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

Takei was born to Japanese American parents and spent part of his childhood in the Tule Lake Segregation Center during World War II. He began his acting career in college, leading to his iconic role as Sulu in 1965, a role he reprised into the 1990s.

In 2005, he came out as gay and has since become a prominent proponent of LGBT rights and has been active in state and local politics. Takei is also a vocal advocate for immigrant rights, showcased through his work on the 2012 Broadway show Allegiance, which explores the internment experience.

Fluent in both English and Japanese, Takei has received numerous awards for his work in human rights and Japan–United States relations, including his contributions to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, California.