James Nathaniel Brown turns 79 today! A record setting fullback for the Cleveland Browns back in the day, Jim Brown proved to be a multi-faceted gem after leaving pro sports. He went on to act, produce and direct on both TV and in film and even has some blerd projects to his credit.
In sci-fi and action, Jim Brown’s talents are showcased in Mars Attacks! (1996), The Running Man (1987), Small Soldiers (1998), I’m Gonna Git You Sucka (1988) as well as on the original Knight Rider TV series.
In 1988, Brown founded the Amer-I-Can Program to empower at-risk youth and he also works with kids trying to break out of gang life in both LA and Cleveland.
Actor, philanthropist, director, producer and author LeVar Burton first jumped into the spotlight in 1977 when he portrayed young Kunta Kinte on the revolutionary and award-winning ABC miniseries Roots. Nailing his first audition ever, Burton was given his first professional role — by portraying this Alex Haley hero he became a part of a national and generational consciousness.
In 1983, Burton became host and executive producer of PBS’ Reading Rainbow, kicking off the show’s impressive 23-year run and setting the standards that would eventually lead to over 200 broadcast awards. Accolades for Reading Rainbow include a Peabody Award and 26 Emmys, a dozen of which Burton won as host and producer.
In 1987, Burton took on the role of Geordi La Forge for Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek: The Next Generation which ran until 1994 and basically restarted the Star Trek franchise as a going concern on television. He went on to portray La Forge in the subsequent Star Trek: TNG films and as a guest star on several of the series’ spin-offs.
In 2014, Burton’s Kickstarter campaign to relaunch Reading Rainbow blew up the internet, basically overnight, taking in $5 million in three days.
Along with a continuing career in acting, Burton has remained an active advocate for literacy, AIDS research, civil rights and education. A touchstone and icon for multiple generations, LeVar’s accomplishments go far beyond those listed here. He is a generous, compelling force in American popular culture and a truly unpretentious humanitarian. We love him. 5eva.
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