George Takei, born Hosato Takei, was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1937 to Japanese-American parents, Takekuma Norman Takei and Fumiko Emily Nakamura. Both of his parents were originally from Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan, and later worked in the real estate industry in California. His father, an Anglophile, named him George in honor of King George VI, whose coronation occurred shortly after his birth.
During World War II, following Executive Order 9066, Takei's family was forcibly relocated due to the internment of Japanese Americans. Initially, they lived in a converted horse stable at Santa Anita Park before being transferred to the Rohwer War Relocation Center in Arkansas. Later, they were moved to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center in Northern California.
After the end of World War II, the Takei family returned to Los Angeles. George attended Mount Vernon Junior High School and later became student body president at Los Angeles High School. He was also an active member of Boy Scout Troop 379, which operated out of the Koyasan Buddhist Temple.
Initially pursuing architecture, Takei enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley. However, he later transferred to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater in 1960 and a Master of Arts in Theater in 1964. His passion for acting led him to further study at the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan. While in Hollywood, he also trained at the Desilu Workshop, a well-known acting studio during that era.
George Takei is widely recognized for his role as Hikaru Sulu, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the original Star Trek television series. He reprised this role in six Star Trek feature films. While he did not appear in Star Trek: Voyager, he did guest star in the Star Trek: Voyager episode “Flashback,” which revisited events from the Star Trek VI film. His portrayal of Sulu became iconic, earning him a lasting place in science fiction history.
Takei’s acting career spans several decades and includes appearances in numerous television shows, films, and stage productions. In addition to acting, he has directed and lent his voice to various animated series and documentaries.
| Birth Date: | 20 Apr, 1937 |
| Age: | 83 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American actor and author |
| Net Worth 2021: | 14 million |
