George Takei

In this Japanese name, the surname is Takei.
George Takei
Takei at the 2024 GalaxyCon Oklahoma City
Born
Hosato Takei

(1937-04-20) April 20, 1937 (age 87)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles (BA, MA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • author
  • activist
Years active1955–present
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Brad Altman
​
(m. 2008)​
Websitewww.georgetakei.com

George Takei (/təˈkeɪ/, tə-KAY; born Hosato Takei (武井 穂郷, Takei Hosato); April 20, 1937) is an American actor, author and activist known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek franchise.[1][2]

Takei was born to Japanese American parents, with whom he lived in Tule Lake Segregation Center during World War II. He began pursuing acting in college, which led in 1965 to the role of Sulu, to which he returned periodically into the 1990s. Upon coming out as gay in 2005, he became a prominent proponent of LGBT rights and active in state and local politics. He has been a vocal advocate of the rights of immigrants, in part through his work on the 2012 Broadway show Allegiance, about the internment experience.[3][4]

Takei spoke both English and Japanese growing up and remains fluent in both languages.[5][6] He has won several awards and accolades for his work on human rights and Japan–United States relations, including his work with the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California.

  1. ^ Zoglin, Richard (November 28, 1994). "Star Trek: Trekking Onward". Time. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  2. ^ Vankin, Deborah (April 7, 2015). "Actor-activist George Takei takes command in cyberspace and beyond". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  3. ^ "George Takei on today's fear of immigrants - CNN Video". CNN. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  4. ^ Granberry, Michael (February 2, 2017). "At SMU talk, George Takei takes 'Star Trek'-like aim at Trump's immigration policies". Archived from the original on June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  5. ^ "Lgbtプライド月間に寄せて ジョージ • タケイさんからのメッセージ (2016年)". May 27, 2014 – via YouTube.
  6. ^ "George Takei on Starring in Heroes". February 5, 2007.