George Takei Biography

Hosato Takei, later called George by his father, was born on April 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California. His mother was born in America to Japanese immigrants. His father was born in Japan and emigrated to study in California. When Takei was preschool age, he and his family were sent to live in a Japanese internment camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor (1941). His family lost their home, business, and freedom due to racist suspicions of Japanese Americans. His family was imprisoned until he was almost 9.

Takei began his acting career in the 1950s, at a time when Asian American actors were often only offered small parts. Often, Asian characters were played by white actors painted with Asian features. However, in 1965, Takei was given the role of Sulu on Star Trek (1966–1969). While most major Asian characters were given unsavory characteristics, Lieutenant Sulu was smart and amiable. Takei’s role was a major step forward for Asian Americans in the media. He went on to guest star and work on a variety of television shows and has also performed voice-overs for films and video games. He also developed and starred in the musical Allegiance (2012), which explores Japanese internment. Beyond entertainment, Takei has become an advocate of social justice, helping to educate and ensure Americans don’t forget the horrors of Japanese internment. He has also become an advocate for LGBTQ rights.