Origins & Early Life

George Takei ( tə-KAY; born Hosato Takei, April 20, 1937) is an American actor, author, and activist. He is known for his role as Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek franchise. 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.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Upon coming out as gay in 2005, he became a prominent proponent of LGBTQ 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 show Allegiance, about the internment experience. Takei spoke both English and Japanese growing up and remains fluent in both languages. 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. Takei was born Hosato Takei on April 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, to Japanese American parents Fumiko Emily Nakamura (born in Sacramento, California) and Takekuma Norman Takei...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Alain Badiou — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Influential French philosopher known for 'Being and Event' and universalism.
• Andrew Mellon — Contemporary (Died in 1937) (1937): American banker, industrialist, and politician who served as Secretary of the Treasury.
• Anthony Hopkins — Contemporary (Born in 1937) (1937): Esteemed Welsh actor celebrated for powerful stage and screen performances.
• 3rd Dalai Lama — Shared historical date (04-20 · Died) (1588): Founding figure of the Dalai Lama lineage, pivotal to Gelug school's rise in Tibet.
• Billy Magnussen — Shared historical date (04-20 · Born) (1985): American actor known for film roles in 'Aladdin' and 'Bridge of Spies'
• Antonio Gramsci — Historical peer (Died in 1937) (1937): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• Armin Hary — Historical peer (Born in 1937) (1937): German sprinter, Olympic champion, and pioneer in 100m dash history.
• Aamir Khan — Historical peer (Born in 1965) (1965): Iconic Indian actor and filmmaker, known for his dedication to cinematic perfection.
• Albert Schweitzer — Historical peer (Died in 1965) (1965): German polymath renowned for theology, music, and 'Reverence for Life'
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances.
• 1937 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1937
• April 20 (04-20) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on April 20