George Takei

Actor

"That torturous period, after the interview, until the phone call from the agent comes, you are made to go through this excruciating process. But the phone call came and I was cast. I was Sulu."

About This Interview

George Takei was interviewed for nearly three hours in Los Angeles, CA. Takei talked about his earliest years, defined by his placement in Japanese internment camps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He talked about his entrance into acting, which included guest appearances on such television series as Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone . He then spoke in great detail about the role for which he is most associated, "Mr. Sulu" on the original Star Trek . He described his casting on the series, working with his co-stars, and notable episodes. He also talked about the worldwide endurance of the series and described his appearances at Star Trek conventions. He talked about other television guest appearances he has made through the years, including one on Third Rock From the Sun . B-roll consisted of several photos from Star Trek, and individual photos from The Twilight Zone, Kissinger and Nixon (telefilm), Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country (feature film), and Star Trek: Voyager. The interview was conducted by Melody Chen on October 27, 2004.

Highlights

Interview

Shows

People

Topics

Bloopers
- George Takei on working on a Playhouse 90 where an actor forgot his lines and pantomimed until he remembered
  Clip begins at: 06:46, Duration: 03m 55s
Historic Events and Social Change > Diversity in Television > Minorities
Historic Events and Social Change > War > Vietnam
- George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's commentary on American society at the time
  Clip begins at: 10:34, Duration: 05m 29s
Historic Events and Social Change > War > WWII
- George Takei on being confined to an American internment camp during World War II
  Clip begins at: 02:34, Duration: 13m 08s
Pop Culture > Characters & Catchphrases
- George Takei on how the name of his Star Trek character, Mr. Sulu came about
  Clip begins at: 00:04, Duration: 01m 45s
Television Industry > Censorship / Standards & Practices
- George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
  Clip begins at: 11:13, Duration: 05m 42s
Television Industry > Studio Management
- George Takei on the history of Desilu Studios
  Clip begins at: 27:23, Duration: 01m 39s

Genres

Professions

Performers > Actor
- George Takei on how he approaches the craft of acting
  Clip begins at: 09:12, Duration: 12m 06s
- George Takei on his advice to aspring actors
  Clip begins at: 16:00, Duration: 01m 31s

Submitted by Bulamonto on Sun, 2013-02-03 17:55.

We thank George Takei for sharing his experiences during World War II. My family went to Topaz. We are documenting my mom's story through interactive transmedia sculptures (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quSdNflkyao) and sharing them on The Internet of Experiences.

Submitted by Mia Blunt on Thu, 2013-01-17 19:14.

Love this guy George Takei. He is someone I could see with himself a a varied career acting in TV, and yes every knows he is best for fencing and ancient weaponry. He is a hell of a guy when it comes to fencing. But less people know him to be a successful writer and community activist.

Submitted by auntbecky on Mon, 2011-06-27 10:39.

I've seen Ice Palace though I don't remember seeing George. I'll have to look for him when I see it again. For those that don't know it's sort of the history of Alaska seen through the eyes of two men that start out friends and become bitter rivals.

Submitted by YourFaceWillDie468 on Tue, 2011-06-14 19:29.

@YourFaceWillDie468 I just found out they did one on Sam Donaldson. In that case, I wonder if they ever do interviews on people who don't have much of a history in television. After all, the show is called TV Legends, but hey.

Submitted by maynrdjkeenan on Tue, 2011-05-24 06:45.

Greatest laugh ever. And voice, of course. Such a classy guy.

Submitted by ZamfirChannel on Thu, 2011-05-12 15:19.

"Oooooh Myyyyy!'

Submitted by YourFaceWillDie468 on Thu, 2011-04-21 23:36.

They've got to do an Archive Interview on Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Tom Brokaw, Dick Vitale, David Hartman, Sam Donaldson, Dan Rather, Stephen Sondheim, Ed Ames, and Mel Brooks. Chances are I'm going to think of many more people. In fact, I'm going to make a whole new comment about a bunch of actors I have in mind.

Submitted by YourFaceWillDie468 on Thu, 2011-04-21 00:55.

@Diane81000 Uh...that was relatively incomprehensible. First you seem to be insulting him, and then you're saying you want to see him act live. Exactly what do you think of him?

Submitted by thereddog223 on Sat, 2011-01-15 16:45.

Lucky you.

Submitted by thereddog223 on Sat, 2011-01-15 15:56.

I respect him.

Submitted by TheEminemBase on Tue, 2010-12-14 07:49.

On acting, I actually think that, I don't think brilliant acting is easy but, I also don't think it's that hard either and I also kind of think you either can or can't do it.

Like people who go to learn it and are good would be good regardless but will just maybe be better due to learning the history etc.

But I think part of the reason it's taken so seriously by... itself lmao, is like a defense mechanism for the fact that in reality, it's so silly. Just pretending to be other people lmao.

Submitted by Michael6by6 on Thu, 2010-12-02 09:24.

This man is a gem, he embodies all the qualities that anyone and everyone should aspire to. You are an inspiration George... much love, Michael

Submitted by Michael6by6 on Thu, 2010-12-02 07:35.

I have a whole new respect and admiration for this man, truly a more cerebral and thoughtful actor than Bill Shatner. No wonder BS does not like him so much. Shatner could only hopr to be the actor GT is... Kudos to George...

Submitted by dupont17r on Thu, 2010-09-23 17:19.

I'm going to see George Takei this weekend in Washington DC in "An Evening of Shakespeare in Klingon" a Washington Shakespeare Company special event. can't wait!

Submitted by jorgenmac on Mon, 2010-09-20 07:03.

How amazing is George? He appears quarterly for a week on the Howard Stern Show, and is mutually loved by every single person that listens to the show. He has singlehandedly changed how an alpha-male audience perceives gay men. A breath of fresh air in any setting, George is an amazing, amazing person.

Submitted by LKKruse on Sat, 2010-08-28 02:16.

@astrothwins
It is shameful. My grandfather told stories about growing up during World War Two about how he and his parents were treated because they were "German." And he was the first person I know that said Germany wasn't the only government that had Concentration Camps. All though the United States government didn't call them that.

Submitted by chosuriki on Sun, 2010-08-22 09:50.

Oh my! One of the best guest hosts on the Howard Stern Show.

Submitted by eurotwon on Mon, 2010-08-16 15:17.

This guy is an inspiration

Submitted by SidNightWalker on Mon, 2010-08-09 01:58.

American ass-holery at it's finest.But you can rise above that crap.

Submitted by astrothwins on Thu, 2010-08-05 20:26.

What a shameful part of American history. Why is this not talked about more?

Capturing Television History, One Voice At A Time