Grand Marshal LeVar Burton kicked off the 133rd Rose Parade with cheers from the crowd on Saturday, Jan. 1, when he led this year’s floats, horses and bands during the 5.5 mile procession down Colorado Blvd.
The famed actor, director and literacy advocate hurriedly hopped onto the Grand Marshal float and made up time by grabbing a microphone to greet parade-goers a quick “Happy New Year” while he rode in the 1923 Roll’s Royce Silver Ghost with loved ones.
As Burton’s car of six made its way down Colorado Boulevard, social media users and spectators alike were beaming with excitement to see the “Reading Rainbow” host in person.
Before introducing this year’s opening act, he gave kudos to those on the front lines of the pandemic.
“The theme of this year’s parade — “Dream. Believe. Achieve.” — is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our first responders and the health care workers and to every single one of you watching today,” Burton said. “We thank you for what it is you do.”
Though known for portraying Kunta Kinte on the landmark TV series “Roots” and Geordi La Forge on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” it was Burton’s advocacy for education — particularly his efforts to support literacy — that caught Rose Parade President Bob Miller’s eye.
When the pick was announced back in October, Miller said Burton truly embodies the 2022 theme.
“You’ll see why our grand marshal is the perfect choice,” Miller said in an earlier interview, echoing this year’s emphasis on education.
Burton, a well-known history buff, said he’s honored to have his portrait hanging with other grand marshals such as John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart and Gregory Peck in the hall of the Tournament House on Orange Grove Avenue.
“Not just in terms of a personal achievement, but I think about what it means to my family,” Burton said of his selection, adding the most exciting aspect of his selection is welcoming a number of educators onto his float.
“If you’re a Burton, education is pretty much our family business,” he said, “and to represent for education — it’s a big deal.”
This is one reason why, Miller said, “our grand marshal is the perfect choice.”
When Burton took the podium in front of the Tournament House prior to this year’s parade, his first order of business as Marshal was to introduce his wife, Stephanie Cozart Burton, who worked as a Royal Court makeup artist in 1989.
“It’s really a trip back down memory lane because when I was here last in an official capacity LeVar and I were pretty much newly dating,” Cozart Burton said in October. That was many, many moons ago though — 29 years on Oct. 3 to be exact.
“I didn’t even know what the process was, how they chose them or how it happened,” Cozart said. “But the fact that he’s going to be on that historic wall upstairs in the Grand Marshals room now — it’s kind of cool.”
It’s been a few months since Cozart Burton made the comments on the Tournament House lawn but she returned in the wee hours of New Year’s Day to prepare or the big procession.
Ryan Nakamura, an Torrance-based Eagle Scout, said he’s a jeopardy super fan so he’s honored to hold the banner for the Grand Marshal in the #RoseParade2022 pic.twitter.com/f8HN520Dae
— Brennon Dixson (@TheBrennonD) January 1, 2022
Later, as Burton made his way through Pasadena, sang the “Reading Rainbow” song and shouted out to the star.
Burton previously noted Saturday was only possible because he has never stopped dreaming, believing or achieving.
“That is the process,” he said. “There is an absolute link between that which we dream and that which we achieve, and the middle connector is imagination.”
The 2022 Grand Marshal credited his mother for shaping him into the man he is today.
“My education was tied to a dream — that dream of my mother Erma Jean — to make sure that her children could compete on a level playing field in this America and reach their most full potential,” Burton said from the podium Tuesday. “I am living, breathing proof that dreams do indeed come true.”
As a kid from Sacramento who was raised on movies and TV series about civil rights leaders, Burton has grown into a much-honored actor himself with three Primetime Emmy Awards nominations and 12 Daytime Emmy wins. He has also taken home a Peabody Award, snagged a Grammy in the spoken word category for “The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jr.” in 1999 and served as the face and voice of PBS’ beloved ”Reading Rainbow” series en route to becoming a award-winning podcast host, producer and education booster.
“It’s a great privilege. I grew up watching the Rose Parade with my family and it’s a big honor to be standing here today,” Torrance Eagle Scout Ryan Nakamura said just prior to the parade. “I didn’t really think I’d get it,” but the Jeopardy-super fan found himself holding the Grand Marshal banner in the 133rd Rose Parade alongside Hunter Davis.
Davis, an African-American Pasadena resident, believes he’s the only Black banner-bearer this year “So to be holding the Grand Marshal banner for an African-American Marshal,” Hunter added, “it’s quite an honor.”
Throughout the 5-mile route, Burton could be heard yelling: “Go Utes! Happy New Year!”
Burton was said he was also excited to lead the opening coin toss at the 108th Rose Bowl.
“I come from a family for whom the Tournament of Roses parade and the Rose Bowl game to follow, has been a part of our family for years and years.”
The tradition has continued with his daughter, Burton added. “And we are over the moon and beyond thrilled to be a part of this amazing event.”