LeVar Burton on 45 Years of 'Roots' and the Groundbreaking Miniseries' Enduring Legacy (Flashback)

LeVar Burton opened up to ET over the years about making 'Roots' and how the groundbreaking miniseries impacted audiences when it first aired in 1977. Across multiple interviews, the iconic actor reflected on his breakout role as Kunta Kinte, which he landed at just 18-years-old. Speaking with ET's Kevin Frazier last month, Burton explained why the legacy of Alex Haley's portrait of American slavery continues to endure 45 years later. 'It elevated our awareness of everyone, and it exposed us to an aspect of ourselves in terms of a rich culture that stems from Africa,' he said. 'It also really told the story, for the first time, of the struggle that we have had establishing ourselves and owning a sense of belonging without resistance.'