George Takei celebrates 88 today
Takei earned a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied theater arts and soon moved to New York to pursue acting, winning early roles on Broadway and in television guest spots before landing what would become his signature part: helmsman Hikaru Sulu aboard the USS Enterprise in “Star Trek.” His warm portrayal made Sulu one of the first prominent Asian‑American characters on American television
George Takei celebrates 88 today
George Takei was born George Hosato Takei on April 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California. As the son of Japanese‑American parents, he and his family were uprooted during World War II and spent four years in internment camps—first at Rohwer, Arkansas, then Tule Lake, California—an experience that deeply shaped his later activism.
After the war, Takei returned to Los Angeles, excelled in school, and earned a full scholarship to the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied theater arts. He soon moved to New York to pursue acting, winning early roles on Broadway and in television guest spots before landing what would become his signature part: helmsman Hikaru Sulu aboard the USS Enterprise in “Star Trek” (1966–1969). His warm portrayal made Sulu one of the first prominent Asian‑American characters on American television.
Following “Star Trek,” Takei built a diverse career that included stage musicals, voice‑over work (notably in the animated “Aladdin” series), and countless conventions and fan events. Equally important has been his work off‑screen: as an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights and reparations for Japanese‑American internees, and as a pioneering presence on social media, where his sharp wit and historical insights have earned him millions of followers. Over more than half a century in the public eye, George Takei has remained a beloved figure for generations of fans and a powerful voice for justice and inclusion.
Watch: George Takei Reveals the Origin Of ‘Oh My’ at The Graham Norton Show
Images and photographs can be from different ranges of sources such as Pinterest, Tumblr etc. except when/where noted. If you are the copyright holder and would like them removed or credited, please get in touch.
