George Takei Biography

Born in Los Angeles, California, George Takei spent part of his childhood in internment camps during World War II. His aunt and cousin were killed in the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, and after the war, Takei's family left the camps without any money or housing. They spent the next five years living in Skid Row, a neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles known for its homeless population, while George attended high school.

Afterwards, George enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley’s architecture program before switching to the University of California, Los Angeles, where he obtained both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in theater. He also attended the Shakespeare Institute, Sophia University, and Desilu Workshop to pursue acting.

In the early 1950s, George provided the voiceover for characters in the English dubbing of Japanese monster films. He also appeared in minor roles on television programs such as Playhouse 90, Hawaiian Eye, and Twilight Zone. He was the first to play George in the musical Fly Blackbird! and re-appeared in the final months of the off-Broadway production.

In 1965 George was cast as Sulu in the second pilot for the original Star Trek series. Takei continued his role as Sulu when the series was picked up by NBC and appeared in the role for all three seasons. He reprised his role in all six Star Trek movies from 1979 to 1991 and for the animated program Star Trek: The Animated Series from 1973 to 1974.

After Star Trek, Takei appeared in many roles on television, including a multitude of characters on The Simpsons, Kim Possible, Futurama, and BoJack Horsemen. He also appeared as himself on 3rd Rock from the Sun, Will & Grace, and I’m a Celebrity… Get me Out of Here.

Additionally, he has appeared in such movies as Mulan (1998) and Mulan II (2004), as well as starring alongside Jerry Lewis in Which Way to the Front? (1970) and alongside Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts in Larry Crowne (2011).

Takei is a longtime political activist, even serving on the board of directors of the Southern California Rapid Transit District from 1973 to 1984. He is currently a spokesperson for "National Coming Out Day," which raises awareness and support for LGBTQ+ people coming out with their sexuality or gender identity. In 2019 he released a New York Times bestselling graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy, that recounted his time in Japanese internment camps as a child.

In October 2005, Takei revealed he had been in a committed relationship with his partner, Brad Altman, for 18 years. The two married in 2008 and became the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood.

Filmography:

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022)
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
Entourage (2015)
The Biggest Little Hero (2015)
To Be Takei (2014
Free Birds (2013)
Space Milkshake (2012)
Strange Frame (2012)
Larry Crowne (2011)
Scooby-Doo! And the Samurai Sword (2009)
You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008)
Futurama: Bender’s Game (2008)
Ninja Cheerleaders (2008)
The Great Buck Howard (2008)
Mulan II (2004)
Mulan (1998)
Oblivion (1994)
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country (1991)
Blood Oath/Prisoners of the Sun (1990)
Return from the River Kwai (1989)
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986)
Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982)
Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)
Which Way to the Front? (1970)
The Green Berets (1968)
Walk, Don't Run (1966)
Red Line 7000 (1965)
PT-109 (1963)
A Majority of One (1961)
Hell to Eternity (1960)
Never So Few (1959)
Godzilla Raids Again (1959)
Ice Palace (1958)
Rodan! The Flying Monster (1957)