeVar Burton
Eian Burton’s father is LeVar Burton, a well-known American actor, director, and TV host. Born in 1957, LeVar became famous for playing Kunta Kinte in the TV series Roots and Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also inspired generations of children as the longtime host of Reading Rainbow. Over the years, LeVar has received multiple awards for his work in television and education. Despite his fame, he has tried to give his son Eian a stable upbringing and has always shown interest in being a part of his life.
Mother: Chimara P. Smith
Eian’s mother is Chimara P. Smith, who has kept her life mostly private. She was in a relationship with LeVar Burton in the early 1980s, which led to Eian’s birth in 1980. Their relationship was complicated, leading to paternity and custody disputes that became public at the time. Despite the challenges, Chimara focused on raising her son away from the spotlight and continues to maintain a very low profile today.
Sibling: Mica Burton
Eian has a younger half-sister, Mica Burton, born in 1994 to LeVar Burton and his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton. Unlike Eian, Mica has embraced the entertainment world. She is an actress, cosplayer, and gaming host who has appeared in productions such as Star Trek: Picard and the film Lazer Team. She is also very active in the online gaming and cosplay community. While Mica enjoys the spotlight, Eian prefers a quiet life, showing the different paths the siblings have chosen.
Personal Life and Interests
Eian Burton lives a private and low-profile life, choosing to stay away from the spotlight despite being the son of a famous actor. He is known to be single and has not shared details about his dating life or family plans. Outside of teaching, his interests include mentorship, community service, and sports, which is clear from his role as a children’s coach. On social media, he remains very reserved, with an inactive Instagram account and a modest Facebook presence focused more on his professional life than personal matters.
Challenges and Achievements
Growing up as the son of a famous actor, Eian Burton faced challenges early in life, including paternity disputes and custody battles that brought unwanted media attention. Despite these difficulties, he chose to live privately and build his own path. Instead of following his father into acting, he focused on education and became a special education teacher and coach, making a positive difference in the lives of children with learning and developmental needs. His greatest achievement is creating a meaningful career centered on helping others, mentorship, and community service, proving that success is not only about fame but also about impact.
Relationship with Father LeVar Burton and Family
Eian Burton’s relationship with his father, LeVar Burton, began with difficulties, as a paternity test confirmed LeVar as his father when Eian was three years old. This led to legal custody disputes and public attention in the 1980s. Despite the challenges, LeVar sought joint custody and made efforts to be present in Eian’s life, showing his commitment as a parent. Over time, their bond grew stronger, with LeVar supporting Eian while respecting his choice to live a private life. Eian also shares a connection with his half-sister, Mica Burton, who works in the entertainment industry. Although Mica enjoys the spotlight and Eian prefers a quieter path in education, both siblings reflect the values of family and personal growth instilled by their father.
Eian Burton’s Net Worth and Financial Overview
Eian Burton’s net worth is not publicly known, as he has always kept his financial life private. Unlike his father, LeVar Burton, who has earned an estimated $6 million from his long career in acting and television, Eian makes his living as a special education teacher and sports coach in California. While his income is modest compared to the entertainment industry, his focus is not on wealth but on the value of service, education, and community impact. His financial stability comes from his dedication to teaching, which he considers more rewarding than fame or fortune.
Public and Online Presence
Eian Burton prefers to live a private and low-key life, with very little activity online. His Instagram account (@eianwardburton) has no public posts, showing that he does not seek attention through social media. On Facebook, he is more active, with over 1,700 friends, where he shares parts of his professional life as a teacher and coach rather than personal or celebrity-related updates. Unlike his sister Mica, who maintains a strong online following, Eian uses social media mainly to connect with his community while keeping his personal world out of the public eye.
Future Aspirations
Looking ahead, Eian Burton’s future goals seem to remain rooted in education, mentorship, and community service. With his background as a special education teacher and children’s sports coach, he is likely to continue supporting young people both academically and personally. His passion for guiding students with unique needs and helping them build confidence shows a long-term commitment to making a difference. Rather than pursuing fame or wealth, Eian’s aspirations focus on expanding his impact in education and youth development, carrying forward values of service and learning that have shaped his life.
Conclusion
Eian Burton’s life shows that success is not only about fame but also about making a real difference in the lives of others. As the son of actor LeVar Burton, he could have followed a career in entertainment, but instead, he chose a meaningful path in special education and coaching. Despite early challenges with family disputes and public attention, he built a private and steady life focused on teaching, mentorship, and community service. His story highlights the value of education, resilience, and staying true to personal goals. By choosing service over the spotlight, Eian has created his own legacy, separate from his father’s fame, yet equally impactful in its own way.
FAQs About Eian Burton
1. Who is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton is the son of American actor and TV host LeVar Burton. Unlike his father, he did not join the entertainment industry. Instead, he works as a special education teacher and children’s sports coach in California.
2. How old is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton was born in June 1980, which makes him 45 years old in 2025.
3. What does Eian Burton do for a living?
He works as a special education teacher in Campbell, California, where he supports students with unique learning needs. He is also a children’s sports coach, helping kids build teamwork and confidence.
4. Who are Eian Burton’s parents?
Eian’s father is LeVar Burton, the actor known for Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Reading Rainbow. His mother is Chimara P. Smith, who has lived a very private life.
5. Does Eian Burton have siblings?
Yes, Eian has a half-sister named Mica Burton, born to LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton. Mica is an actress, cosplayer, and gaming host who works in entertainment.
6. Is Eian Burton married?
No, Eian Burton is currently single. He keeps his personal life private and has not shared any information about relationships or marriage.
7. Does Eian Burton have children?
There is no public information suggesting that Eian Burton has children. He focuses on his work as a teacher and coach, supporting young people in his community.
8. What is Eian Burton’s net worth?
Eian Burton’s net worth is not publicly known. His income comes from working as a teacher and coach. Unlike his father, who has an estimated net worth of around $6 million, Eian has chosen a career focused on education and service rather than wealth.
