The beloved Mr. Sulu from the original Star Trek, George Takei is an activist for human rights (and a master of Facebook memes).
Why you should listen
George Takei is known for his portrayal of Mr. Sulu in the original Star Trek TV series and films, but since serving as the helm officer on the USS Enterprise, he's become a pop culture icon here on this planet. To Be Takei, a documentary on his life and career directed by Jennifer M. Kroot that premiered at Sundance in January 2014, will be released theatrically in August 2014.
Takei is a master of Facebook virality, and has written two books about it: Oh Myyy! - There Goes The Internet and Lions and Tigers and Bears - The Internet Strikes Back (known collectively as Life, the Internet and Everything, Books 1 and 2). He's also the host of the YouTube series Takei's Take.
Along with Lea Salonga and actor-singer-songwriter Telly Leung, he stars in a new musical called Allegiance (music and lyrics by Jay Kuo, book by Jay Kuo, Lorenzo Thione and Marc Acito). The musical is an epic story of love, family and heroism during the Japanese American internment.
Takei is an important advocate for LGBT rights; in 2005, he came out of the closet, and has been an active campaigner for the right of all people to marry.
What others say
“I think my new image as a comic observer of society happened as a result of a very serious mission I have.” — George Takei on OutQ