LeVar Burton’s wife is Stephanie Cozart Burton, an accomplished Hollywood makeup artist. The couple met in 1988 while working on the television movie Roots: The Gift and married on October 3, 1992. They have a daughter, actress and television personality Mica Burton, born in 1994. LeVar also has a son, Eian Burton, from a previous relationship. In 2026, the couple continue to celebrate a marriage spanning more than three decades.
Actor, television host, director, and author LeVar Burton has spent decades entertaining audiences through some of television’s most recognizable productions. From playing Kunta Kinte in the groundbreaking miniseries Roots to portraying Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and hosting the educational children’s program Reading Rainbow, Burton has built a career that spans generations.
But beyond his professional achievements, many fans are interested in his personal life, especially his long-lasting marriage.
So, who is LeVar Burton’s wife?
LeVar Burton is married to Stephanie Cozart Burton, a professional makeup artist who has worked on several television shows and films. The couple met in 1988 while working on the television production Roots: The Gift. After dating for approximately four years, they married on October 3, 1992.
Their relationship has continued for more than three decades, making it an important part of Burton’s personal story.
Stephanie is also a mother, a successful entertainment professional, and someone who has largely maintained a life outside the spotlight despite being married to a well-known actor.
The couple share a daughter, Mica Burton, who has developed her own career in acting, hosting, and entertainment. LeVar also has a son, Eian Burton, from an earlier relationship.
In a 2026 interview with AARP, Burton discussed the importance of love, emotional openness, and the lessons he has learned during his marriage to Stephanie. His reflections provide a personal perspective on a relationship that has lasted through changing careers, family responsibilities, and different stages of life.
1. Who Is Stephanie Cozart Burton?
Stephanie Cozart Burton is an American professional makeup artist best known for her work in television and film, as well as her marriage to actor LeVar Burton.
She has built a career behind the scenes in the entertainment industry, contributing to productions that include television comedy, drama, and daytime programming.
Unlike her husband, who regularly appears in front of cameras, Stephanie has primarily worked behind the scenes, helping actors and television personalities prepare for their appearances.
Her professional work has included productions such as:
- In Living Color
- White Men Can’t Jump
- The Talk
- The Facts of Life
- Ned and Stacey
She also received recognition for her makeup work on The Talk, including a Daytime Emmy Award in 2013.
Stephanie’s career demonstrates that she has established her own professional identity rather than being known exclusively as a celebrity spouse.
Stephanie Cozart Burton: Quick Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Stephanie Cozart Burton |
| Maiden name | Stephanie Cozart |
| Profession | Makeup artist |
| Husband | LeVar Burton |
| Married | October 3, 1992 |
| Daughter | Mica Burton |
| Daughter’s birth year | 1994 |
| Industry | Film and television |
Stephanie generally maintains a private personal life. As a result, some details about her everyday activities, finances, and personal interests are not widely documented in reliable public sources.
2. How Did LeVar Burton Meet His Wife?
The story of how LeVar Burton met his wife began in the entertainment industry.
The couple first met in 1988 on the set of the television movie Roots: The Gift.
At the time, Burton was already recognized for his acting career, particularly his portrayal of Kunta Kinte in the original Roots miniseries. Stephanie was working in the makeup department.
Their professional paths crossed while they were working on the same production.
What began as a meeting between two entertainment professionals eventually developed into a romantic relationship.
Unlike relationships that begin after celebrities achieve widespread fame, Stephanie and LeVar connected while both were working in the entertainment business.
According to an interview-based profile published by People in November 2023, the couple dated for approximately four years before getting married.
Their relationship also became an example of how two people working in different areas of the same industry can build a lasting partnership.
What Did LeVar Burton Say About His Wife?
Burton has spoken warmly about Stephanie in interviews.
In a 2013 conversation with Serial Optimist, he praised her intelligence, appearance, energy, and sense of humor.
He has also explained that his understanding of love changed through their relationship.
In an interview published by AARP in 2026, Burton reflected on his experiences with love and marriage.
He explained that his longest relationship before meeting Stephanie had lasted only a year and that he had to learn to become emotionally open and understand the demands as well as the rewards of a committed relationship.
His comments offer an unusually personal perspective on a marriage that has remained strong through decades of public and private changes.
3. When Did LeVar Burton Marry Stephanie Cozart?
LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart married on October 3, 1992.
Their wedding followed approximately four years of dating after they met on the set of Roots: The Gift.
Burton has occasionally celebrated their wedding anniversary publicly.
In October 2019, he shared a photograph commemorating their wedding anniversary and referred to their marriage as jumping the broom.
The phrase refers to a wedding tradition with historical and cultural significance in African American communities.
Their anniversary celebrations have offered occasional glimpses into their relationship, although they generally avoid making their private life a constant subject of public attention.
By November 2026, LeVar and Stephanie have been married for approximately 34 years.
Their marriage has continued through several significant milestones:
- LeVar’s success with Reading Rainbow.
- His long-running role in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
- The development of his directing and producing career.
- The birth and upbringing of their daughter.
- Their daughter’s entry into the entertainment industry.
- LeVar’s continued work as an author, television host, and literacy advocate.
The length of their relationship is particularly notable in an industry where demanding schedules and frequent professional changes can make maintaining family life challenging.
4. Does LeVar Burton Have Children?
Yes. LeVar Burton is the father of two children: Eian Burton and Mica Burton.
However, they have different mothers.
LeVar shares his daughter, Mica, with his wife Stephanie Cozart Burton. His son, Eian, was born in 1980 from an earlier relationship with Chimara P. Smith.
This distinction is important because some online biographies incorrectly suggest that Stephanie and LeVar have two children together.
They share one daughter.
Who Is Mica Burton?
Mica Burton, whose full name is Michaela Jean Burton, is the daughter of LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton.
She was born on July 8, 1994.
Like her father, Mica developed an interest in entertainment and eventually pursued a career in the industry.
She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Theater and Dance in 2016 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting.
Her professional activities have included acting, presenting, hosting, and gaming-related entertainment.
Some of her notable work includes:
- Appearing in Star Trek: Picard.
- Hosting gaming and entertainment programs.
- Participating in online entertainment and gaming events.
- Working in acting and digital media.
One particularly memorable professional moment came in 2023 when Mica appeared alongside her father in Star Trek: Picard.
The experience brought together two generations of the Burton family in a franchise that had been a major part of LeVar’s career.
In an interview with People in April 2023, both discussed the experience of working together.
For LeVar, it was meaningful to bring his daughter onto a production connected to his long-running television career.
Who Is Eian Burton?
Eian Burton is LeVar’s son from his previous relationship with Chimara P. Smith.
He was born in 1980.
Eian’s early family circumstances were different from those of Mica. Public biographical accounts have reported that LeVar learned about his son several years after his birth.
LeVar subsequently sought to become involved in his son’s life.
Unlike Mica, Eian generally maintains a much more private lifestyle and does not have the same public entertainment profile.
There is limited reliable public information about his current professional activities, so details about his personal life should not be assumed.
5. What Does Stephanie Cozart Burton Do for a Living?
Stephanie Cozart Burton is an experienced makeup artist who has worked in the film and television industry.
Her professional background includes working with actors, television personalities, and production teams.
Makeup artists play an important role in entertainment production. Their responsibilities can include preparing performers for filming, maintaining visual continuity between scenes, and ensuring that makeup works appropriately under studio lighting and high-definition cameras.
Stephanie’s career includes work on several recognizable productions.
Her Work on In Living Color
In Living Color was an influential American sketch comedy television series that aired during the 1990s.
Stephanie worked in the show’s makeup department.
The production featured a large ensemble cast and became known for its comedy sketches, characters, and cultural influence.
Working on a program of this nature requires the makeup department to support a variety of characters, appearances, and performance styles.
Her Work on White Men Can’t Jump
Stephanie also has a makeup department credit on the 1992 film White Men Can’t Jump.
The basketball comedy starred Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes.
Her work on the film represents another example of her experience in major entertainment productions.
Her Work on The Talk
One of Stephanie’s notable television credits is CBS’s daytime talk show The Talk.
She worked in the makeup department and received a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding makeup in 2013.
This recognition is an important part of her professional biography.
It also highlights that Stephanie has earned industry recognition for her own work, independently of her husband’s acting achievements.
6. Did Stephanie Cozart Burton Work as a Playboy Bunny?
Stephanie’s earlier professional history has also attracted public interest because of reports that she worked as a Playboy Bunny before becoming established as a makeup artist.
A 2026 profile by HELLO! reported that she worked at Playboy clubs in Los Angeles and Century City between 1981 and 1989.
This is a detail about her earlier working life, rather than her current professional identity.
Her best-documented entertainment career is her work as a makeup artist on television and film productions.
It is worth keeping these two aspects of her professional history separate rather than defining her primarily by one former job.
7. What Has LeVar Burton Said About His Marriage?
One reason the search for LeVar Burton’s wife remains popular is that the actor occasionally shares meaningful reflections about his relationship.
In particular, his 2026 interview with AARP offered insight into how his understanding of marriage has developed.
Burton discussed how he had to learn to become more emotionally open and recognize that a successful relationship requires effort from both partners.
He explained that Stephanie helped him understand what love meant in practical terms.
His comments were not presented as a simple formula for a successful marriage. Instead, they reflected his personal experience of learning to trust, communicate, and lower emotional barriers.
Why Communication Matters in Their Relationship
Long-term relationships involve more than affection.
They require communication, mutual understanding, and the ability to adapt as circumstances change.
For LeVar and Stephanie, those changes have included:
- Building careers in the entertainment industry.
- Managing professional commitments and filming schedules.
- Raising their daughter.
- Supporting their children’s individual ambitions.
- Navigating different stages of family life.
Burton’s comments about love suggest that he views marriage as an ongoing process rather than something that automatically becomes easier with time.
This perspective gives readers a more personal understanding of the couple than simply knowing their wedding date.
8. LeVar Burton’s Career and Stephanie’s Life Behind the Scenes
LeVar Burton’s career has included several major milestones, and his success has helped make his family a subject of public interest.
He first gained major recognition in 1977 for portraying Kunta Kinte in the television miniseries Roots.
The performance established him as a significant television actor and introduced him to audiences around the world.
He later became widely recognized for two other major roles.
Reading Rainbow
Burton hosted the PBS children’s educational program Reading Rainbow from 1983 to 2006.
The show encouraged children to develop reading habits and explore literature through storytelling.
It became one of the most influential educational programs in American children’s television.
During its run, the program received numerous awards, including Daytime Emmy recognition.
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Burton also became famous for playing Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation.
The character appeared throughout the series, which originally ran from 1987 to 1994.
The role established a lasting connection between Burton and the science-fiction community.
He later returned to the franchise through appearances in Star Trek: Picard.
Other Professional Work
Beyond acting, Burton has worked as a director, producer, author, and television host.
His career includes projects focused on storytelling, education, literacy, and entertainment.
More recently, he has hosted the CW game show Trivial Pursuit.
His memoir, Take My Word for It, also explores his personal history, career, and experiences.
A November 2026 interview with People discussed how the memoir reflects on the major influences that shaped his life.
Stephanie has pursued her own professional career alongside these developments.
Although she does not regularly appear in front of the camera with her husband, her work in the entertainment industry gives her an independent connection to the same professional world.
9. What Did LeVar Burton and Stephanie Say About Their Relationship in 2026?
One of the most interesting recent developments in understanding their relationship came through a 2026 interview published by AARP.
In the interview, LeVar discussed his marriage, his experiences with love, and the personal changes that helped him build a lasting relationship.
He explained that his relationship with Stephanie taught him to become more emotionally available.
He also described marriage as something that requires courage, vulnerability, and a willingness to learn from another person.
The interview is particularly relevant because Burton did not simply discuss his wife as part of his celebrity biography. He reflected on how their relationship changed his understanding of himself.
Another interesting source is the August 2026 episode of Plus One with Lisa and Morgan, featuring Stephanie Cozart Burton and LeVar Burton.
Stephanie discussed her professional experiences, her relationship with LeVar, her career as a makeup artist, and the importance of advocating for fair compensation in Hollywood.
The episode also explored their long marriage and the experiences that helped them build a lasting partnership.
Together, these interviews provide a more complete picture of the couple’s relationship from both perspectives.
10. Why LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton’s Marriage Attracts Attention
There are several reasons why people continue searching for information about LeVar Burton’s wife.
A relationship that began before their wedding: The couple met in 1988 and dated for approximately four years before marrying.
Two successful entertainment careers: LeVar became a recognizable actor and television host, while Stephanie developed an established career as a makeup artist.
More than three decades of marriage: Their relationship has continued since October 1992.
Their daughter’s entertainment career: Mica has followed her own path into acting, hosting, and gaming-related entertainment.
Their approach to privacy: Despite their public careers, the couple generally avoids sharing every detail of their personal lives.
Their story also challenges the idea that a celebrity’s spouse is necessarily someone without an independent professional identity.
Stephanie has her own career achievements, industry experience, and professional recognition.
11. What Happens Next for LeVar Burton and His Wife?
As of November 11, 2026, there is no publicly confirmed announcement of a major change in LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton’s marriage.
LeVar continues to work across television, film, writing, and entertainment projects.
His memoir, Take My Word for It, has also brought renewed attention to his personal experiences and career.
Stephanie continues to be recognized for her professional work in the entertainment industry and her long-standing relationship with Burton.
Their daughter Mica is also developing her own career in entertainment.
There are no confirmed public announcements suggesting that the couple plans to make major changes to their private family arrangements.
For now, their story remains one of a long-term relationship built around shared experiences, individual careers, and family life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who is LeVar Burton’s wife?
LeVar Burton’s wife is Stephanie Cozart Burton. She is an American makeup artist who has worked on several television shows and films, including In Living Color, White Men Can’t Jump, and The Talk.
2. When did LeVar Burton marry Stephanie Cozart?
LeVar Burton married Stephanie Cozart on October 3, 1992. They met in 1988 while working on the television production Roots: The Gift and dated for approximately four years before getting married.
3. What does Stephanie Cozart Burton do for a living?
Stephanie Cozart Burton is a professional makeup artist. She has worked in the makeup departments of several television programs and films. She also received a Daytime Emmy Award for her work on The Talk in 2013.
4. How did LeVar Burton meet his wife?
LeVar Burton met Stephanie in 1988 on the set of Roots: The Gift. He was working as an actor, while Stephanie was part of the makeup department. Their professional relationship eventually developed into a romantic partnership.
5. Does LeVar Burton have children with Stephanie?
Yes. LeVar and Stephanie have one daughter together, Mica Burton, born on July 8, 1994. LeVar also has a son named Eian Burton from a previous relationship.
6. Who is Mica Burton?
Mica Burton is the daughter of LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart Burton. She is an actress, television host, and entertainment personality. She graduated from the University of Michigan School of Theater and Dance in 2016 and appeared alongside her father in Star Trek: Picard in 2023.
7. How old is Stephanie Cozart Burton?
Stephanie Cozart Burton’s birth date is listed as November 10, 1953, in IMDb’s biographical information. Based on that listing, she turned 73 in November 2026. This birth date should be treated as a published biographical listing rather than an independently confirmed personal statement.
8. How long have LeVar Burton and Stephanie been married?
LeVar and Stephanie married on October 3, 1992. As of November 11, 2026, they have been married for approximately 34 years.
9. Did Stephanie Cozart Burton win an Emmy?
Yes. Stephanie received a Daytime Emmy Award in 2013 for outstanding makeup work associated with The Talk.
10. Does LeVar Burton have a son?
Yes. LeVar Burton has a son named Eian Burton from his earlier relationship with Chimara P. Smith. He also has a daughter, Mica, with his wife Stephanie.
11. Where did LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart meet?
They met on the set of Roots: The Gift in 1988. Their meeting took place while both were working in the television entertainment industry.
12. Are LeVar Burton and Stephanie Cozart still married in 2026?
Yes. Publicly available information as of November 11, 2026, identifies Stephanie Cozart Burton as LeVar’s wife. There has been no verified announcement of a separation or divorce.
