Eian Burton is the son of American actor, director, and television host LeVar Burton. He is best known because of his famous father, but he has built a much more private life outside Hollywood. Instead of becoming an actor, Eian reportedly chose a career in education and has worked with children who need special support.
Eian was born in 1980 and grew up in California. His early childhood became public after LeVar learned that he was Eian’s father when the boy was about three years old. Their relationship later developed, and Eian went on to work as an educator, basketball coach, and community-based instructor.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Eian Burton Smith |
| Also known as | Eian Burton, Eian Ward Burton |
| Birth year | 1980 |
| Reported birthday | September 7, 1980 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | LeVar Burton |
| Mother | Chimara P. Smith |
| Half-sister | Mica Burton |
| Profession | Special education teacher |
| Other work | Basketball coach, activities coordinator |
| Reported education | Los Altos High School, Foothill College |
| Reported residence | California |
| Relationship status | Reported as single |
| Children | None publicly confirmed |
| Net worth | Not reliably known |
| Reported as @eianwardburton |
Eian Burton’s Early Life
Eian Burton was born in 1980 in California. Some sources give his full date of birth as September 7, 1980, while other reports only confirm the year. Because the exact date is not supported equally by all sources, September 7 should be treated as a reported birthday rather than a firmly confirmed fact.
His early childhood was unusual because LeVar Burton did not know that Eian existed during the first few years of his life. Eian was raised by his mother, Chimara P. Smith, during that period.
According to reports, LeVar learned about Eian when the child was around three years old. Paternity testing later confirmed that LeVar was his biological father.
Who Are Eian Burton’s Parents?
Eian Burton’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. Some sources describe their connection as casual, while another article describes it as a one-night encounter.
Chimara raised Eian during his first years. She has remained mostly outside the public eye, and there is little reliable information available about her personal life or career.
LeVar became involved in Eian’s life after learning that he was his father. Reports from the time say he sought legal custody and visitation rights so that he could have an active role in raising his son.
Eian Burton’s Relationship With LeVar Burton
LeVar Burton is an actor, director, television host, and educator. He became widely known for playing Kunta Kinte in the 1977 television miniseries Roots. He later played Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and hosted the educational television program Reading Rainbow for many years.
When LeVar learned about Eian, reports say he asked the Los Angeles Superior Court for joint legal custody and visitation rights. He was also reported to have paid child support.
LeVar explained at the time that he had grown up in a single-parent home and wanted his son to have both parents involved in his life.
Later reports describe Eian and LeVar as having a good relationship. LeVar has also spoken publicly about education being important in his family and has mentioned his son as someone who works in that field.
The Custody Dispute During Eian Burton’s Childhood
Eian’s early relationship with his father became part of a public custody dispute in the 1980s.
In 1984, Chimara P. Smith accused LeVar Burton of not returning Eian after a planned trip. Reports said Eian was supposed to spend about two weeks with his father before returning to his mother.
Chimara reportedly believed LeVar had taken Eian to Africa. However, LeVar’s agent, Dolores Robinson, gave a different account and said that Eian was safe with his grandmother in Sacramento while LeVar had traveled to Africa for work.
Because the two sides gave different accounts, this incident should be described as a custody dispute and an allegation rather than as a proven kidnapping.
Eian Burton’s Education
Eian reportedly attended Los Altos High School in California.
Several sources also state that he studied Education at Foothill College. These details appear to come mainly from information shared on his social media profiles rather than official school records.
There is no widely available public information about his exact degree, graduation year, or other academic qualifications.
Eian Burton’s Career in Special Education
Eian Burton did not follow LeVar Burton into acting or television. He instead chose a career in education.
He has been described as a special education teacher who works with students who need additional support. Special education teachers often work with children who have learning, cognitive, emotional, or physical needs.
Some reports say Eian has helped develop individual education plans for students and supported their academic and personal development.
He has also been described as an activities coordinator and a community-based instructor.
One report linked him with the Santa Clara County Office of Education as a community-based instructor. Another reported that he worked in special education at Monroe Middle School in San Jose. These jobs were reportedly listed on his Facebook profile, so it is not clear whether he still holds the same positions today.
Eian Burton Has Also Worked as a Basketball Coach
Eian has also been connected with youth basketball.
Several reports describe him as a basketball coach who works with children in addition to his teaching duties.
Coaching gives him another way to work with young people outside the classroom. However, there is little public information about specific teams, competitions, or coaching achievements connected to him.
Who Is Eian Burton’s Sister?

Eian Burton has a younger paternal half-sister named Mica Burton.
Mica is the daughter of LeVar Burton and his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton. LeVar and Stephanie married in 1992.
Mica was born in 1994 and chose a more public career than her older brother. She has worked as an actress, host, cosplayer, and entertainment personality, especially in gaming and online media.
Eian and Mica share the same father but have different mothers.
Is Eian Burton Married?
There is no reliable public information showing that Eian Burton is married.
His Facebook profile was previously reported as listing him as single, but relationship information from social media can change.
No publicly confirmed wife, girlfriend, marriage, or divorce has been reported.
Does Eian Burton Have Children?
Eian Burton does not have any publicly confirmed children.
He keeps his personal life private, so details about his relationships and family outside his parents and sister are limited.
Eian Burton’s Net Worth
Eian Burton’s personal net worth is not reliably known.
Some websites publish estimated figures for celebrity relatives, but there is no strong evidence supporting a specific amount for Eian.
His career has mainly been in education rather than entertainment or business, and he does not appear to share details about his income or finances publicly.
Eian Burton’s Social Media
Eian has used social media, but he maintains a much smaller public presence than his father and sister.
His reported Instagram username is @eianwardburton. He has also been associated with a Facebook profile under the name Eian Ward Burton.
Older reports listed information about his work, location, and relationship status from these accounts. Those details should not automatically be treated as current because social media profiles can change over time.
Where Does Eian Burton Live?
Briefly reported that Eian lived in Campbell, California, based on information from his social media profile.
Other reports simply place him in California and connect his professional work with the San Jose and Santa Clara County areas.
His exact current residence has not been publicly confirmed.
Interesting Facts
- Eian Burton’s full name is commonly reported as Eian Burton Smith.
- He was born in 1980.
- His father is actor and television host LeVar Burton.
- His mother is Chimara P. Smith.
- LeVar reportedly learned that Eian was his son when Eian was about three years old.
- Eian has a younger half-sister named Mica Burton.
- He chose education rather than acting as his main career.
- He has worked in special education.
- He has also been described as a basketball coach and activities coordinator.
- He reportedly studied Education at Foothill College.
- His exact personal net worth is not publicly known.
- He has no publicly confirmed wife or children.
- He has lived a much more private life than his famous father and half-sister.

