Eian Burton is the son of American actor, director, and television host LeVar Burton. Unlike his famous father, Eian did not choose a career in entertainment. He has worked in education, including special education, and has also been involved in basketball coaching.
Eian was born in 1980 to LeVar Burton and Chimara P. Smith. LeVar reportedly learned that he had a son when Eian was about three years old. Eian later built a private life and career in California.
Eian Burton Smith’s Profile Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Eian Burton Smith |
| Also Known As | Eian Burton, Eian Ward Burton |
| Birth Year | 1980 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA (reported) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Special education educator, basketball coach |
| Education | Foothill College |
| High School | Los Altos High School (reported) |
| Father | LeVar Burton |
| Mother | Chimara P. Smith |
| Half-Sister | Mica Burton |
| Relationship Status | Not currently confirmed |
| Children | None publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly known |
| Known For | LeVar Burton’s son and his work in education |
Eian Burton’s Early Life
Eian Burton Smith was born in 1980. Los Angeles, California, has been reported as his birthplace.
His exact birthday has not been publicly confirmed.
Eian spent the first few years of his life without knowing his father. Reports say LeVar Burton did not know Eian existed until Eian was about three years old.
Who Are Eian Burton’s Parents?

Eian’s parents are LeVar Burton and Chimara P. Smith.
Reports say LeVar and Chimara were not in a long-term relationship when Eian was conceived. LeVar later said he did not initially know that Chimara had given birth to his son.
Little reliable information is publicly available about Chimara P. Smith’s education, career, or current life.
The supplied sources do not indicate that LeVar and Chimara were ever married.
How LeVar Burton Learned About His Son
LeVar reportedly learned about Eian in 1983.
According to reports, a paternity test confirmed that LeVar was Eian’s biological father when Eian was around three years old.
LeVar said he learned about the child after being contacted by the district attorney.
After his paternity was established, LeVar wanted to become involved in his son’s life.
LeVar Burton Sought Custody and Visitation
Reports from the time say LeVar asked the Los Angeles Superior Court for joint legal custody and visitation rights.
He also reportedly agreed to pay $600 each month in child support.
LeVar explained that he had grown up in a single-parent household with his mother. He wanted Eian to have both parents involved in his life.
The Custody Dispute Involving Eian
A dispute between Eian’s parents later received media attention.
According to historical reports, Eian was supposed to spend about two weeks traveling with his father. His mother later claimed that LeVar had not returned him as expected and feared he had taken Eian to Africa.
LeVar’s agent, Dolores Robinson, disputed this account.
She said Eian was safe with his grandmother in Sacramento, California. According to Robinson, LeVar had traveled to Africa separately for work.
The allegation was part of a dispute between Eian’s parents and should not be treated as proof that LeVar kidnapped his son.
Who Is LeVar Burton?
LeVar Burton is an American actor, director, television host, and educator.
He became widely known after playing Kunta Kinte in the 1977 television miniseries Roots. LeVar was around 19 when he was cast in the role.
He later played Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
LeVar is also known for hosting the children’s educational television program Reading Rainbow. His work on the show made him strongly associated with children’s reading and education.
In July 2021, he also served as a guest host of Jeopardy!.
LeVar married makeup artist Stephanie Cozart on October 3, 1992.
Eian Burton’s Sister Mica Burton
Eian has a younger paternal half-sister named Michaela “Mica” Jean Burton.
Mica is the daughter of LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton.
She followed her father into entertainment and media. Her work has included acting, modeling, gaming, cosplay, YouTube, and esports.
Eian and Mica therefore chose different professional paths. Mica entered entertainment, while Eian focused mainly on education.
Eian Burton’s Education
Eian reportedly attended Los Altos High School in California.
He later studied Education at Foothill College.
The available information does not confirm his exact degree, graduation year, or any other schools he attended.
His studies in education match the professional field he later entered.
Eian Burton’s Career in Education
Eian chose a different career from his father.
He has worked in special education, helping students who need additional support at school.
Special education can include working with students who have different learning, cognitive, physical, emotional, or developmental needs.
Eian’s exact current position in 2026 has not been publicly confirmed.
His Work at Monroe Middle School
Eian’s reported Facebook profile previously listed him as working in Special Education at Monroe Middle School in San Jose, California.
The information was publicly reported in 2023.
It is not clear whether he still works at Monroe Middle School today.
Work With the Santa Clara County Office of Education
Eian has also reportedly worked as a Community Base Instructor with the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
This is another role connected with his career in education and student support.
His current status with the organization has not been confirmed.
Eian Burton as a Basketball Coach
Education is not Eian’s only reported work with young people.
He has also worked as a basketball coach. One source additionally lists him as a former activities coordinator.
There is no reliable information about a specific professional basketball team connected with Eian. His coaching appears to be connected more closely with youth and educational activities.
Is Eian Burton Married?
There is no reliable public information showing that Eian Burton is married.
His Facebook profile reportedly listed him as single in 2023.
His current relationship status has not been publicly confirmed.
Does Eian Burton Have Children?
Eian does not have any publicly confirmed children in the available sources.
He keeps his personal life private, so information about his relationships and family life is limited.
Where Does Eian Burton Live?
Eian has lived in California.
His social media reportedly listed Campbell, California, as his residence in 2023.
It is not publicly confirmed whether he still lives there.
Eian Burton’s Net Worth
Eian Burton’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
His career has been in education rather than the entertainment industry. There is not enough public financial information about his salary, assets, or other income to provide an accurate estimate.
Eian Burton’s Social Media
Eian has reportedly used Instagram under the username @eianwardburton.
He has also used a Facebook profile under the name Eian Ward Burton.
In 2023, one report listed about 150 followers on his Instagram account and around 1,700 Facebook friends. Those numbers may have changed.
His social media name is worth noting because public sources usually identify him as Eian Burton Smith, while his reported profiles use Eian Ward Burton.
Why Is Eian Burton Known?
Eian is mainly known because he is LeVar Burton’s son.
His childhood also received media attention because LeVar did not learn that he was Eian’s father until Eian was about three.
As an adult, Eian did not build a public entertainment career around his father’s name. Available information instead connects him with special education, community-based instruction, and basketball coaching.
Facts About Eian Burton
- His full name is Eian Burton Smith.
- He was born in 1980.
- His exact birthday has not been publicly confirmed.
- Los Angeles, California, is reported as his birthplace.
- His father is actor and television host LeVar Burton.
- His mother is Chimara P. Smith.
- LeVar reportedly learned about Eian when Eian was around three years old.
- A paternity test reportedly confirmed LeVar as his father in 1983.
- Eian has a paternal half-sister named Mica Burton.
- He reportedly attended Los Altos High School.
- He studied Education at Foothill College.
- He has worked in special education.
- He has reportedly worked at Monroe Middle School in San Jose.
- He has also been linked with the Santa Clara County Office of Education.
- Eian has worked as a basketball coach.
- He did not follow his father into acting or television.
- His current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
- He has no publicly confirmed children.
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