“My father told me about American democracy. And he said you have to be actively engaged in the political process to make our democracy work. So I've been doing that my entire life. Civil rights movement. The peace movement during the Vietnam conflict. The movement to get an apology and redress for Japanese-Americans.”

American actor, author, and activist

George Takei is an American actor, author, and activist. He is best known for playing Hikaru Sulu, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise in the Star Trek franchise. His work on Star Trek made him widely recognizable, and he has also built a public profile as an author and activist. Across those roles, he is associated with a career that links popular culture and civic engagement.