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 Lieutenant
Commander Geordi LaForge
Geodi LaForge was originally posted on the bridge of the USS
Enterprise as Helmsmen . After many displays of his knowledge in
Engineering , Captain Picard gave him the position of Chief of
Engineering . Along with a promotion to Lieutenant Commander .
Geordi's most prominent physical feature is his VISOR (Visual
Instrument and Sensory Organ Replacement) . Being Blind from birth ,
the visor gives him the ability to see . It uses direct neural
implants to relay visual information to Geordi's brain . The
technology of the VISOR lets Geordi not only see , but see things
normal human eyes can't see . Such as the electromagnetic spectrum ,
from infrared to ultraviolet .
Geordi is Data's closest "friend" , consistently helping the
android in his quest to be more human . He is known for his strong
sense of humour , but over the years has emerged as a true leader of
leaders , making him stand out among the crew .
 LeVar
Burton
February 16, 1957
In "Star Trek: The Next Generation," LeVar Burton plays the blind
Lieutenant Geordi La Forge. "He's been blind since birth, but 'sees'
through the use of the VISOR (Visual Input Sensory Optical
Reflector) he wears over his eyes. In fact, I am told that m~
character is named after a disabled 'Star Trek' fan who passed
away," explains LeVar.
LeVar presently serves as host and series producer of "Reading
Rainbow," the highly-acclaimed Emmy Award-winning series on PBS,
which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. This year, the
series earned yet another Emmy Award in the category of "Outstanding
Children's Series," as well as an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding
Performance in a Youth or Children's Series/Special.
During the sixth season of "Star Trek: The Next Generation," LeVar
made his directorial debut with the episode entitled "Second
Chances." He continued his directing career with the seventh season
episode entitled "The Pegasus." As the president of Eagle Nation
Films, LeVar is currently developing projects for film and
television, some of which he will direct as well as produce. In
November of 1996, Levar will once again become Geordi LaForge in the
motion picture Star Trek 8: First Contact .
After applying for and winning a scholarship to USC, LeVar began
working toward a degree in drama and fine arts. During his sophomore
year he auditioned for his Emmy-winning role as Kunta Kinte in the
award-winning miniseries, "Roots."
Following "Roots," LeVar starred in a variety of television movies
including the Emmy-nominated "Dummy," "One in a Million: The Ron
LeFlore Story," "Grambling's White Tiger," "The Guyana Tragedy: The
Story of Jim Jones," "Battered," "Billy: Portrait of a Street Kid,"
"A Roots Christmas: Kunta Kinte's Gift" and the miniseries "Libery."
Among his feature film credits are "Looking for Mr. Goodbar," "The
Hunter" with Steve McQueen and "The Super naturals."
LeVar recently starred in the ABC made-for-television movie
"Firestorm: 72 Hours in Oakland" and has just finished production on
the upcoming Showtime movie "Parallel Lives." Produced and directed
by Linda Yellen, "Parallel Lives" is a follow-up project to last
year's highly-acclaimed "Chantilly Lace." The movie will premiered
last spring at the Sundance Film Festival before being entered in
jury competition at the Cannes Film Festival.
Burton: on his favourite episode... ``Choosing my favourite or most
memorable episode is a difficult assignment. For obvious reasons,
Second Chances and The Pegasus, the episodes I have directed, occupy
a special place in my heart. Most memorable...crawling around the
mud pit trying to find the VISOR in the episode called "The Enemy"
comes to mind. All in all though, I would have to say some of the
Holodeck shows are among my most favourite episodes. In particular,
Elementary Dear Data, Qpid and Hollow Pursuits. After wearing our
"space suits" day in and day out and being so serious so much of the
time, it was always fun to put on those great costumes and play!'' |
