George Takei is a well-known American LGBTQ+ activist, author and actor, who’s perhaps best known for his appearance in the “Star Trek” franchise.
Age, Early Life, and Education Background
George Takei hails from Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, California, and was born under the Taurus zodiac sign on 20 April 1937, which makes him 87 years old as of 2024. His mother was a native of Sacramento, who was born to Japanese parents, whereas his dad was born in Japan – Takei (who was then four years old) and his family were relocated from Boyle Height to the Arkansas-based Rohwer Relocation Center after the 7 December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, then shortly afterward to a Tulelake, Northern California-based camp. Takei’s first-hand experience and knowledge of the unfair internment of 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II, which is documented in his autobiography, sparked his lifelong interest in community affairs and politics. George was raised alongside his two siblings.
George attended Los Angeles High School in his hometown, and matriculated in 1956. He later joined the University of California, Berkeley, to study architecture.
Interests and Facts
Takei considers himself an avid Anglophile – a person who loves and admires the English people, culture, and language. He’s stated ‘I love things British. My car is British. My wardrobe, to a good extent, is British. I even love the food in London….I try to get to Britain for holidays as often as I can.’
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), named the astroid, 7307 Takei, after the veteran actor.
Takei is an avid activist of the LGBTQ+ community. He’s served as the spokesperson for the annual LGBT awareness day National Coming Out Day, organized by the Human Rights Campaign. The Californian actor has received numerous awards for his efforts, including The American Humanist Association’s LGBT Humanitarian Award (June 2012) and Gay and Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)’s Vito Russo Award (May 2014).
Film Appearances
Takei began his career in Hollywood in the ‘50s, lending English voices to several characters in the Japanese monster movie “Rodan.” In 1959, he appeared alongside Frank Sinatra in the war film “Never So Few,” James E. Caan in the 1965 action sports drama “Red Line 7000,” and the English-American actor Cary Grant in the 1961 romantic comedy “Walk, Don’t Run.” In 1979, Takei was cast as Commander Sulu in the first installment of the “Star Trek” film series entitled, “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” which starred the likes of William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy and DeForest Kelley. He reprised his starring role in four more installments of the films (1982-1989). In 1991, Takei starred in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.”
Takei is credited for voicing First Ancestor in the acclaimed animated musical adventure movie, “Mulan” (1998) and its sequel, “Mulan II” (2004). He’s voiced numerous other characters in 2009’s “Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword,” 2013’s “Free Birds”, and 2016’s “Kubo and the Two Strings.” The latter brought him a joint Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film in 2017. Most recently in 2022, Takei voiced Ohga in the animated martial arts comedy movie, “Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank.”
TV Appearances
George made his TV debut in 1959, with the portrayal of Toma Sakai in an episode of the CBS legal drama “Perry Mason.” Then in 1960 and ‘61, he portrayed multiple characters in the ABC detective series “Hawaiian Eye.” He landed one of his most important roles – as Lieutenant Sulu – in the sci-fi series “Star Trek,” which followed the escapades of the NCC-1701 (USS Enterprise) starship and its crew – George appeared in 52 episodes. In 1973 and ‘74, he voiced Lieutenant Sulu in “Star Trek: The Animated Series.” George has also voiced numerous characters in the animated sitcom, “The Simpsons” (1991-2016), and he’s lent his voice to characters in the animated series “Kim Possible” and “Futurama.”
From 2011 and 2013, George voiced Evil Grandpa and Holograms in Nickelodeon’s “Supah Ninjas.” He then played the recurring role of Supreme Commander in the ABC sci-fi sitcom “The Neighbors” (2013 and 2014), and in 2021, he voiced Shinji Yokohama in Marvel’s adult animated series “Hit-Monkey.” George’s recent voicing roles are in the animated fantasy series “Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai” in 2023, and Koh the Face Stealer in the episode “Spirited Away” of the acclaimed action-adventure fantasy series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” in 2024.
George Takei has been cast as the voice of Koh the Face Stealer in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series pic.twitter.com/bUCcUv14nC
— Avatar News (@AvatarNews_) September 27, 2022
Video Games, Stage Appearances, Books, and Other Works
Takei has voiced Hikaru Sulu in several “Star Trek” video games (1994-2004) including “Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War.” In 2010, he voiced Galactus in the fighting video game “Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet” and most recently in 2020, he was heard as Masumi Arakawa in the role-playing video game “Yakuza: Like a Dragon,” which saw him nominated for a NAVGTR Award for Performance in a Drama, Supporting.
Takei has appeared in several theatrical productions including the musical “Allegiance.”
His book, “To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei, Star Trek’s Mr. Sulu” was published in 1994. In 2019, he co-wrote the book “They Called Us Enemy.”
Takei has appeared in a few commercials including for Pizza Hut, and also served as a spokesperson for the American furniture store chain, Rooms To Go.
Politics
Takei has tried his hand at politics. In 1973 he vied for a seat on the Los Angeles lawmaking body City Council, and finished second of five contestants. The late Los Angeles mayor, Thomas Bradley, appointed Takei to join the board of directors of the former Southern California Rapid Transit District. In December 2015, he took to the TV channel, MSNBC to denounce Donald Trump after he banned Muslims from traveling to the US.
Achievements and Awards
Out of the 19 Awards he’s been nominated for, Takei has won 14. In 1986, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his praised works in television – he was also inducted into the Online Film & Television Award (OFTA) TV Hall of Fame of Actors and Actresses in 2015. Takei was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette by the Japanese government in 2004. He won a GLAAD Media Award and a San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival Award, both in 2014. In 2016, he won the Guinness World Record Award for Most Successful TV Sci-Fi Franchise alongside Gene Roddenberry. “True Terror with George Takei” saw him win The Webby Award for Video – Best Web Personality/Host in 2020.
Social Media Presence
Takei has a massive social media fanbase. He joined X (formerly Twitter) in January 2011; his account, which has the description ‘I am a parody of myself if anyone wonders if this’s really me’ is verified, and has over 3.3 million followers. Takei has over 9.5 million followers on Facebook – he’s fond of posting content related to LGBTQ culture, sci-fi, and political satire, and has been dubbed ‘the funniest guy on Facebook.’ Moreover, he’s active on Instagram (@georgehtakei) with over 1.4 million followers.
Personal Life
In 2005, Takei disclosed in the October issue of the Californian LGBT magazine “Frontiers” that he was gay, and had been in a serious relationship with the actor and producer Brad Altman for almost 20 years. Brad is especially known for 2004’s “Star Trek Phase II,” 2011’s “Whatever, the Series,” the 2014 sci-fi documentary “To Be Takei,” and the 2015 reality show “It Takeis Two.” Takei’s sexuality had been a secret among his “Star Trek” fans since the ‘70s. In May 2008, Takei announced that he was getting married to Altman – the duo became the first West Hollywood gay couple to apply for a marriage certificate. They walked the aisle at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Forum in Los Angeles on 14 September 2008.
Takei is a Buddhist – his mom practiced Shin Buddhism, and his dad Zen Buddhism.
Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance
Takei is of Asian descent and has black hair and brown eyes. He stands 5ft 8ins (1.73m) tall and weighs approximately 155lbs (70kgs).
Net Worth
Takei has accumulated a decent net worth from his career as an actor and writer. His former career in politics and sales of his books has also contributed to his wealth. Takei is worth around $14 million, as of early 2014
