Anyone who has followed the Star Trek franchise since its inception obviously knows the name George Takei. Who can hastily forget the man who played the character of Hikaru Sulu, the pilot of the USS Enterprise?
The actor, director, activist and author has millions of followers on social media. This is probably due to his public involvement and his support for the cause of the LGBT movement. He has received many accolades for this and for his work on Japan-US relations. It should be noted that his desire to build this cross-cultural understanding stems from his experience in World War II, when he was interned in a US-run concentration camp.
Takei’s story is a great example of what anyone can achieve despite their sexual orientation or past experiences.
The life and career of George Takei
George was named after King George VI of the United Kingdom from his father, Takekuma Norman. He was born in Los Angeles, California on April 20, 1937. Beginning in 1942, George and his family spent several years in three different American concentration camps in California and Arkansas. After the war, his family moved to Los Angeles, where George attended Mount Vernon Junior High School and then Los Angeles High School, where he became president of the Boy’s Division.
He went on to study architecture at the University of California, Berkeley, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s degree in theater from the University of California, Los Angeles. He also studied acting at the now defunct Desilu Workshop in Hollywood.
George began his career as the voice for the English adaptation of the Japanese monster film Godzilla Raids Again. In the years that followed, he worked on everything from Broadway shows to TV series and movies. In the 1960s, he was particularly involved in films such as A majority of one; Hell to eternity; Impossible mission; Green Berets; and The Big Mouth. For these roles, he was able to rub shoulders with excellent actors such as Frank Sinatra, Jeffrey Hunter, James Caan and Jerry Lewis.
The Japanese-American actor shot to fame when he was cast as Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu. He reprized this role in the first six installments of the Star Trek franchise. He was also in television and animated series adaptations of Star Trek in the 60s and 70s.
After the success of Star Trek, George had a brief stint in politics. He served on the Los Angeles City Council in 1973 and the California State Assemblyman in 1980. He lost the race in 1973 and retired in 1980. In the 90s and 2000s he played more roles in movies and TV series.. These included Return of the River Kwai, Blood Oath, Heroes, Boston Legal, Larry Crowne, and Allegiance. Not to mention cameo appearances in a few Star Trek-inspired series.
In June 2006, George Takei joined the cast of The Howard Stern Show as an announcer. Over the years, it has received positive reviews from fans of the show for its wit, sense of humor, and candor.
In January 2014, a documentary film, Being Takei, highlighting her career and activism premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and received positive reviews. Takei was also in a documentary film about gay people and their stereotypical patterns. It was titled Do I Sound Gay?
At different times, he was a spokesperson and promoter for different companies such as Rooms to Go and Pizza Hut.
Takei received a myriad of awards during his lifetime. In 1986, he had his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2004 he was awarded the title of Order of the Rising Sun, Golden Rays with Rosette. This was conferred on him by the Japanese government for his contributions to US-Japan relations. He also won an Excellence Award, an LGBT Humanist Award, a GLAAD Vito Russo Award and more.
In 1994, NASA dedicated a newly discovered asteroid to the veteran actor, naming it Asteroid 7307 Takei.
Who is George Takei’s husband?
For those who have known George the longest, his sexual orientation was never a secret, he never tried to hide it from those he had worked with as far back as his father. Star Trek days. George Takei is married to a man named BradAltman, whom he had been dating for eighteen years before his sexuality went public in October 2005, came after California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed the marriage between people of the same sex in California.
George’s love for his partner runs deep as he previously Altman was described as a saint who helped him care for his terminally ill mother. Takei, who has traveled widely to talk about his career and romantic life as a Japanese-American queer, married Altman in 2008. They were the first couple to get their marriage license in West Hollywood. On September 14, 2008, Takei and Altman met at the Japanese American National Museum’s Democracy Forum.
George and her husband appeared on the British All-Star game show Mr & Mrs in February 2010. They were only the second same-sex couple to appear on the show.
How much is it worth?
George Takei is in the final round of his career, but he has certainly done enough to leave a legacy that will be hard to forget. Its most successful period was during Star Trek’s boom days. The compensation actors receive today is far above the 60s norm. This helps keep Takei’s net worth lower than many would expect. According to Celebrity Net Worth, Takei’s net worth stands at $12 million, while her partner Brad Altman, according to online sources, is said to have a net worth of around $1.3 million.
