View source for George Takei

{{Short description|American actor, author and activist (born 1937)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2025}}
{{Family name hatnote|''[[Takei]]''|lang=Japanese}}
{{Infobox person
| name         = George Takei
| image        = George Takei by Gage Skidmore 4.jpg
| caption      = Takei in 2025
| birth_name   = Hosato Takei
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1937|4|20}}
| birth_place  = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| education    = {{ubl
  | [[University of California, Berkeley]]
  | [[University of California, Los Angeles]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]], [[Master of Arts|MA]])
  }}
| occupation   = {{hlist|Actor|author|activist}}
| years_active = 1955–present
| party        = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| spouse       = {{marriage|Brad Altman|2008}}
| website      = {{Official URL}}
}}
'''George Takei''' ({{IPAc-en|t|ə|ˈ|k|eɪ}} {{respell|tə|KAY}}; born {{nihongo foot|group=n|'''Hosato Takei''',|武井 穂郷|Takei Hosato|lead=yes}} April{{nbsp}}20, 1937) is an American actor, author and activist known for his role as [[Hikaru Sulu]], [[helmsman]] of the [[USS Enterprise (NCC-1701)|USS ''Enterprise'']] in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' franchise.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981909,00.html|title=Star Trek: Trekking Onward|last=Zoglin|first=Richard|date=November 28, 1994|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=June 11, 2015|archive-date=November 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106043012/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,981909,00.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-george-takei-star-trek-other-space-lgbt-20150407-story.html#page=1|title=Actor-activist George Takei takes command in cyberspace and beyond|last=Vankin|first=Deborah|date=April 7, 2015|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=June 11, 2015}}</ref>

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,<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=January 12, 2023 |title=George Takei Reveals He Came Out as Gay Because Arnold Schwarzenegger Rejected Gay Marriage Bill: 'I Was So Angry' at Him |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/george-takei-came-out-gay-arnold-schwarzenegger-rejected-gay-marriage-bill-1235487497/ |access-date=April 6, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> he became a prominent proponent of [[LGBT movements|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 theatre|Broadway]] show ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]'', about the internment experience.<ref>{{cite news|title=George Takei on today's fear of immigrants - CNN Video|publisher=CNN|url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2015/11/19/exp-takei-on-racism.cnn/video/playlists/george-takei/|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=February 2, 2017|title=At SMU talk, George Takei takes 'Star Trek'-like aim at Trump's immigration policies|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/performing-arts/2017/02/02/actor-activist-george-takei-takes-star-trek-like-aim-president-trumps-immigration-polices|access-date=September 20, 2018|url-access=registration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603125355/https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/performing-arts/2017/02/03/at-smu-talk-george-takei-takes-star-trek-like-aim-at-trump-s-immigration-policies/|archive-date=June 3, 2021|last=Granberry|first=Michael}}</ref>

Takei spoke both English and Japanese growing up and remains fluent in both languages.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxouIJKVpaw | title=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) | date=May 27, 2014 | via=YouTube }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.comingsoon.net/tv/features/18743-george-takei-on-starring-in-heroes | title=George Takei on Starring in Heroes | date=February 5, 2007 }}</ref> 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.

==Early life==
{{external media| float = left| video1 = [https://www.c-span.org/video/?535566-1/qa-george-takei ''Q&A'' interview with Takei on ''My Lost Freedom'', Takei's children's book about his experiences in American internment camps, June 10, 2024], [[C-SPAN]]}}
[[File:George Takei - Los Angeles High School - 1956.jpg|thumb|150px|right|Takei in 1956]]
Takei was born Hosato Takei<ref name="birth">{{cite web|url=http://www.californiabirthindex.org/birth/hosato_takei_born_1937_1972582|title=The Birth of Hosato Takei|publisher=[[California Birth Index]]|access-date=January 1, 2014}}</ref> on April 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California,<ref name="tvg">{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/george-takei/151753/|title= George Takei|work=[[TV Guide]]|access-date= July 13, 2016}}</ref> to [[Japanese American]] parents Fumiko Emily Nakamura<ref name="birth"/> (born in [[Sacramento, California]]) and Takekuma Norman Takei (born in [[Yamanashi Prefecture]]),<ref>{{cite AV media|people=Chen, Melody (interviewer)|year=2004|title=George Takei - Archive Interview Part 1 of 6|medium=Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrgj_a3o5r0#t=590|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326202035/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrgj_a3o5r0| archive-date=March 26, 2010|access-date=October 21, 2013|time=1:25|work=[[Archive of American Television]]}}</ref> who worked in real estate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmreference.com/film/35/George-Takei.html|title=George Takei Biography (1937-)|work=Filmreference|access-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref> His father named him George after King [[George VI of the United Kingdom]], whose coronation [[Coronation of George VI and Elizabeth|took place in 1937]], shortly after Takei's birth.<ref>Taken from Takei's comments on the ''Howard Stern Show'', January 9, 2006.</ref><ref>''To the stars: the autobiography of Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu'' by George Takei.</ref> In 1942, following the signing of [[Executive Order 9066]], the Takei family was forced to live in the converted horse stables of [[Santa Anita Park]] before being sent to the [[Rohwer War Relocation Center]] for [[Internment of Japanese Americans|internment]] in [[Rohwer, Arkansas]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Hosato G. Takei Internment Record|url=https://japanese-american-internees.mooseroots.com/l/41118/Hosato-G-Takei|publisher=MooseRoots|access-date=January 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622122717/http://japanese-american-internees.mooseroots.com/l/41118/Hosato-G-Takei|archive-date=June 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> The internment camp was in swamplands and surrounded by barbed wire fences. The family was later transferred to the [[Tule Lake War Relocation Center]] in California for internment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yogXJl9H9z0|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/yogXJl9H9z0|archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=2004 interview on life in internment camps (for Archive of American Television)|via=YouTube|date=November 29, 2011|access-date=December 4, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Takei had several relatives living in Japan during [[World War II]]. Among them, he had an aunt and infant cousin who lived in [[Hiroshima]] and who were both killed during the [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|atomic bombing that destroyed the city]]. In Takei's own words, "My aunt and baby cousin [were] found burnt in a ditch in Hiroshima."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-nuclear-weapons-trump_n_585c5511e4b0de3a08f4ccae|title=George Takei Reminds Donald Trump Of The Past Horrors Of Nuclear Weapons|first=Landess|last=Kearns|date=December 22, 2016|access-date=September 20, 2018|via=HuffPost}}</ref> At the end of World War II, after leaving Tule internment camp, Takei's family was left without any bank accounts, home or family business; this left them unable to find any housing, so they lived on [[Skid Row, Los Angeles]] for five years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=George Takei on being imprisoned as a child and revisiting his past for two new projects|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/george-takei-star-trek-on-internment-child-revisiting-past-1.5288707|last=Cummings|first=Madeleine|date=September 20, 2019|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref> He attended Mount Vernon Junior High School and served as Boys Senior Board President at [[Los Angeles High School]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=June 1956|title=W'56 [Boys] Senior Boards|journal=[Los Angeles High School] Blue & White [Annual]|volume=1956|pages=6}}</ref> He was a member of [[Boy Scouts of America|Boy Scout]] Troop 379 of the [[Koyasan Buddhist Temple]].<ref name="youtube.com">{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmnLYVNO5EE&NR=1|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/qmnLYVNO5EE|archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=George Takei - Boy Scouts of America Public Service Announcement|date=November 3, 2010 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="History for Commodore Perry Scouts">{{Cite web|url=http://corpsreps.com/corpsreps.cfm?view=corpshist&corps=534&corpstype=Junior|title=corpsreps.com - The Drum Corps Repertoire Database|website=corpsreps.com}}</ref>

Upon graduation from high school, Takei enrolled in the [[University of California, Berkeley]], where he studied architecture.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2017/09/19/george-takei-political-resistance-is-a-silver-lining-in-a-very-ominous-dark-cloud/|title=George Takei: Political resistance is a "silver lining in a very ominous dark cloud"|date=September 19, 2017|website=Salon|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> Later, he transferred to the [[University of California, Los Angeles]], where he received a Bachelor of Arts in theater in 1960 and a Master of Arts in theater in 1964.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tft.ucla.edu/alumni/notable-alumni-actors/|title=Notable Alumni Actors|publisher=UCLA School of Theater, Film and television|access-date=September 29, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006111604/http://www.tft.ucla.edu/alumni/notable-alumni-actors/|archive-date=October 6, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He also attended the [[Shakespeare Institute]] at [[Stratford-upon-Avon]] in England and [[Sophia University]] in Tokyo. In [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]], he studied acting at the [[Desilu Productions|Desilu Workshop]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.georgetakei.com/george-takei-biography.txt|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130103014157/http://www.georgetakei.com/george-takei-biography.txt|url-status = dead|archive-date = January 3, 2013|title = George Takei Biography|publisher = George Takei|access-date = February 5, 2007}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early career===
Takei began his career in [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] in the late 1950s, providing voiceover for characters in the English dubbing of the Japanese monster films ''[[Rodan (film)|Rodan]]'' (1956, US: 1957)<ref name="To The Stars">{{Cite book|title=To The Stars. The Autobiography of George Takei|last=Takei|first=George|publisher=Pocket Books|year=1994|isbn=0-671-89008-5|location=New York City|pages=[https://archive.org/details/tostarsautobiogr00take_0/page/135 135]|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/tostarsautobiogr00take_0/page/135}}</ref> and ''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]'' (1955, US: ''Gigantis the Fire Monster'', 1959). He appeared in the anthology television series ''[[Playhouse 90]]'', the ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]'' episode "The Case of the Blushing Pearls" (both 1959), and a handful of times in ''[[Hawaiian Eye]]'' during the 1960–61 season, including an eponymous episode as Thomas Jefferson Chu. He originated the role of George in the musical ''Fly Blackbird!'', but when the show traveled from Los Angeles<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vmoving.org/Movers/California/Moving-Company-in-Los_Angeles.html|title=The Relocation from Los Angeles|publisher=Relocation & Moving Division California|date=March 27, 2004}}</ref> to [[Off-Broadway]] the West Coast actors were forced to audition and the role went to William Sugihara instead. Eventually Sugihara had to give up the role and Takei closed out the show's final months.<ref name="To The Stars"/>

Takei subsequently appeared alongside such actors as [[Frank Sinatra]] in ''[[Never So Few]]'' (uncredited, 1959), [[Richard Burton]] in ''[[Ice Palace (film)|Ice Palace]]'', [[Jeffrey Hunter]] in ''[[Hell to Eternity]]'' (1960), [[Alec Guinness]] in ''[[A Majority of One (film)|A Majority of One]]'' (1961), [[James Caan]] in ''[[Red Line 7000]]'' (1965), and [[Cary Grant]] in ''[[Walk, Don't Run (film)|Walk, Don't Run]]'' (1966).

Takei starred as a landscaper of Japanese descent in "[[The Encounter (Twilight Zone)|The Encounter]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/2016/01/21/star-trek-actor-george-takei-familiar-prejudice/79120886/|title='Star Trek' actor George Takei is familiar with prejudice|author=Hinson, Mark|website=Tallahassee.com|publisher=[[Tallahassee Democrat]]|access-date=March 25, 2012}}</ref> a 1964 episode of the ''[[The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series)|Twilight Zone]]''.<ref name="TwilightZone1">{{cite book |last1=Presnell |first1=Don |last2=McGee |first2=Marty |title=A Critical History of Television's The Twilight Zone, 1959–1964 |date=1998 |publisher=McFarland & Company |location=Jefferson, North Carolina |isbn=978-0-7864-3886-0 |page=188}}</ref> CBS considered the episode's theme of US-Japanese hatred "too disturbing" to include when the series was syndicated.<ref name="TwilightZone2">{{cite news |last1=Courtney |first1=Steve |title=Treasures of the Twilight Zone |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/242225283/ |access-date=January 5, 2020 |work=Hartford Courant |date=October 8, 1992}}</ref> "The Encounter" was not seen after its initial airing until it was released on video in 1992 as part of the ''Treasures of the Twilight Zone'' collection.<ref name="TwilightZone1" /><ref name="TwilightZone2" />

Takei guest-starred in an episode of ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]'' during that show's first season in 1966. He also appeared in two [[Jerry Lewis]] comedies, ''[[The Big Mouth]]'' (uncredited, 1967) and ''[[Which Way to the Front?]]'' (1970). Takei narrated the documentary ''The Japanese Sword as the Soul of the Samurai'' (1969).<ref>{{cite web| url= https://archive.org/details/thejapaneseswordasthesoulofthesamurai| title=The Japanese Sword as the Soul of the Samurai | year=1969 |access-date= April 23, 2017}}</ref>

===''Star Trek''===
[[File:George Takei Sulu Star Trek.JPG|thumb|upright|Takei as Lieutenant [[Hikaru Sulu]]]]
In 1965, producer [[Gene Roddenberry]] cast Takei as [[Hikaru Sulu|astrosciences physicist Hikaru Sulu]] in the [[Where No Man Has Gone Before|second pilot]] for the original [[Star Trek: The Original Series|''Star Trek'']] television series. When the series was accepted by NBC, Takei continued in the role of Sulu, who was now the ship's helmsman.

It was intended that Sulu's role be expanded in the [[Star Trek: The Original Series season 2|second season]], but Takei's role in ''[[The Green Berets (film)|The Green Berets]]'' (1968) as Captain Nim, a [[South Vietnamese Army]] officer alongside [[John Wayne]]'s character, took him away from ''Star Trek'' filming and he only appeared in half the episodes of that season. [[Walter Koenig]] as [[Pavel Chekov]] substituted for him in the other episodes. When Takei returned, the two men had to share a dressing room and a single episode script.<ref name="William Shatner 1995">''William Shatner's Star Trek Memories'' – documentary film, released 1995.</ref> Takei admitted in an interview that he initially felt threatened by Koenig's presence, but later grew to be friends with him as the image of the officers sharing the ship's helm panel side-by-side became iconic.<ref name="William Shatner 1995"/>

Takei has since appeared in numerous television and film productions, reprising his role as Sulu in ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]'' from 1973 to 1974, and in the first six ''Star Trek'' films, the last of which promoted his character to captain of his own starship. Meanwhile, he became a regular on the [[science fiction convention]] circuit throughout the world. He has also acted and provided voice acting for several science fiction [[computer games]], including ''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]'' and numerous ''Star Trek'' games. In 1996, in honor of the 30th anniversary of ''Star Trek'', he played Captain Sulu in an episode of ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''.

Takei has spoken about personal difficulties with [[William Shatner]].<ref>William Shatner & Chris Kreski, ''Star Trek Memories''. New York: Harper Paperbacks, 1989, {{ISBN|0-06-166469-3}}.</ref><ref name="To The Stars"/><ref>[http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?j=p&d=1248753600 "George Takei is Still Here & Still Hitched"]. ''The Howard Stern Show'', July 27, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924021237/http://www.howardstern.com/rundown.hs?j=p&d=1248753600 |date=September 24, 2012 }}. Retrieved June 29, 2010.</ref><ref>Interview with George Takei by [[Gary Dell'Abate]] on ''[[The Wrap-Up Show]]'' July 27, 2009.</ref> However, in an interview in the 2004 DVD set for the second season of ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]'', Takei said of Shatner: "He's just a wonderful actor who created a singular character. No one could have done Kirk the way Bill did. His energy and his determination, that's Bill. And that's also Captain Kirk." He appeared alongside Shatner on the 2006 [[Comedy Central]] ''Roast of William Shatner'' in which the two mocked each other in good humor and embraced, Takei noting that he was "honored" to be there "despite our past tensions".

Takei is also one of six actors (the others being [[Jonathan Frakes]], [[Kate Mulgrew]], [[Michael Dorn]], [[Avery Brooks]], and [[Majel Barrett]]) to lend his voice to the 1997 video game ''Star Trek: Captain's Chair'', reprising his role of Captain Hikaru Sulu when the player visits the bridge of the original ''Enterprise''. In the summer of 2007, Takei played Sulu in the fan-made Internet based series ''[[Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II]]'' episode "[[World Enough and Time (Star Trek: New Voyages)|World Enough and Time]]".<ref>{{Cite news
|url        = http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.asp
|archive-url = http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20010922010033/http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.asp
|url-status   = dead
|archive-date = September 22, 2001
|title      = George Takei Does Internet 'Star Trek'
|publisher  = George Takei Official site
|date=        September 25, 2006
|access-date = February 5, 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url          = http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/
 |title        = A New Voyages Like You've Never Seen Before
 |publisher    = Star Trek: New Voyages
 |date         = August 8, 2007
|access-date  = February 5, 2007
|archive-date = February 5, 2007
|archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070205013351/http://www.startreknewvoyages.com/
 |url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

===After ''Star Trek''===

In 1979, Takei co-wrote the science fiction novel ''Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe'' with [[Robert Asprin]].<ref>{{Cite book
|last      = Takei
|first     = George
|author2=Asprin, Robert
 |year      = 1979
|title     = Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe
|location  = Chicago
|publisher = Playboy Press
|isbn      = 0-87216-581-7}}</ref>

Takei's autobiography, ''To the Stars'',<ref name="To The Stars"/> was published in 1994. At one point, he had hoped to make a film or telefilm based on chapters dealing with the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, of which he had personal experience.

In January 2007, Takei began appearing on ''[[Heroes (U.S. TV series)|Heroes]]'', as Kaito Nakamura, a successful Japanese businessman and father to one of the main characters, time/space-travelling [[Hiro Nakamura]], who also happens to be an obsessive fan of ''Star Trek''. In the first episode in which Takei appears, "[[Distractions (Heroes)|Distractions]]", the license plate of the limo he arrives in is [[NCC-1701]], another reference to the ''Star Trek'' series. He appeared in all four seasons of the show.

Takei appeared on the first episode of ''[[Secret Talents of the Stars]]'', singing [[country music]], but was not selected to proceed to the next stage. However the point became moot as the series was abruptly cancelled after the opening episode.

In 2008, he appeared on the 8th season of the reality TV series ''[[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! (Series 8 UK)|I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!]]'' on the British [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] television network. He lived in the Australian bush for 21 days and nights, doing tasks along with fellow campers to gain better meals and survive eviction from the show. His politeness and calmness made him popular with the other campers. Out of 12 participants the British public voted him into 3rd place behind 2nd placed [[Martina Navratilova]] and winner [[Joe Swash]].

In 2009, Takei appeared in an episode of ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]'' as the Neimoidian general, Lok Durd, the first time a leading actor from ''Star Trek'' worked in a ''[[Star Wars]]'' production. In April that year<!-- 2009 -->, he voiced a fictitious version of himself in the NASA animated short "Robot Astronomy Talk Show: Gravity and the Great Attractor", part of the web-series ''[[IRrelevant Astronomy]]'' produced by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope. Takei (and his husband Brad Altman) appeared in a documentary short titled ''George & Brad in Bed'' (2009) that profiled their relationship and was a guest on [[NPR]]'s ''[[Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!]]''.

In 2010, Takei recorded a series of [[public service announcement]]s for the Social Security Administration to help promote applying online for benefits.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/04/08/135231968/last-word |title=George Takei, Patty Duke Star In Social Security Ad |publisher=NPR |language=en |access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

In 2011, he appeared with husband Brad Altman in ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]'', a show on ITV in Britain presented by [[Phillip Schofield]] and [[Fern Britton]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/entertainment/quiz/mrandmrs/default.html|title=All Star Mr and Mrs|publisher=itv.com}}</ref>

Takei was one of the celebrities in the [[The Apprentice (U.S. season 12)|12th season]] of ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series)|The Apprentice]]''. He was fired in the third episode, which aired on March 4, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-celebrity-apprentice_n_1324328|title=George Takei: My Team Should've Won 'Apprentice'|date=March 6, 2012|website=HuffPost|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

Takei was featured with [[Martin Sheen]] and [[Jamie Lee Curtis]] in a performance of [[Dustin Lance Black]]'s play ''[[8 (play)|8]]''—a staged reenactment of the federal trial ''[[Perry v. Brown]]'' that overturned California's [[Proposition 8]] ban on same-sex marriage—as William Tam.<ref name="8 the play">{{cite news |title={{-'}}Glee' Stars 'Touched' By Pitt & Clooney's Support Of '8' |url=https://www.accessonline.com/articles/glee-stars-touched-by-brad-pitt-george-clooneys-support-of-8-114750|work=[[Access Hollywood]].|access-date=March 19, 2022|date=March 5, 2012
}}</ref> The production was held at the [[Wilshire Ebell Theatre]] and broadcast on YouTube to raise money for the [[American Foundation for Equal Rights]].<ref name="8 play video">{{cite web|title="8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality| date=March 3, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/qlUG8F9uVgM| archive-date=October 30, 2021|via=YouTube|access-date=March 18, 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|work=Pink News|access-date=March 18, 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, Takei starred in the musical ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]'', which Takei described as his legacy project. The show is based on Takei's own experiences and research into the [[Japanese American internment]] of [[World War II]] and premiered at the [[Old Globe Theatre]] in [[Balboa Park (San Diego)|Balboa Park]] in San Diego, California.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/09/01/160264485/george-takei-takes-story-of-internment-to-the-stage|title=George Takei Takes Story Of Internment To The Stage|publisher=NPR}}</ref> ''Allegiance'' debuted on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] on November 8, 2015, to mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Big Interview: George Takei: 'My mission in life is to get this chapter of US history known to Americans' |url=https://www.thestage.co.uk/big-interviews/big-interview-george-takei-my-mission-in-life-is-to-get-this-chapter-of-us-history-known-to-americans |access-date=January 23, 2023 |website=The Stage |language=En}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' said it was "unexceptional though often affecting"; ''[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]'' called it "a triumph of a rare sort, shedding light in a dark corner of our history with uncommon generosity of spirit". ''[[The New York Times]]'' praised the "well-intentioned and polished" play for tackling a difficult subject while trying at the same time to entertain its audience, but said ''Allegiance'' "struggles to balance both ambitions, and doesn't always find an equilibrium". The [[Associated Press]] said ''Allegiance'' tries to tackle internment camps, discrimination and war, "but does so unsuccessfully in a bombastic and generic Broadway musical". ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote, "In their sincere efforts to 'humanize' their complex historical material, the creatives have oversimplified and reduced it to generic themes." ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' said "the powerful sentiments involved are too often flattened by the pedestrian lyrics and unmemorable melodies of Jay Kuo's score". ''[[USA Today]]'' called ''Allegiance'' "as corny as Kansas in August and as obvious as [[Lady Gaga]] on a red carpet. But darned if it won't get a grip on your heartstrings."<ref name="BWay-reviews">{{cite web|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Review-Roundup-George-Takei-Lea-Salonga-Telly-Leung-on-Broadway-in-ALLEGIANCE-20151109|title=Review Roundup: George Takei, Lea Salonga, Telly Leung on Broadway in ALLEGIANCE|website=BroadwayWorld|date=November 9, 2015|access-date=March 19, 2022}}{{indent|3}}{{cite news|last=Stasio|first=Marilyn|url=https://variety.com/2015/legit/reviews/allegiance-review-broadway-george-takei-1201636192/|title=Broadway Review: ''Allegiance'' with Lea Salonga and George Takei|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 8, 2015|access-date=November 8, 2015}}</ref>

In 2013, Takei was a guest judge in the [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] reality show ''King of the Nerds'', in which he is one of three judges of the Cosplay Competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tbs.com/shows/king-of-the-nerds/ |title=King of The Nerds |publisher=TBS |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626011402/http://www.tbs.com/shows/king-of-the-nerds/ |archive-date=June 26, 2014 }}</ref>

Beginning September 17, 2013, Takei hosted ''Takei's Take'',<ref>[http://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/george-takeis-take-video-series/ "Takei's Take"]. AARP. Retrieved October 1, 2013.</ref> a web series reviewing [[Consumer electronics|consumer technology]] in a manner for viewers over 50 years in age. The series is produced by [[AARP]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://readwrite.com/2013/09/17/george-takei-activism-google-glass-social-media|title = Oh, My: George Takei Dishes About Activism, Google Glass And Becoming A Social Media Star|publisher = ReadWrite|author = Adriana Lee|date = September 17, 2013}}</ref>

Takei made an appearance in issue no. 6 of ''[[Kevin Keller (comics)|Kevin Keller]]'' where the titular character cites Takei as one of his heroes. Upon reading about Kevin with his partner, Takei decides to travel to Riverdale and surprise Kevin. Takei also wrote the foreword for the second volume of the ''Kevin Keller'' comics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-archie-comics-kevin-keller_n_2238525|title='Star Trek' Star George Takei Guest Stars In Archie Comics|last=Tungol|first=J. R.|date=December 4, 2012|website=HuffPost|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

Takei appeared in the [[viral video]] for [[Bonnie McKee]]'s song "[[American Girl (Bonnie McKee song)|American Girl]]" lip syncing the lyrics to her song.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/bonnie-mckee-american-girl-video_n_3504562|title=Watch Every Famous Person Do Karaoke|last=Makarechi|first=Kia|date=June 26, 2013|website=HuffPost|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

Starting in 2013, Takei became spokesperson for [[Rooms To Go]], an American furniture retailer. He was seen in a series of television commercials where he used his famous "Oh Myyy!" tag line.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ispot.tv/topic/actor-actress/Bm/george-takei|title=George Takei TV Commercials|website=ispot.tv|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

In January 2014, Jennifer Kroot's documentary film about Takei, ''[[To Be Takei]]'', premiered at the [[Sundance Film Festival]]. He also participated in ''[[Do I Sound Gay?]]'', a documentary film by David Thorpe about [[stereotype]]s of gay men's speech patterns.<ref>{{cite web |last1=van Hoeij |first1=Boyd |title='Do I Sound Gay?': Toronto Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/do-i-sound-gay-toronto-731253/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 19, 2022 |date=September 8, 2014}}</ref>

In 2015, he produced a YouTube mini-series ''It Takeis Two'' featuring himself and Altman,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/digital/news/george-takei-webseries-youtube-it-takeis-two-1201467666/|title=George Takei Launches Webseries 'It Takeis Two'|first=Seth|last=Kelley|date=April 7, 2015|website=Variety|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailydot.com/parsec/george-takei-husband-it-takeis-two-webseries/|title=Oh my! George Takei and husband to star in new webseries|date=April 3, 2015|website=dailydot.com|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> described as a "parody-scripted reality series" that also includes Internet culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-tao-of-takei-george-takei-new-web-series-20150407-story.html|title=The Tao of Takei: Internet wisdom from George Takei's new series|first=Deborah|last=Vankin|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=April 8, 2015|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> The series ran for nine episodes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ittakeistwo.com/|title=Episode 8: House Rules|website=It Takeis Two|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025130036/http://ittakeistwo.com/|archive-date=October 25, 2015|access-date=January 1, 2019}}</ref>

In early 2017, Takei was featured in television commercials promoting the restaurant [[Pizza Hut]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MJSG3_y64U| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/0MJSG3_y64U| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Pizza Hut Super Bowl Commercial 2017 - George Takei, Oh My|last=zoho|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2018|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 2019, Takei published ''[[They Called Us Enemy]]'', a 208-page memoir in the form of a [[graphic novel]], with a particular focus on his family's time in internment, co-written with Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott and illustrated by [[Harmony Becker]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://triblive.com/aande/celebrity-news/george-takei-talks-pittsburgh-new-novel-hollywood-and-john-wayne/|title=George Takei talks Pittsburgh, new novel, Hollywood and John Wayne|website=triblive|date=July 16, 2019}}</ref> The book received an [[American Book Award]] in 2020.<ref name=associatedpress>{{cite news |title=George Takei, Ocean Vuong win American Book Awards| work=[[Associated Press News]] |date=September 14, 2020 |url=https://apnews.com/8c4cb4c7193622a84620f65a158cdf3b}}</ref> He narrated the documentary ''[[Who's on Top?]]'' in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/life/outdoors/new-film-about-a-group-of-lgbtq-climbers-summiting-mt-hood-hopes-to-challenge-gender-stereotypes/|title=New film about a group of LGBTQ+ climbers summiting Mount Hood hopes to challenge gender stereotypes|website=The Seattle Times|date=May 20, 2021 |access-date=August 18, 2022}}</ref> In June 2021, [[Dean (education)|dean]] of the [[United States Air Force Academy]] [[Brig. Gen.]] [[Linell Letendre]] announced that ''They Called Us Enemy'', which details both Takei's struggle with internment and understanding of [[American democracy]], would be part of the Academy's new reading initiative for cadets. On February 23, 2022, Takei was the NCLS Kickoff speaker at USAFA, elaborating on his book and how his past influences his future.<ref>{{cite news |last=Silva |first=Cynthia |date=June 29, 2021 |title=Air Force Academy distributes George Takei's 'They Called Us Enemy' to cadets |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/air-force-academy-distributes-george-takeis-called-us-enemy-cadets-rcna1294 |publisher=[[NBC News]] |access-date=June 30, 2021}}</ref>

==Personal life and activism==
===Private life===
[[File:12.5.12GeorgeTakeiByLuigiNovi23.jpg|thumb|Left to right: Takei, ''[[They Called Us Enemy]]'' co-author Steven Scott, and Takei's husband Brad Altman at [[Midtown Comics]] in New York.]]
[[File:George Takei Chicago Gay & Lesbian Pride 2006.jpg|thumb|right|Takei at the [[Chicago Pride Parade]] in 2006]]
In October 2005, Takei revealed in an issue of ''[[Frontiers (magazine)|Frontiers]]'' magazine that he is [[homosexuality|gay]] and had been in a committed relationship with his partner, Brad Altman, for 18 years; the move was prompted by then California governor [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]'s veto of [[Same-sex marriage in California#Passage of same-sex marriage legislation (2005–2007)|same-sex marriage legislation]]. Takei said "It's not really [[coming out]], which suggests opening a door and stepping through. It's more like a long, long walk through what began as a narrow corridor that starts to widen."<ref>Rothschild, Matthew (May 8, 2006). [http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx0508b06 "George Takei, Mr. Sulu of Star Trek, Comes Out and Speaks Out"]. ''[[The Progressive]]''.</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.today.com/popculture/george-takei-mr-sulu-says-hes-gay-2D80555905 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908160713/https://www.today.com/popculture/george-takei-mr-sulu-says-hes-gay-2D80555905 | archive-date=September 8, 2021| title=George Takei, 'Mr. Sulu,' says he's gay |agency=Associated Press/[[NBC News]]| date=October 27, 2005}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> Nevertheless, Takei's sexuality had been an [[open secret]] among ''Star Trek'' fans since the 1970s, and Takei did not conceal his active membership in [[LGBTQ]] organizations, including [[Frontrunners]], where he developed public friendships with openly gay couples such as [[Kevin and Don Norte]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.georgetakei.com/frontiers/feature_second.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906224118/http://www.georgetakei.com/frontiers/feature_second.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |work=Frontiers |date=October 2005 |title=Passion Play |access-date=June 22, 2008 }}</ref> In an on-air telephone interview with Howard Stern in December 2005, Takei explained, "[We (gay people)] are [[masculine]], we are [[feminine]], we are caring, we are abusive. We are just like straight people, in terms of our outward appearance and our behavior. The only difference is that we are oriented to people of our own gender."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.advocate.com/society/people/2013/08/27/prime-timers-new-age-activism|title=Prime Timers: A New Age for Activism|date=August 27, 2013|website=advocate.com|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref> Takei also described Altman as "a saint" for helping to take care of Takei's [[terminally ill]] mother.

Takei currently serves<ref>{{cite web|title='Star Trek' Star and Human Rights Campaign Team up for 'Equality Trek'|url=http://www.georgetakei.com/hrc.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120226043121/http://www.georgetakei.com/hrc.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 26, 2012|website=The Official Website of George Takei|access-date=October 27, 2014}}</ref> as a spokesperson for the [[Human Rights Campaign]] "[[National Coming Out Day|Coming Out Project]]". In 2006, he embarked on a nationwide "Equality Trek" speaking tour sharing his life as a gay [[Japanese American]], his 18-year relationship with Altman, Frontrunners, and ''Star Trek'', encouraging others to share their own personal stories.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.hrc.org/takei/|title= George Takei US Tour|work= Human Rights Campaign|access-date = February 5, 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20061214022005/http://www.hrc.org/takei/ |archive-date = December 14, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.metroweekly.com/2008/01/beam-me-out/|title= Beam Me Out!|work  = Metro Weekly|author=Will O'Bryan|date=January 10, 2008|access-date = March 19, 2022}}</ref> In the wake of the 2007 controversy over former [[NBA]] player [[Tim Hardaway]], who had stated "I hate gay people", Takei recorded a mock [[public service announcement]] which began as a serious message of tolerance, then turned the tables on Hardaway by proclaiming that while he may hate gay people, gay people love him and other "sweaty basketball players", and promising Hardaway that "I will have sex with you". This was aired on ''[[Jimmy Kimmel Live!]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/2007/02/20/jimmy_kimmel_takei_hardaway/|title=George Takei's Message to Tim Hardaway|date=February 20, 2007}}</ref> Takei also appeared on the Google float at [[San Francisco Pride]] 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://valleywag.com/tech/gay-pride/sulu-joins-the-starship-google-271784.php|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080610170132/http://valleywag.com/tech/gay-pride/sulu-joins-the-starship-google-271784.php|archive-date = June 10, 2008|title= Sulu joins the Starship Google|work = Valleywag|author= Nick Denton|date=June 24, 2007|access-date = July 8, 2007}}</ref>

In 2014, Takei raised $100,000 for an adult [[Eagle Scout]] to start a web series, titled ''[[Camp Abercorn]]'', documenting his experiences in the [[Boy Scouts of America]] after he was forced to leave, due to their anti-gay adult policy. Takei stated, "As a former Boy Scout myself, it pains me deeply that the BSA still boots out gay Scouts when they turn 18. This web series will help educate and inform, as well as entertain. That gets a big thumbs up from me. Let's make this happen."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Esselink|first1=Jean Ann|title=George Takei Helps A Former Boy Scout Realize His Dream|url=http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/george_takei_helps_a_former_boy_scout|publisher=The New Civil Rights Movement|access-date=August 14, 2014|date=August 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819031106/http://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/george_takei_helps_a_former_boy_scout|archive-date=August 19, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 2015, after the announcement of the U.S. Supreme Court same-sex marriage decision, ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'', Takei was critical of [[Clarence Thomas]]'s dissent and called Thomas "a clown in [[blackface]]".<ref name="KChenHuffPost07032015">{{cite news |last=Chen |first=Kelly |date=July 3, 2015 |title=George Takei Apologizes For Calling Clarence Thomas A 'Clown In Blackface' |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-clarence-tho_n_7724876 |work=HuffPost |location=New York |access-date=March 19, 2022|quote=But my choice of words was regrettable, not because I do not believe Justice Thomas is deeply wrong, but because they were ad hominem and uncivil, and for that I am sorry.}}</ref> After defending his comments for over a week, Takei apologized for his wording.<ref name="KChenHuffPost07032015"/>

Takei was criticized for his response on Twitter to the [[shooting of Steve Scalise]] in June 2017. Calling Scalise "bigoted" and "homophobic", Takei criticized his previous opposition to same-sex marriage and commented that Crystal Griner, the officer who saved Scalise, was a lesbian. Takei's response was widely criticized, with [[Jake Tapper]] calling it "unfathomable".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediaite.com/online/what-is-wrong-with-you-george-takei-gets-pummeled-on-twitter-for-steve-scalise-jab/|title='What is Wrong With You?' George Takei Gets Pummeled on Twitter Over Steve Scalise Jab|website=Mediaite|date=June 18, 2017|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://us.blastingnews.com/showbiz-tv/2017/06/george-takei-unloads-on-homophobic-and-bigoted-steve-scalise-twitter-erupts-001782885.html|title=George Takei unloads on 'homophobic' and 'bigoted' Steve Scalise, Twitter erupts|date=June 17, 2017|newspaper=Blasting News|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/what-bernie-sanders-and-george-takei-could-learn-from-crystal-griner-and-steve-scalise/article/2626580|title=What Bernie Sanders and George Takei could learn from Crystal Griner and Steve Scalise|date=June 21, 2017|website=washingtonexaminer.com|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref>

===Marriage===
On May 16, 2008, Takei announced that he and Altman would be getting married. They were the first same-sex couple to apply for a marriage license in West Hollywood.<ref>[[Philip Gambone]], ''Travels in a Gay Nation: Portraits of LGBTQ Americans'' (University of Wisconsin Press, 2010), 264, 269–70.</ref> On June 17, shortly after Takei and Altman obtained their marriage license, they spread the news by holding a press conference outside the West Hollywood city auditorium.<ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.bostonherald.com/2008/06/18/gay-actors-apply-for-marriage-licenses-in-california/|title= Gay actors apply for marriage licenses in California|newspaper=Boston Herald|date=June 18, 2008|access-date = March 19, 2022}}</ref> They were married on September 14, 2008, at the Democracy Forum of the [[Japanese American National Museum]] in Los Angeles, of which Takei is one of the founders and serves as a member of its board of trustees.<ref>[http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/14/wed-me-up-scotty-george-takei-weds/ {{"'}}Wed Me Up Scotty!' George Takei Weds"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525095436/http://www.asianweek.com/2008/09/14/wed-me-up-scotty-george-takei-weds/ |date=May 25, 2011 }}. [[AsianWeek]]. Retrieved September 15, 2008.</ref> [[Walter Koenig]] was his best man, and [[Nichelle Nichols]], eschewing the title "matron of honor", was "best woman". Reverend William Briones of the Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple of Los Angeles presided.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-06-04-takei_N.htm|title= George Takei and partner plan to wed in September
|agency  = Associated Press|author= Michael Weinfeld|date=June 5, 2008|access-date = October 24, 2008|work=USA Today}}</ref>

Takei and Altman appeared in a celebrity edition of ''[[The Newlywed Game]]'' TV show, which the GSN cable network aired October 13, 2009. They were the first same-sex couple to be featured on the show.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdgBUWPUtL8 |title=Brad Altman and George Takei 'Newlywed Game' |via=YouTube |date=November 19, 2010 |access-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref> Takei and Altman won the game, winning $10,000 for their charity, the Japanese American National Museum.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Day in Gay America|page=25|work=Advocate|date=November 2011}}</ref>

In February 2010, Takei and Altman became the second same-sex couple to appear on the British game show ''[[All Star Mr & Mrs]]'', losing to rugby player [[Phil Vickery (rugby union)|Phil Vickery]] and his wife Kate.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/split-brought-tears-Raging-Bull-s-eyes/article-1833264-detail/article.html |title=Take That split brought tears to Raging Bull's eyes |work=This is Gloucestershire |date=February 15, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504121212/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/split-brought-tears-Raging-Bull-s-eyes/article-1833264-detail/article.html |archive-date=May 4, 2011 }}</ref>

===Politics===
Takei was an alternate delegate from California to the [[1972 Democratic National Convention]]. The following year he ran for a seat on the [[Los Angeles City Council]], finishing second of five candidates in the special election and losing by 1,647 votes; the winner, David Cunningham Jr., received 42% of the votes cast and Takei received 33%. During the campaign, Takei's bid for the city council caused one local station to stop running the repeats of the original ''Star Trek'' series until after the election and [[KNBC]]-TV to substitute the premiere episode of the [[Star Trek: The Animated Series|''Star Trek'' animated series]] scheduled by the network with another in which his character did not appear, in attempts to avoid violating the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC's]] [[equal-time rule]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Mangels|first=Andy|date=Summer 2018|title=Star Trek: The Animated Series|journal=RetroFan |issue=1|page=31|publisher=[[TwoMorrows Publishing]]}}</ref> The other candidates in the race complained that Takei's distinctive and powerful voice alone, even without his image on television every week, created an unfair advantage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.startrek.com/database_article/takei|title=Takei|website=Star Trek|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>

[[Los Angeles mayor]] [[Tom Bradley (American politician)|Tom Bradley]] later appointed Takei to the board of directors of the [[Southern California Rapid Transit District]], making him part of the team that initiated and planned the [[Los Angeles subway]] system. Takei was called away from the set of ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]'' in 1978 to cast the tie-breaking vote for the creation of the Los Angeles subway system. He served on the board from 1973 to 1984.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.asp |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20010922010033/http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 22, 2001 |title=George Takei |publisher=George Takei |access-date=December 4, 2013}}</ref>

In 1980, Takei began a campaign for California State Assemblyman (District 46) from the greater Los Angeles area. However, he chose to withdraw after his opponent challenged the airing of episodes of ''Star Trek'' on local television under the [[Federal Communications Commission]]'s [[Fairness Doctrine]] "equal time" regulations,<ref name="AP1980">{{cite news|title=Mr. Sulu Decides Against Running For Assembly Seat|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/47435308/santa-cruz-sentinel/|work=Santa Cruz Sentinel|agency=Associated Press|date=March 6, 1980|page=8}}</ref><ref name="Adamo1981">{{cite journal|last1=Adamo|first1=Susan|title=TAKEI BACKS SHOW, DROPS OUT OF RACE|journal=Starlog|issue=43|url=https://archive.org/stream/starlog_magazine-043/043_djvu.txt|access-date=November 23, 2014}}</ref> saying also that "this is the wrong time to interrupt my career as an actor and author."<ref name=AP1980 /> He also appeared as a sadistic Japanese POW camp commander in the World War II film ''[[Return from the River Kwai]]'' (1989).

In November 2010, Takei released a PSA blasting Clint McCance, who was at the time the vice president of the school board for the Midland School District in southern [[Independence County, Arkansas]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/cries-grow-louder-anti-gay-school-board-official/story?id=11995495|title=Ark. School Board Official Clint McCance to Resign After Making Anti-Gay Comments|website=ABC News}}</ref> In the video, Takei repeatedly called McCance "a douchebag". Takei's video was made as a response to McCance making blatantly [[homophobic]] remarks, stating that he "enjoys the fact that [gay people] give each other AIDS and die".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.avclub.com/watch-george-takei-call-homophobic-arkansas-school-boar-1798222379|title=Watch George Takei call homophobic Arkansas School Board member a douchebag|author=Sean O'Neal|work=AV Club|date=November 5, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref><!-- Video is dead, not link itself, to clarify --> McCance went on to encourage gay people to commit suicide, and stated that he would disown his children if they were gay.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/clint-mccance-anti-gay-facebook_n_774656|title=Clint McCance, Arkansas School Board Member, Wants 'Fags' To Commit Suicide|work=HuffPost | first=Nicholas|last=Wing|date=October 27, 2010|access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref> McCance later resigned his seat on the Midland school board. Takei was praised for his response to McCance and garnered much media attention with the PSA.

[[File:GeorgeTakeiHWOFSept2012.jpg|thumb|left|Takei in September 2012]]
In May 2011, in response to a Tennessee State Legislature bill that prohibited school teachers or students from using any language that alludes to the existence of homosexuality, Takei released another PSA in which he offered up his name, suggesting that people could just substitute that for 'gay'. For example, they could support ''Takei marriage'' or watch ''Takei pride parades''; or even use slurs such as ''That's so Takei'', or sing [[Deck the Halls|''Don we now our Takei apparel'']] during [[the holiday season]].

Takei marked the 70th anniversary of the internment of Americans of Japanese descent, including himself as a child, by asking his readers to contact the US Congress to block S. 1253, the [[National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012|National Defense Authorization Act]], that "would authorize a similar sweeping authority, granted to the President, to order the detention—without charge or trial—of any person even suspected of being associated with a 'terrorist organization{{'"}}.<ref name="Never Again">{{cite web |author=George Takei |title=Never Forget. Never Again |url=http://www.allegiancemusical.com/video/never-again |access-date=February 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207225636/http://www.allegiancemusical.com/video/never-again |archive-date=February 7, 2012 }}</ref>

On December 8, 2015, following [[Donald Trump]]'s call to ban all Muslims from traveling to the United States, Takei appeared on [[MSNBC]] to denounce him: "It's ironic that he made that comment on December 7, [[Pearl Harbor Day]] – the very event that put us in those internment camps", Takei said. "[A congressional commission] found that it was three things that brought that about. One was racial hysteria, second was war hysteria and third was failure of political leadership. Donald Trump is the perfect example of that failure.&nbsp;... What Donald Trump is talking about is something that's going to make his logo 'America disgraced again'."<ref name="denounceTrump">{{cite web|url=https://www.msnbc.com/thomas-roberts/watch/george-takei-on-donald-trump-582273091619 |title=George Takei on Donald Trump|publisher=MSNBC |date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 9, 2015}}</ref> During the [[First presidential transition of Donald Trump|transition]] following [[2016 United States presidential election|Trump's election]], [[Carl Higbie]] cited the internment of Japanese Americans as a historical precedent for a register of Muslims.<ref>{{cite news|title = Trump Supporter Cites Japanese Internment As 'Precedent' For Muslim Registry|date = November 17, 2016|first = Igor|last = Bobic|work = [[HuffPost]]|access-date =March 19, 2022|url = https://www.huffpost.com/entry/higbie-japanese-internment-muslim_n_582d2f9fe4b099512f80f7b7}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title = The Real Precedents Set By Japanese American Internment|date = November 17, 2016|first = Ben|last = Railton|work = [[HuffPost]]|access-date = March 19, 2022|url = https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-real-precedents-set-b_b_13049334}}</ref> Takei described Higbie's comments as "dangerous"<ref>{{cite news|title = Remember When George Takei Said He Loves A 'Country That Once Betrayed Me'?|date = November 17, 2016|access-date = March 19, 2022|first = Carla|last = Herreria|work = [[HuffPost]]|url = https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-japanese-internment-camps_n_582e11e6e4b099512f81ac2c}}</ref> and went on to say on ''[[The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell]]'' that "[r]egistration of any group of people, and certainly registration of Muslims, is a prelude to internment."<ref name="MRprelude">{{cite news|title = George Takei Blasts Muslim Registry As 'Prelude To Internment'|date = November 19, 2016|access-date = March 19, 2022|work = [[HuffPost]]|first = Ron|last = Dicker|url = https://www.huffpost.com/entry/george-takei-blasts-trumps-muslim-registry-as-prelude-to-internment_n_582f05e2e4b099512f82507e}}</ref>

On March 31, 2017, Takei announced his intent to challenge [[Devin Nunes]], Republican incumbent House Representative for the 22nd District of California.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://the-daily.buzz/a/george-takei-has-bombshell-announcement-and-washington-is-reeling|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170401095245/http://the-daily.buzz/a/george-takei-has-bombshell-announcement-and-washington-is-reeling|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2017|title=George Takei Has Bombshell Announcement, And Washington Is Reeling|date=April 1, 2017|work=The Daily Buzz|access-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref> A few hours later, he acknowledged that it had all been an [[April Fools' joke]] and instead announced his support for [[Jon Ossoff]], who was running in [[Georgia's 6th congressional district special election, 2017]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/politics/george-takei-congress/|title=No, Star Trek Actor George Takei Isn't Really Running for Congress|date=April 1, 2017|work=People|access-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/in-the-know/in-the-know/326828-april-fools-george-takei-jokes-hes-running-for-congress/|title=April Fools: George Takei jokes he's running for Congress|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|last=Smilowitz|first=Elliot|date=April 1, 2017|access-date=April 1, 2017}}</ref> While Ossoff did not win the House seat, he did become Georgia's Senator in 2021.

Takei formerly served as chair of the Council of Governors of [[East West Players]], one of the pioneering Asian Pacific American theaters in the United States, until 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eastwestplayers.org/board.htm|title=Board of Directors|work=East West Players|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206214017/http://eastwestplayers.org/board.htm|archive-date=February 6, 2005|access-date=February 5, 2007}}</ref> That same year, he played the parts of Sam Kimura and Ojii-San in East West Players' and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center's joint production of ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]''. Throughout the press tour of the production, he spoke openly about parallels he saw between the WWII-setting of the musical and the current political climate of the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/qa-with-george-takei-sam-kimura-ojii-chan/|title=Q&A with GEORGE TAKEI ("Sam Kimura/Ojii-chan")|last=Wood|first=Ximón|website=East West Players|date=March 10, 2018|access-date=July 17, 2019|archive-date=July 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717185225/http://www.eastwestplayers.org/news/qa-with-george-takei-sam-kimura-ojii-chan/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Takei and his husband Brad Altman own a New York City-based digital publication called Second Nexus which publishes "news with commentary from a progressive perspective".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://secondnexus.com/about|title = About|date = April 29, 2016}}</ref>

In the run-up to the [[2024 United States presidential election]], Takei came out strongly for [[Kamala Harris]] while criticizing [[Donald Trump]].  He wrote in an opinion piece in the Daily Beast that he viewed Trump as a creator of "cruel chaos" who must be prevented from taking office again.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/george-takei-enough-of-trumps-cruel-chaos-we-must-vote-harris |title=George Takei: Enough of Trump's Cruel Chaos. We Must Vote Harris |last=Takei |first=George |website=Daily Beast |date=August 12, 2024}}</ref> Takei also criticized [[Gaza war protest]]ers for not backing Harris' presidential campaign claiming that "I doubt they speak for most progressives."<ref name="x-gaza">{{Cite web |last=Takei |first=George |date=August 12, 2024 |title=It saddens me to see certain Gaza protest leaders refusing to get behind Harris... |url=https://x.com/GeorgeTakei/status/1823064325319180351 |website=X}}</ref>

On September 22, 2025, Takei was named the Honorary Chair of the 2025 edition of [[Banned Books Week]]. Takei mentioned his upbringing as having a "lack of access to books and media," and called on people to fight against censorship of books.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/george-takei-banned-books-week-cda7d9feb689c61f58c2594407d2811c|title=George Takei to lead Banned Books Week, urging the fight against censorship|date=September 22, 2025|website=AP News}}</ref>

===Religious beliefs===
Takei is a [[Buddhist]].<ref name="Buddhist">{{Cite news|last=Hamamoto|first=Ben|title=Seminar traces roots of Buddhists' support for LGBTQ rights|work=[[Nichi Bei Times]]|date=July 10, 2014|url=http://www.nichibei.org/2014/07/seminar-traces-roots-of-buddhists-support-for-lgbtq-rights/|access-date=July 25, 2014}}</ref> His father practiced [[Zen Buddhism]] and his mother practiced [[Shin Buddhism]]. He kept a small shrine when the family was incarcerated at an internment camp during World War II. After the war, Takei attended Sunday school at [[Senshin Buddhist Temple]] in Los Angeles, California. Takei and husband Brad Altman were married in 2008 at a Buddhist ritual performed by the Reverend William Briones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/the-active-buddhist-george-takei|title=The Active Buddhist: George Takei - Buddhistdoor|website=buddhistdoor.net|access-date=November 3, 2018}}</ref>

===Facebook===
[[File:George Takei by Gage Skidmore 3.jpg|thumb|upright|Takei at the 2019 Phoenix Comicon]]
Takei has also gained attention for his Facebook page where his daily posts of humorous pictures (many of which are related to science fiction, LGBT culture and political satire) have attracted over 9 million followers,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei|title=George Takei|website=Facebook (official)|access-date=November 15, 2015}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=March 2024}} some of whom are unfamiliar with Takei or ''Star Trek''. He has been lauded as "the funniest guy on Facebook".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/03/23/how-george-takei-conquered-facebook/|title=How George Takei Conquered Facebook|date=March 23, 2012 | work=Forbes | first=Alex | last=Knapp|access-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2012/04/20/george-takei-social-media/|title=How George Takei Went From Star Trek to Social Media Superstar|work=Mashable|last=Cabalona|first=Jeremy|date=April 20, 2012|access-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref> In September 2013, Takei used his Facebook page to defend [[Nina Davuluri]], who was targeted by a backlash of racist and [[Xenophobia|xenophobic comments]] after being named [[Miss America 2014]].<ref name="face">{{cite news|title=George Takei's Facebook Page|url=https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei/posts/750997274929728 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/205344452828349/750997274929728 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|via=Facebook|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="inquis">{{cite news|title=George Takei Defends Miss America Nina Davuluri After Racist Tweets|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/954111/george-takei-defends-miss-america-nina-davuluri-after-racist-tweets/|work=The Inquisitr|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=September 28, 2013}}</ref> He later appeared in a joint [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] interview with Davuluri, in which she revealed that she is a [[Trekkie]]. Takei told her, "In ''Star Trek'' we have this creed: 'Infinite diversity in infinite combinations'. That's what [[Starfleet]] was all about so you're a part of that." Davuluri ended the interview by stating, "I have to say 'Live Long and Prosper{{'"}} at which point Takei offered her the [[Vulcan salute]], which she returned.<ref name="takeiabc">{{cite news|title=After Defending Miss America From Racial Comments, George Takei Meets Nina Davuluri For First Time|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/video/defending-miss-america-racial-comments-george-takei-meets-20296663|work=ABC News|date=September 18, 2013|access-date=September 27, 2013}}</ref> However, Takei also attracted criticism from some people with disabilities in 2014 for his posting of a [[Internet meme|meme]] on Facebook and Twitter which shows a wheelchair-using woman standing up to reach something from the top shelf in a store and is captioned "there has been a miracle in the alcohol isle" [''sic''].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/lisa-egan/george-takei-facebook_b_5660280.html|title=Bullying Disabled People Is Never Ok – But It's Even Worse When You've Got 8.7Million Fans Watching|work=The Huffington Post UK|date=August 10, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2015}}</ref> Disabled people responded that people need not be paralyzed to need wheelchairs; Takei then removed the post and apologized on Facebook for his comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/georgehtakei/posts/1026144020748384 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/205344452828349/1026144020748384 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|title=George Takei – I've just come back from an extended trip|via=Facebook|access-date=February 6, 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Rescinded sexual misconduct allegation===
In November 2017, former actor and model Scott R. Brunton told ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' that Takei drugged and groped him in Takei's condo in 1981, when Brunton was 23 years old.<ref>{{Cite magazine|first=Ryan|last=Parker|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/george-takei-accused-sexually-assaulting-model-1981-1056698/|title=George Takei Accused of Sexually Assaulting Former Model in 1981|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=November 10, 2017|access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref><ref name="VFair">{{Cite magazine|first=Emma|last=Stefansky|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/11/george-takei-sexual-assault-allegations|title=George Takei 'Shocked and Bewildered' by Sexual Assault Allegations|magazine=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|location=New York City|date=November 11, 2017|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite news|first1=Ray|last1=Sanchez|first2=Tony|last2=Marco|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/11/11/entertainment/george-takei-sexual-misconduct-allegation/index.html|title=George Takei denies sexually assaulting model in 1981|publisher=[[CNN]]|date=November 11, 2017|access-date=November 12, 2017}}</ref> Takei denied the allegation, writing on Twitter: "I have wracked my brain to ask if I remember Mr. Brunton, and I cannot say I do.&nbsp;... Non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices, the very idea that someone would accuse me of this is quite personally painful."<ref name="VFair"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/11/16637386/george-takei-sexual-assault-claims-scott-brunton|title=George Takei is 'shocked and bewildered' at sexual assault claims|work=The Verge|access-date=November 11, 2017}}</ref> In response to the allegation, [[Mic (media company)|Mic]], [[Slate (magazine)|''Slate'']], [[Refinery29]], [[Upworthy]], [[GOOD Worldwide|GOOD]] and [[Futurism (website)|''Futurism'']] announced they would be cutting ties with Takei.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sutton |first=Kelsey |date=November 14, 2017 |title=George Takei's Facebook empire strains under sexual harassment allegations |url=https://www.mic.com/articles/186087/george-takeis-facebook-empire-strains-under-sexual-harassment-allegations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227132419/https://mic.com/articles/186087/george-takeis-facebook-empire-strains-under-sexual-harassment-allegations |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=March 6, 2021 |website=[[Mic (media company)|Mic]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Walters |first=Joanna |date=November 24, 2017 |title=George Takei saga sheds light on the murky world of pay-to-promote news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/24/george-takei-pay-to-promote-social-media-facebook-mic-slate-refinery29 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124123744/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/nov/24/george-takei-pay-to-promote-social-media-facebook-mic-slate-refinery29 |archive-date=November 24, 2017 |access-date=March 6, 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref>

On May 24, 2018, the ''[[New York Observer]]''{{'}}s Shane Snow reported that Brunton had "changed his story", describing his encounter with Takei as a "great party story" and confessing to "not remembering any touching" of his genitalia. Snow also consulted [[toxicologists]], who suggested Brunton likely had [[postural hypotension]] rather than a drugged drink, and a former Senior Deputy District Attorney, who contended "there's nothing to prosecute" if it was the case that Takei stopped physical contact with Brunton after being denied consent.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Shane|last=Snow|url=http://observer.com/2018/05/george-takei-accuser-scott-brunton-changed-his-story-of-drugs-assault/|title=Exclusive: George Takei's Accuser Has Changed His Story of Drugging and Assault |newspaper=[[The New York Observer]] |date=May 24, 2018 |access-date= May 25, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|first=Kristi|last= Turnquist|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/tv/2018/05/report_oregon_man_who_accused.html|title=Report: Oregon man who accused George Takei of sexual assault changes story|newspaper=[[The Oregonian]]|publisher=Oregonian Media Group|location=Portland, Oregon|date=May 24, 2018|access-date=May 25, 2018|language=en-US}}</ref> That same month, Takei posted Snow's article on his social media platforms while publicly forgiving Brunton for his misdeeds, stating: "despite what he has put us through, I do not bear Mr. Brunton any ill will, and I wish him peace."<ref>{{Cite news|first=Emma|last= Stekansky|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2018/05/george-takei-sexual-assault-accuser-retracts-claim|title=Report: George Takei Forgives Sexual Assault Accuser After Accuser Retracts Claim|newspaper=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|location=Greensboro, North Carolina|date=May 27, 2018|access-date=August 1, 2020|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
[[File:Loz alleg2.png|thumb|George Takei and [[David Henry Hwang]] discussing ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]'' at Columbia University in late 2015]]
In 1986, Takei was inducted into the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]] with a star at 6681 Hollywood Boulevard for his work in television.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walkoffame.com/george-takei|title=George Takei|date=October 30, 1986|website=Hollywood Walk of Fame|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>

In 2004, the government of Japan conferred upon Takei the [[Order of the Rising Sun|Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette]], which represents the fourth highest of six classes associated with the award. This decoration was presented in acknowledgment of his contributions to [[Japan–United States relations|US–Japanese relations]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.knbc.com/entertainment/3886455/detail.html|title=Actor, Assemblyman Honored By Japanese Government|date=June 28, 2008|website=KNBC Southern California|access-date=April 9, 2010}} {{Dead link|date=April 2015}}</ref>

[[Asteroid]] [[7307 Takei]] is named in his honor. Upon learning of the decision to name the asteroid after him, he said, "I am now a heavenly body. I found out about it yesterday.&nbsp;... I was blown away. It came out of the clear, blue sky—just like an asteroid."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2007/10/mr-sulu-cant-steer-clear-of-this-asteroid.html|title=Mr. Sulu can't steer clear of this asteroid - Tech Bytes|last=Jay|first=Paul|date=October 3, 2007|publisher=CBC News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918185218/https://www.cbc.ca/technology/technology-blog/2007/10/mr-sulu-cant-steer-clear-of-this-asteroid.html|archive-date=September 18, 2020|url-status=bot: unknown|access-date=August 1, 2017}}</ref>

In November 2007, Takei was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the [[List of San Diego Asian Film Festival award winners|San Diego Asian Film Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pacarts.org/awards/|title=Festival Awards|website=Pacific Arts Movement|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216210833/https://pacarts.org/awards/|archive-date=February 16, 2020|access-date=February 16, 2020}}</ref>

In June 2012, the [[American Humanist Association]] gave Takei the LGBT Humanist Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goddiscussion.com/81693/george-takei-receiving-lgbt-humanist-pride-award/|title=American Humanist Association 71st Annual Conference|date=June 7, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120523020106/http://www.goddiscussion.com/81693/george-takei-receiving-lgbt-humanist-pride-award/|archive-date=May 23, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=June 15, 2012}}</ref><ref name="palma1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2016/06/10/we-asked-george-takei-what-inspired-him-to-be-an-activist-and-his-advice-for-the-class-of-2016/|title=We asked George Takei what inspired him to be an activist and his advice for the class of 2016|last=Palma|first=Claudia|date=June 9, 2016|work=Pasadena Star News|access-date=March 19, 2022}}</ref>

In July 2013, the National Association of Asian American Professionals honored Takei with the NAAAP100 award for his contributions to the Asian community.

In May 2014, the [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation]] honored Takei with the [[GLAAD Vito Russo Award]], which is presented to an openly LGBT media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equality for the LGBT community.<ref>{{cite web |title=George Takei, "Orange is the New Black," "Concussion" among #GLAADAwards recipients in New York City |url=http://www.glaad.org/blog/george-takei-orange-new-black-concussion-among-glaadawards-recipients-new-york-city |work=[[GLAAD]] |last=Townsend |first=Megan |date=May 3, 2014 |access-date=May 4, 2014 |archive-date=December 29, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229115836/http://www.glaad.org/blog/george-takei-orange-new-black-concussion-among-glaadawards-recipients-new-york-city |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In May 2015, the [[Japanese American National Museum]] honored Takei with its Distinguished Medal of Honor for Lifetime Achievement and Public Service at the Japanese American National Museum's 2015 Gala Dinner in Los Angeles.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janm.org/events/2015/dinner/|title=2015 Gala Dinner|date=May 2, 2015|website=Japanese American National Museum|access-date=August 1, 2017|archive-date=March 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308230538/http://www.janm.org/events/2015/dinner/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On June 10, 2016, [[California State University, Los Angeles]] presented Takei with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters for his contributions.<ref name="palma1"/> In 2019, he was awarded the [[Inkpot Award]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comic-con.org/awards/inkpot/|title=Inkpot Awards}}</ref>

On April 1, 2020, it was announced that Takei would be the final torchbearer for the delayed [[2020 Summer Olympics|2021 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/events/george-takei-2021-olympics-tokyo-torchbearer/|title=George Takei will be final Olympic torchbearer for 2021 Tokyo Games|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> On April 2, he announced it was an [[April Fools]]' joke.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/april-fools-george-takei-not-lighting-olympic-flame|title=April fools! George Takei not lighting Olympic flame in Tokyo after all|last=Pockross|first=Adam|date=April 2, 2020|website=SYFY WIRE|access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref>

On September 28, 2022, Takei was awarded an honorary Doctorate by the [[University of South Australia]] in recognition of his distinguished service to the community.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One to beam up: Star Trek legend George Takei awarded Hon Doc from Australia's University of Enterprise |url=https://unisa.edu.au/media-centre/Releases/2022/one-to-beam-up-star-trek-legend-george-takei--awarded-hon-doc-from-australias-university-of-enterprise/ |access-date=October 3, 2022 |website=University of South Australia |language=en}}</ref>

==Filmography==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! Format
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1957
| [[Rodan (film)|''Rodan'']]
| Professor Kashiwagi (voiceovers only)
| English voice only
| U.S. version
|-
| 1958
| ''[[Ice Palace (film)|Ice Palace]]''
| Wang
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1959
| ''[[Godzilla Raids Again]]''
| Commander of Landing Craft (voiceovers only)
| English voice only
| U.S. version
|-
| ''[[Never So Few]]''
| Soldier in hospital (uncredited)
| ''[[Battle of the Coral Sea]]''
| Japanese Radio Operator (uncredited)
|-
| 1960
| ''[[Hell to Eternity]]''
| George
|
|
|-
| 1961
| ''[[A Majority of One (film)|A Majority of One]]''
| Butler
|
|
|-
| 1963
| ''[[PT 109 (film)|PT-109]]''
| Helmsman aboard Japanese destroyer (uncredited)
|
|
|-
| 1965
| ''[[Red Line 7000]]''
| Kato
|
|
|-
| 1966
| ''[[Walk, Don't Run (film)|Walk, Don't Run]]''
| Police Captain
|
|
|-
| 1968
| ''[[The Green Berets (film)|The Green Berets]]''
| Captain Nghiem
|
|
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Which Way to the Front?]]''
| Yamashita
|
|
|-
| 1972
| ''Josie's Castle''
| Ken Tanaka
|
|
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Star Trek: The Motion Picture]]''
| Lt. Commander Sulu
|
|
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan]]''
| rowspan="4" | Commander Sulu
|
|
|-
| 1984
| ''[[Star Trek III: The Search for Spock]]''
| Hikaru Sulu|
|
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| ''[[Star Trek V: The Final Frontier]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Return from the River Kwai]]''
| Lieutenant Tanaka
|
|
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Blood Oath (film)|Blood Oath/Prisoners of the Sun]]''
| Vice-Admiral Baron Takahashi
|
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]]''
| Captain Sulu
|
|
|-
| 1993
| ''Live by the Fist''<ref>{{Cite web|title=Live by the Fist (1993)|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/live_by_the_fist|language=en|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>
| Uncle Coronado
|
|
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Oblivion (1994 film)|Oblivion]]''
| rowspan="2" | Doc Valentine
|
|
|-
| 1996
| ''[[Oblivion 2: Backlash]]''
|
|[[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]''
| First Ancestor
| Voice<ref name="btva2">{{cite web |title=George Takei (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/George-Takei/ |access-date=November 26, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
|
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Bug Buster]]''
| Dr. Hiro Fujimoto
|
| [[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Mulan II]]''
| First Ancestor
| Voice<ref name="btva2"/>
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2008
| ''[[The Great Buck Howard]]''
| Himself<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/352075/The-Great-Buck-Howard/cast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419190437/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/352075/The-Great-Buck-Howard/cast|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 19, 2015|title=John Malkovich Stars in a Show Business Satire Directed by Sean McGinly|first=Stephen|last=Holden|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|author-link=Stephen Holden|year=2015|access-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ninja Cheerleaders]]''
| Ninja Sensei Hiroshi
|
|
|-
| ''[[Futurama: Bender's Game]]''
| Himself
| Voice
| Cameo
|-
| ''[[You Don't Mess with the Zohan]]''
| Himself
|
| Cameo
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword]]''
| Old Man Samurai
| Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Larry Crowne]]''
| Dr. Ed Matsutani
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2012
| ''[[Strange Frame]]''
| Tamadamsa
|Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|
|-
| ''[[Space Milkshake]]''
| Gary
|Voice
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Free Birds]]''
| S.T.E.V.E.
|Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2014
| ''[[Eat With Me]]''
| rowspan="2" | Himself
|
|
|-
| ''[[To Be Takei]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Axel: The Biggest Little Hero]]''
| Elder
| Voice
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| ''[[Entourage (film)|Entourage]]''
| rowspan="2" | Himself
|
| Cameo
|-
| ''The Gettysburg Address''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/George-Takei/71798/#Movies|title=George Takei|website=blu-ray.com|access-date=August 15, 2019}}</ref>
|
|
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Kubo and the Two Strings]]''
| Hosato
| Voice
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Yamasong: March of the Hollows]]''
| Elder Masook
| Voice
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank]]''
| Ohga
| Voice
|
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Show
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1959
| ''[[Perry Mason (1957 TV series)|Perry Mason]]''
| Toma Sakai
| Episode: "The Case of the Blushing Pearls" S3E4
|-
| 1960
| ''[[Assignment: Underwater]]''
| Kenji
| Episode: "A Matter of Honor"
|-
| rowspan="4" |1960–1961
| rowspan="4" | ''[[Hawaiian Eye]]''
| Hiroshi Kawagani
| Episode: "Sword of the Samurai" S1E18
|-
| Yen Fu
| Episode: "Jade Song" S2E5
|-
| Larry Chang
| Episode: "The Manchu Formula" S2E34
|-
| Thomas Jefferson Chu
| Episode: "Thomas Jefferson Chu" S3E5
|-
|1964
| ''[[The Twilight Zone]]''
| Arthur Takamori
| Episode: "[[The Encounter (Twilight Zone)|The Encounter]]"
|-
| rowspan="3" |1964–1965
| rowspan="3" | ''[[My Three Sons]]''
| Jimmy Soo
| Episode: "My Fair Chinese Lady"
|-
| Won Tsun
| Episode: "The Hong Kong Story"
|-
| Ham Radio Operator
| Episode: "Lady in the Air"
|-
| rowspan="2" |1965
| ''[[Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)|Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea]]''
| Major Lee Cheng
| Episode: "The Silent Saboteurs"
|-
| ''[[Death Valley Days]]''
| Wong Lee
| Episode: "The Book"
|-
| 1966
| ''[[I Spy (1965 TV series)|I Spy]]''
| Yuze
| Episode: "The Barter"
|-
| 1966–1969
| ''[[Star Trek: The Original Series|Star Trek]]''
| Lt. Sulu
| Main cast, 52 episodes
|-
| 1966
| ''[[Mission: Impossible (1966 TV series)|Mission: Impossible]]''
| Roger Lee
| Episode: "The Carriers"
|-
| 1968
| ''[[It Takes a Thief (1968 TV series)|It Takes a Thief]]''
| Wo
| Episode: "To Catch a Roaring Lion"
|-
| 1969
| ''[[The Courtship of Eddie's Father (TV series)|The Courtship of Eddie's Father]]''
| Mr. Sato
| Episode: "Gentleman Friend"
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Marcus Welby, M.D.]]''
| Fred
| Episode: "To Get Through the Night"
|-
| 1971
| ''[[Ironside (1967 TV series)|Ironside]]''
| Tsutomu Watari
| Episode: "No Motive for Murder"
|-
| 1973–1974
| ''[[Star Trek: The Animated Series]]''
| Lt. Sulu
| Voice, main role
|-
| 1974
| ''[[The Six Million Dollar Man]]''
| Chin Ling
| Episode: "The Coward"
|-
| 1975
| ''[[Hawaii Five-O (1968 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''
| Nathaniel Blake
| Episode: "Death's Name Is Sam"
|-
| 1976
| ''[[Black Sheep Squadron]]''
| Maj. Kato
| Episode: "Up for Grabs"
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Vega$]]''
|Dr. Takahama
| Episode: "Ghost of the Ripper"
|-
| 1985
| ''[[General Hospital]]''
| Diem
| recurring
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1986
| ''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]''
| Dr. Shen Wei
| Episode: "The Wish Child"
|-
| ''[[The New Adventures of Jonny Quest]]''
| Chin
| Episode: "Secret of the Clay Warriors"
|-
| ''[[Blacke's Magic]]''
| Casey Watanabe
| Episode 10: "A Friendly Game of Showdown"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1987
| ''[[Miami Vice]]''
| Kenneth Togaru
| Episode: "By Hooker by Crook"
|-
| ''[[Murder She Wrote]]''
| Bert Tanaka
| Episode: "The Bottom Line is Murder"
|-
| 1991–2016
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| Restaurant Owner, Akira, Waiter, Wink, Game Show Host, Himself
| Voice, 5 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1995
| ''[[Kissinger and Nixon]]''
| [[Lê Đức Thọ]]
| Television film
|-
| ''[[Kung Fu: The Legend Continues]]''
| Colonel Ong
| Episode: "The Return of Sing Ling"
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1996
| ''[[3rd Rock from the Sun]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Hotel Dick"
|-
| ''[[Spider-Man: The Animated Series]]''
| [[Wong (Marvel Comics)|Wong]]
| Voice, episode: "Doctor Strange"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]''
| Capt. Sulu
| Episode: "[[Flashback (Star Trek: Voyager)|Flashback]]"
|-
| 1996–1997
| ''[[Space Cases]]''
| Warlord Shank
|
|-
| 1996–2004
| ''[[Hey Arnold!]]''
| Kyo Heyerdahl
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
|1998
|''[[Hercules (1998 TV series)|Hercules]]''
|[[Ptolemy]]
|Voice, episode: "Hercules and the Falling Star"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rush |first=Cole |date=January 13, 2023 |title=CameOH MY: Five Excellent George Takei Voice Acting Roles |url=https://www.tor.com/2023/01/13/cameoh-my-five-excellent-george-takei-voice-acting-roles/ |access-date=August 7, 2023 |website=Tor.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Batman Beyond]]''
| Mr. Fixx
| Voice, episode: "Rebirth"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2002–2007
| ''[[Kim Possible]]''
| Master Sensei
| Voice, 3 episodes
|-
|2002
|''[[Samurai Jack]]''
|Warrior No. 4
|Voice, episode: "Jack vs. Demongo, the Soul Collector"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2002–2013
| ''[[Futurama]]''
| Himself
| Voice, 4 episodes
|-
| 2002
| ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]''
| High Mystic
| Voice, episode: "The Chosen One"
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Scrubs (TV series)|Scrubs]]''
| Priest
| Episode: "My Best Friend's Wedding"
|-
| 2005
| ''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
| Fire Nation Prison Warden
| Voice, episode: "Imprisoned"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2006
| ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]''
| rowspan="3" | Himself
| Episode: "Hal Grieves"
|-
| ''[[Psych]]''
| Episode: "Shawn vs. the Red Phantom"
|-
| ''[[Will & Grace]]''
| Episode: "[[Buy, Buy Baby]]"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| ''[[Cory in the House]]''
| Ronald
| Episode: "Air Force One Too Many" (missing info)
|-
| ''[[El Tigre: The Adventures of Manny Rivera]]''
| The Seventh Samurai
| Voice, episode: "Rising Son"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2007–2010
| ''[[Heroes (American TV series)|Heroes]]''
| Kaito Nakamura
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2008
| ''[[Star Wars: The Clone Wars]]''
| General Lok Durd
| Voice, episode: "Defenders of Peace"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (UK series 8)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!]]''
| Himself/Contestant
| Third place / 20 episodes
|-
| 2008–2009
| ''[[Chowder (TV series)|Chowder]]''
| Foie Gras
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2009
| ''[[Transformers: Animated]]''
| Yoketron
| Voice, episode: "Five Servos of Doom"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[Party Down]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Stennheiser-Pong Wedding Reception"
|-
| ''[[The Super Hero Squad Show]]''
| [[Galactus]]
| Voice, 3 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2010
| ''[[The Big Bang Theory]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "[[The Hot Troll Deviation]]"
|-
| ''[[The Suite Life on Deck]]''
| Rome Tipton
| Episode: "Starship Tipton"
|-
| ''[[Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated]]''
| Mr. Wang, White Wizard
| Voice, episode: "The Dragon's Secret"
|-
| ''[[Community (TV series)|Community]]''
| Himself/narrator
| Episode: "[[Epidemiology (Community)|Epidemiology]]"
|-
| 2010
| ''[[True Justice]]''
| Tanaka
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2011–2013
| ''[[Supah Ninjas]]''
| Hologramps, Evil Grandpa
| Main role
|-
|2011
|''[[Fish Hooks]]''
|Bird, Robot
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
|2011–2012
|''[[Pound Puppies (2010 TV series)|Pound Puppies]]''
|Mr. Julius
|Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2012, 2014
| ''[[Archer (2009 TV series)|Archer]]''
| Mr. Moto
| Voice, 2 episodes
|-
| 2010–2012
| ''[[Adventure Time]]''
| Ricardio the Heart Guy
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2012
| ''[[Hawaii Five-0 (2010 TV series)|Hawaii Five-0]]''
| Uncle Choi
| Episode: "Kahu"
|-
| ''[[The Celebrity Apprentice]]''
| Himself/Contestant
| 16th place<br />4 episodes
|-
|''[[Phineas and Ferb]]''
|Positive Reinforcement Machine
|Voice, episode: "Perry the Actorpus"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2012–2013
|''[[Transformers: Prime]]''
| [[Alpha Trion]]
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2013
| ''[[The New Normal (TV series)|The New Normal]]''
| Sam
| 1 episode
|-
| 2013–2014
| ''[[The Neighbors (2012 TV series)|The Neighbors]]''
| Supreme Commander/Father
| Recurring role
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2013
| ''[[Ultimate Spider-Man (TV series)|Ultimate Spider-Man]]''
| Elder Monk
| Voice, episode: "Journey of the Iron Fist"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[Lost Girl]]''
| Snake Man / Amphisbaena
| 1 episode
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2014
| ''[[King of the Nerds]]''
| rowspan="3" | Himself
| 1 episode
|-
| ''[[Real Husbands of Hollywood]]''
| Episode: "Don't Vote for Nick"
|-
| ''[[Through the Keyhole]]''
| 1 episode<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.comedy.co.uk/guide/tv/through_the_keyhole/episodes/2/2/|title=Through The Keyhole|work=British Comedy Guide}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness]]''
|Master Cheng
|Voice, episode: "The Real Dragon Warrior"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2015
| ''[[Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero]]''
| Sashi's Dad
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[Hot in Cleveland]]''
| Rev. Matsuda
| Episode: "Duct Soup"
|-
| ''[[Miles from Tomorrowland]]''
| Spectryx
| Voice, episode: "Eye to Eye"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[BoJack Horseman]]''
| Audiobook Narrator
| Voice, episode: "[[Brand New Couch]]"
|-
| 2015–present
| ''[[Robot Chicken]]''
| Various voices
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Regular Show]]''
| Daisuke
| Voice, episode: "Just Friends"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2016, 2020
| ''[[Bubble Guppies]]''
| Major Bummer, Master Rakunuki
| Voice, episodes: "Space Guppies!" and "Ninja Season!"
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2016
| ''[[The 7D]]''
| Dr. Sweet Tooth
| Voice, episode: "Smarty Tooth"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[Almost Royal]]''
| Himself
| Episode: "Future"
|-
| 2016–2019
| ''[[Elena of Avalor]]''
| King Toshi
| Voice, 2 episodes<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.disneyabcpress.com/disneychannel/shows/11836/episodes/model-sister/|title=Model Sister|work=Disney-ABC Press|access-date=July 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809125855/http://www.disneyabcpress.com/disneychannel/shows/11836/episodes/model-sister/|archive-date=August 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Fresh Off the Boat]]''
| Bernard
| 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2019
| ''[[The Terror (TV series)|The Terror]]''
| Yamato-san
| Season 2
|-
|''[[Star Trek: Short Treks]]''
|Hikaru Sulu
|Archive audio used in episode: "Ephraim and Dot"
|-
| rowspan="4" | 2020
| ''[[Love Monster (British TV series)|Love Monster]]''
| Elder Panda
|
|-
| ''[[Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?]]''
| Himself
| Voice, episode: "Hollywood Knights!"<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| ''[[The Twilight Zone (2019 TV Series)|The Twilight Zone]]''
| Kanamit No. 1
| Episode: "You Might Also Like"
|-
| ''[[Amphibia (TV series)|Amphibia]]''
| Mr. Littlepot
| Voice, episode: "The Shut-In!"<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ramos |first1=Dino-Ray |title=Disney Channel Renews 'Amphibia' For Season 3; Kermit The Frog, Jenifer Lewis, George Takei And More To Guest Star On Season 2 |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/disney-channel-amphibia-renew-season-3-matt-braly-brenda-song-kermit-the-frog-jenifer-lewis-george-takei-1202966693/ |website=Deadline |date=June 23, 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 2021; 2025
|''[[Star Wars: Visions]]''
|Senshuu
|Voice, 2 episodes; English dub<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 17, 2021|title=Stunning New Star Wars: Visions Trailer Debuts|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-visions-trailer-and-cast|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=Star Wars}}</ref><ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2021
|''[[Hit-Monkey (TV series)|Hit-Monkey]]''
|Shinji Yokohama
|Voice, main role<ref>{{Cite web |author=Marvel |date=September 20, 2021 |title='Hit-Monkey' Premieres November 17 On Hulu |url=https://www.marvel.com/articles/tv-shows/hit-monkey-premieres-november-17-hulu  |access-date=September 20, 2021 |website=[[Marvel.com]]}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="5" | 2022
|''[[Jellystone!]]''
|So-So
|Voice, episode: "Balloon Kids"
|-
|''[[He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2021 TV series)|He-Man and the Masters of the Universe]]''
|Mer-Man
|Voice, 3 episodes
|-
|''[[Resident Alien (TV series)|Resident Alien]]''
|Grey Alien
|Voice, 2 episodes
|-
|''[[Star Trek: Lower Decks]]''
|Hikaru Sulu
|Voice, episode: "Crisis Point 2: Paradoxus"
|-
|''[[Call Me Kat]]''
| Himself
|Episode: "Call Me Chrismukkah"
|-
| rowspan="2" |2023
|''[[Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai]]''
|Noggin
|Voice, 5 episodes<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/gremlins-star-zach-galligan-sandra-oh-george-takei-more-join-secrets-of-the-mogwai-guests/ | title='Gremlins' Star Zach Galligan, Sandra Oh, George Takei & More Join 'Secrets of the Mogwai' Guests | date=July 22, 2022 }}</ref><ref name="btva2" />
|-
|''[[Blue Eye Samurai]]''
|Seki
|Voice<ref name="btva2" />
|-
|2024
|''[[Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024 TV series)|Avatar: The Last Airbender]]''
|Koh the Face Stealer
|Voice, Episode: "Spirited Away"
|}

===Video games===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1994
| ''[[Star Trek: 25th Anniversary (computer game)|Star Trek: 25th Anniversary]]''
| rowspan="5" | Hikaru Sulu
| rowspan="2" | CD-ROM version<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Star Trek: Judgment Rites]]''
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (1997 video game)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]]''
|
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command]]''
|
|-
| 2000
| ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War]]''
|
|-
| 2003
| ''[[Freelancer (video game)|Freelancer]]''
| Lord Hakera
|
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Star Trek: Shattered Universe]]''
| Hikaru Sulu
|
|-
|2007
| ''[[Pain (video game)|Pain]]''
| Himself
|
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3]]''
| Emperor Yoshiro
|
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Marvel Super Hero Squad: The Infinity Gauntlet]]''
| Galactus
|<ref name="btva2" />
|-
| 2012
| ''[[Skylanders: Giants]]''
| Arkeyan Conquertron
|
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Family Guy: The Quest for Stuff]]''
| Himself
|
|-
|2016
|''[[Teeny Titans]]''
|Mr. Chibi
|<ref name="btva2" />
|-
|2017
| ''[[Futurama: Worlds of Tomorrow]]''
|Himself
| Playable character
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Yakuza: Like a Dragon]]''
| Masumi Arakawa
|<ref name="btva2" />
|}

===Web series===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2007
| ''[[Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II]]''
| rowspan="2" |Hikaru Sulu
|
|-
|2023
|''[[Star Trek: Very Short Treks]]''
|Voice, episode: "Hologram All the Way Down"<ref>{{Citation |title=Star Trek: very Short Treks {{!}} Holograms All the Way Down {{!}} StarTrek.com |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPCGkHjsK9M |access-date=September 27, 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Blue Eye Samurai]]''
| Seki
| Series regular<ref>{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/netflix-blue-eye-samurai-animated-action-series-michael-green-maya-erskine-george-takei-masi-oka-randall-park-lead-cast-1234594672/|title=Netflix Orders 'Blue Eye Samurai' Animated Action Series From Michael Green & Amber Noizumi; Maya Erskine, George Takei, Masi Oka & Randall Park Lead Cast|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=October 9, 2020|access-date=October 13, 2020}}</ref>
|}

===Commercials===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|2011
|[[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] advertisement<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2011/04/08/135231968/last-word |publisher=NPR |title=George Takei, Patty Duke Star in Social Security Ad |date=April 8, 2011 }}</ref>
|Himself
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Rooms to Go]]''
| Spokesperson
|
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Pizza Hut]]''
|Himself
|
|}

== Stage/theater ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Production
! Role
!Notes
|-
|1961
|''Fly Blackbird!''<ref>{{Cite book|title = To The Stars: Autobiography of George Takei|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OYg1BgAAQBAJ|publisher = Simon and Schuster|date = March 10, 2015|isbn = 9780743434201|first = George|last = Takei}}</ref>
|George
|Inner City Cultural Center
|-
| 1974
| ''[[The Year of the Dragon (play)|The Year of the Dragon]]''
| Fred Eng
| Off-Broadway
|-
|1987
|''Aladdin''<ref>{{cite journal|title = The globality of pantomime: a brief excursion|journal = Popular Entertainment Studies|date = January 2012|url = https://www.academia.edu/1945948|access-date = September 28, 2015|last1 = Sladen|first1 = Simon}}</ref>
|Genie<ref name="George Takei">{{cite web |title=George Takei |url=http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.php |url-status=dead |website=George Takei |access-date=September 28, 2015 |archive-date=August 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150825212126/http://www.georgetakei.com/bio.php }}</ref>
| [[The Hexagon]]
|-
|1988
|''Undertow''<ref>{{cite web|title = George Takei Gallery|url = http://georgetakei.com/archive/05.php|website= George Takei|access-date = September 28, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151031091125/http://georgetakei.com/archive/05.php|archive-date = October 31, 2015|url-status = dead|df = mdy-all}}</ref>
|
|Edinburgh Fringe Festival
|-
|1990
|''[[The Wash (1988 film)|The Wash]]''<ref>{{Cite book|title = Theatre World 1990-1991|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aFgiEodvfKEC|publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation|date = February 1, 2000|isbn = 9781557831262|first = John|last = Willis}}</ref>
|Sadao Nakasato
|Mark Taper Forum
|-
|2002
|''[[Pacific Overtures]]''<ref>{{cite web|title = George Takei|url = http://georgetakei.com/archive/news-2002-july.php|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905084138/http://georgetakei.com/archive/news-2002-july.php|url-status = dead|archive-date = September 5, 2015|website= George Takei|access-date = September 28, 2015}}</ref>
|Reciter
|Loft Theatre
|-
|2005
|''[[Equus (play)|Equus]]''<ref name="George Takei"/>
|Martin Dysart<ref>{{cite web|title = George Takei|url = http://georgetakei.com/archive/news-2006-january.php|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150905083811/http://georgetakei.com/archive/news-2006-january.php|url-status = dead|archive-date = September 5, 2015|website= George Takei|access-date = September 28, 2015}}</ref>
|East West Players
|-
|2009
| ''Aladdin''
| Emperor of China
| The Central Theatre, Chatham
|-
|2012
|''[[8 play|8]]''
|William Tam
|Ebell of Los Angeles
|-
| 2012–2015
| ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]''
| Sam Kimura (present day) / "Ojii-San" (Grandpa) (1940s)
| Old Globe Theatre and Broadway
|-
|2017
|''Pacific Overtures''
|Reciter
|Signature Theatre Company
|-
|2018
| ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]''
| Sam Kimura (present day) / "Ojii-San" (Grandpa) (1940s)
| East West Players
|-
|2023
| ''[[Allegiance (musical)|Allegiance]]''
| Sam Kimura (present day) / "Ojii-San" (Grandpa) (1940s)
| Charing Cross Theatre
|}

==Bibliography==
* {{Cite book|last=Takei |first=George |author2=Asprin, Robert |year=1979 |title=Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe |location=Chicago |publisher=Playboy Press|isbn=0-87216-581-7}}
* {{Cite book|last=Takei |first=George |year=1994 |title=[[To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei]] |publisher=Pocket Books |location=New York |isbn=0-671-89008-5}}
* {{Cite book|last=Takei |first=George |year=2012 |title=Oh Myyy! (There Goes the Internet) |publisher=Oh Myyy! Limited Liability Company }}
* {{Cite book|last=Takei |first=George |year=2013 |title=Lions and Tigers and Bears (The Internet Strikes Back) (Life, the Internet and Everything) |publisher=Oh Myyy! Limited Liability Company }}
* {{Cite book |last1=Takei |first1=George |last2=Eisinger |first2=Justin |last3=Scott |first3=Steven |last4=Becker |first4=Harmony |year=2019 |title=They Called Us Enemy |location=Marietta, Georgia |publisher=[[Top Shelf Productions]] |isbn=9781603094504 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/theycalledusenem00take }}
* {{cite book |last1=Takei |first1=George |title=My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story |date=2024 |publisher=Crown Books for Young Readers |isbn=9780593566350}}
* {{cite book |last1=Takei |first1=George |last2=Scott |first2=Steven |last3=Eisinger |first3=Justin |last4=Becker |first4=Harmony |title=It Rhymes With Takei|date=2025 |publisher=Penguin Random House |isbn=9781603095747}}<ref>{{Cite book|title=It Rhymes With Takei |last=Takei|first=George|publisher=Penguin Random House|year=2025|isbn=9781603095747|location=New York City|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/780673/it-rhymes-with-takei-by-george-takei-et-al}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=n}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* {{Official website}}
* {{emmytvlegends name|george-takei}}
* {{AFI person | 59514-George-Takei }}
* {{IMDb name|1786}}
* {{Tcmdb name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{iobdb name|47442}}
* {{Twitter}}
* {{Mastodon user}} on the [[Fediverse]]
* [https://www.biography.com/news/george-takei-pat-morita-japanese-american-internment-camps George Takei and Pat Morita's Harrowing Childhood Experiences in Japanese American Internment Camps] - [[Biography Channel]], May 4, 2021.
* {{C-SPAN|53635}}

{{American Book Awards (2020-2039)}}
{{Authority control}}
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