“Up until the time I was cast in 'Star Trek,' the roles were pretty shallow - thin, stereotyped, one-dimensional roles. I knew this character was a breakthrough role, certainly for me as an individual actor but also for the image of an Asian character: no accent, a member of the elite leadership team.”

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.