George Takei is a multi-talented American figure known for his work as an actor, director, author, and social activist. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of ‘Hikaru Sulu’ in the iconic ‘Star Trek’ television series and subsequent film adaptations. Born to Japanese-American parents in Los Angeles, George embarked on his acting journey with the 1960 film ‘Hell to Eternity.’ He went on to share the screen with Hollywood legends like Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, and Richard Burton, solidifying his status as one of the industry’s leading actors of Asian descent.
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In 1965, George Takei joined the cast of the groundbreaking series ‘Star Trek,’ captivating audiences with his memorable performance. He reprised his beloved role throughout the series’ run and in six motion pictures based on the franchise. Additionally, he lent his distinctive voice to various successful animated series, including ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars,’ and ‘Kim Possible.’
Beyond his contributions to entertainment, George Takei bravely came out as gay in 2005, becoming an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He has consistently used his platform to speak out against racism and other social injustices, garnering numerous awards and honors for his activism. Notable accolades include the esteemed ‘Doctorate of Humane Letters,’ the esteemed ‘GLAAD Vito Russo Award,’ and the esteemed ‘LGBT Humanist Award.’
George Takei’s remarkable career and unwavering commitment to social causes have made him an influential and respected figure, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the screen.
Table of Contents
Profile Summary
| Real Name/Full Name | Hosato Takei |
| Nick Name/Celebrated Name: | George Takei |
| Birth Place: | Los Angeles, California |
| Date Of Birth/Birthday: | 20 April 1937 |
| Age/How Old: | 86 years old |
| Height/How Tall: | In Centimetres – 173 cm In Feet and Inches – 5′ 8″ |
| Weight: | In Kilograms – 70 Kg In Pounds – 154 lbs |
| Eye Color: | Black |
| Hair Color: | Light brown |
| Sexual Orientation: | Gay |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Girlfriend: | N/A |
| Wife/Spouse Name: | Brad Altman |
| Kids/Children Name: | N/A |
| Parents Name: | Father – Takekuma Norman Takei Mother – Fumiko Emily Nakamura |
| Siblings: | N/A |
| School: | Mount Vernon Junior High School, Los Angeles High School |
| College: | The University of California, University of California, Los Angeles |
| Religion: | Buddhist |
| Nationality: | American |
| Zodiac Sign: | Taurus |
| Gender: | Male |
| Profession: | Author, actor, and activist |
| Net Worth: | $15 million |
| Last Updated: | 2023 |
Childhood & Early Life
George Takei, born on April 20, 1937, in Los Angeles, California, was raised in a prominent Japanese family. However, their lives took a drastic turn with the outbreak of World War II. In 1942, amidst the tensions between Japan and the United States, George’s family relocated to Arkansas, seeking safety and stability.
George’s childhood was marked by hardship and adversity. Japanese families faced discrimination and suspicion, leading to their internment in camps. George vividly recalls the fear and uncertainty that engulfed their lives during this time, including living in makeshift quarters and the tragic loss of family members in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. These experiences deeply impacted him, fueling his commitment to promoting peace and his unyielding determination to overcome adversity.
As the war ended and their lives gradually returned to normalcy, George’s family returned to Los Angeles. He resumed his education, attending Mount Vernon Junior High School and later Los Angeles High School. Initially aspiring to become an architect, George’s passion for cinema began to flourish, prompting him to pursue theater studies at the University of California. He earned his bachelor’s degree and continued his education, obtaining a master’s degree in the same field.
Following his academic journey, George delved into theater, honing his skills on stage. Eventually, he set his sights on Hollywood, embarking on auditions for film roles. This marked the beginning of his venture into the world of entertainment, where he would later make a lasting impact through his remarkable acting career.
George Takei’s resilience, shaped by the challenges he faced during his formative years, propelled him forward as a fearless and determined individual. His experiences instilled in him a deep understanding of the importance of advocating for peace and justice, principles he would champion throughout his life and career.
Personal Life
For a significant portion of his life, George Takei successfully kept his personal life under wraps. However, in 2005, he courageously announced his sexual orientation and revealed that he is gay. In subsequent years, he opened up about his enduring relationship with Brad Altman.
In addition to his iconic portrayal of ‘Sulu’ in the revered series and film franchise ‘Star Trek,’ Takei has garnered a strong following among millennials. He has captivated audiences with his sharp and humorous social media posts that tackle serious issues with a touch of sarcasm and wit.
Career
While pursuing his studies in architecture, George Takei stumbled upon a newspaper advertisement in 1956 seeking an artist to dub Japanese characters into English for the film ‘Rodan.’ This opportunity ignited his interest in the entertainment industry, prompting him to switch gears and pursue theater studies, ultimately leading to a significant turning point in his life.
His initial voice-over work opened doors to minor roles in popular TV series like ‘Perry Mason’ and ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Encouraged by these early successes, Takei aspired for more significant acting opportunities. In 1960, he made his feature film debut in ‘Hell to Eternity.’
Taking on smaller roles in notable projects such as ‘Ice Palace’ and the TV series ‘Mission: Impossible,’ Takei had the privilege of sharing the screen with revered Hollywood icons like Frank Sinatra. However, it was during the early 1960s that his career experienced a defining moment when he starred in ‘The Twilight Zone,’ a beloved and highly popular television series. This paved the way for his pivotal role in the forthcoming science-fiction series, ‘Star Trek.’
In 1965, amidst an industry largely dominated by American and European actors, Takei defied the odds and secured the significant role of ‘Hikaru Sulu’ in the groundbreaking ‘Star Trek’ series. This catapulted him to household name status in America, opening doors to a plethora of opportunities in major films and television series.
While dedicating himself to ‘Star Trek’ for the next few years, Takei also made notable appearances in films like ‘Walk, Don’t Run’ and ‘The Green Berets.’ When the original ‘Star Trek’ series was temporarily shelved in the late 1960s, he delved into other projects, making guest appearances on television shows and providing voice-over work for films and animated series.
He continued to embody his character in ‘Star Trek’ throughout the 1970s, starring in films and lending his voice to animated adaptations. Notable appearances during this period included series like ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ and ‘Hawaii Five-O.’
In the 1980s, Takei’s focus predominantly remained on ‘Star Trek,’ with occasional guest roles in television shows. He reprised his role as ‘Sulu’ in the first ‘Star Trek’ motion picture in 1979, followed by five more films over the next 12 years.
The 1990s brought a relatively quieter phase to his acting career. In 1990, he portrayed a Japanese officer in the film ‘Blood Oath,’ which centered around World War II. Inspired by his experiences during the war, Takei penned a book titled ‘To the Stars,’ published in 1994. The memoir provided a poignant account of the impact of the tragedy on a young Japanese boy who was thrust into a frightening world beyond his understanding. Despite an attempt to adapt the book into a television film, the project did not come to fruition.
In the 2000s, Takei made notable appearances as a guest on ‘Scrubs’ and graced the stage during the ‘Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner.’ He took on a starring role in the low-budget science-fiction TV movie ‘A.I. Assault’ in 2006. However, many of his subsequent roles were either brief cameos or voice-acting engagements.
Takei’s voice-acting career flourished as he contributed his voice to highly successful series such as ‘BoJack Horseman,’ ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Spider-Man: The Animated Series,’ and ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender.’
George Takei Net Worth
The renowned American actor, George Takei, is reported to have a net worth of $15 million, as indicated by various online sources such as Wikipedia, Forbes, and Bloomberg.
Having dedicated almost six decades to the entertainment industry, George Takei has achieved remarkable success as an actor. Over the past 20 years, he has also made a significant impact as a prominent voice actor.
His earnings from acting alone exceed $10 million, while his voice acting endeavors have contributed over $15 million to his net worth. Notably, he continues to receive substantial royalty payments from his involvement in the Star Trek franchise, amounting to approximately $300,000 annually.
| Name | George Takei |
| Net Worth (2023) | $15 Million |
| Profession | American actor |
| Monthly Income And Salary | $70,000 + |
| Yearly Income And Salary | $1 Million + |
| Last Updated | 2023 |
