About
"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."
In his nearly three-hour interview, George Takei talks about his earliest years, defined by his placement in Japanese internment camps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He speaks of his entrance into acting, which included guest appearances on the anthology series Playhouse 90 and The Twilight Zone. He then details the role for which he is most well-known, that of "Mr. Sulu" on the original Star Trek. He describes getting cast on the series, recalls working with his co-stars, and talks of notable episodes. He also comments on the worldwide endurance of the series and describes his appearances at Star Trek conventions. He mentions other television guest appearances he has made through the years, including one on 3rd Rock From the Sun. B-roll consists 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. Melody Chen conducted the interview on October 27, 2004 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
George Takei on how his internment during World War II influenced his life and career
George Takei on appearing in the Playhouse 90 teleplay "Made In Japan" (airdate: March 5, 1959)
George Takei on being cast on Star Trek as "Mr. Sulu"
George Takei on his favorite Star Trek episode "Naked Time"
George Takei on how he'd like to be remembered
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early years and family
On being confined to an American internment camp during World War II
On his early interest in acting; on his voiceover work; on his work at Desilu Playhouse
Chapter 2
On appearing in the Playhouse 90 teleplay "Made in Japan" (1959)
On co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
On working on the feature film Red Line 7000 directed by Howard Hawks
On some of the one-shot roles he had on TV and film
On getting cast as "Sulu" on Star Trek
Chapter 3
On his role as "Mr. Sulu" on Star Trek
On the production of Star Trek and working with his many colleagues
On the history of Desilu Studios, where Star Trek was filmed
Chapter 4
On studio-owner Lucille Ball; on working with fellow Star Trek castmembers James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, and Walter Koenig
On classic Star Trek episodes, including "Naked Time" (his favorite)
On Star Trek going off the air and its legacy and his character's legacy
On Star Trek: The Animated Series
On the legacy of Star Trek
Chapter 5
On Star Trek conventions and fans
On the TV movie The Year of the Dragon (1975)
On how he approaches the craft of acting
On his role in the TV movie Kissinger and Nixon; on his guest appearance on 3rd Rock From the Sun
Chapter 6
On his guest appearance on Star Trek: Voyager
On his then-current projects, writing his autobiography, thoughts on racism, advice to aspiring actors, and how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
3rd Rock From the Sun
George Takei on his guest appearance as himself on 3rd Rock From the Sun episode "Hotel Dick" (airdate: September 29, 1996)
Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The
George Takei on being pranked on The Daily Show
Kissinger and Nixon
George Takei on appearing in the TV movie Kissinger and Nixon (1995) as Le Duc Tho
Playhouse 90
George Takei on appearing in the Playhouse 90 teleplay "Made In Japan" (airdate: March 5, 1959)
Star Trek
George Takei on being cast on Star Trek as "Mr. Sulu"
George Takei on the character of Mr. Sulu on Star Trek
George Takei on working with the special effects, props and costumes on Star Trek
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's commentary on American society at the time
George Takei on working with Star Trek colleagues James Doohan, Nichelle Nicols, and Walter Koenig
George Takei on his favorite Star Trek episode "Naked Time"
George Takei on the Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror"
George Takei on Star Trek going off the air and its legacy and his character's legacy
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry's last appearance at the Star Trek 25th anniversary convention
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
George Takei on Star Trek conventions and fans
Star Trek: The Animated Series
George Takei on working on Star Trek: The Animated Series and how Leonard Nimoy ensured that the original cast would do the voices
Star Trek: Voyager
George Takei on his guest appearance on Star Trek: Voyager in the episode "Flashback" (airdate: September 11, 1996)
Twilight Zone, The
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
Year of the Dragon
George Takei on the TV movie The Year of the Dragon (1975)
Topics
Advice
George Takei on his advice to aspiring actors
Bloopers
George Takei on working on a Playhouse 90 where an actor forgot his lines and pantomimed until he remembered
Censorship / Standards & Practices
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
Characters & Catchphrases
George Takei on how the name of his Star Trek character, Mr. Sulu came about
Historic Events and Social Change
George Takei on being confined to an American internment camp during World War II
George Takei on the dearth of Asian people in the entertainment industry early in his career
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's commentary on American society at the time
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry envisioning diversity as the strength of the Star Trek crew
George Takei on being an Asian-American actor
Pop Culture
George Takei on how the name of his Star Trek character, Mr. Sulu came about
Representation on Television
George Takei on the dearth of Asian people in the entertainment industry early in his career
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry envisioning diversity as the strength of the Star Trek crew
George Takei on being an Asian-American actor
Studio and Network Management
George Takei on the history of Desilu Studios
Television Industry
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
George Takei on the history of Desilu Studios
George Takei on his advice to aspiring actors
Underrepresented Voices
George Takei on the dearth of Asian people in the entertainment industry early in his career
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry envisioning diversity as the strength of the Star Trek crew
George Takei on being an Asian-American actor
Vietnam War
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's commentary on American society at the time
War
George Takei on being confined to an American internment camp during World War II
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's commentary on American society at the time
World War II
George Takei on being confined to an American internment camp during World War II
Professions
Actor
George Takei on how he approaches the craft of acting
George Takei on his advice to aspiring actors
Performers
George Takei on how he approaches the craft of acting
George Takei on his advice to aspiring actors
Genres
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry envisioning diversity as the strength of the Star Trek crew
George Takei on working with the special effects, props and costumes on Star Trek
George Takei on the legacy of Star Trek in promoting diversity
TV Movies/Miniseries/Dramatic Specials
George Takei on the TV movie The Year of the Dragon (1975)
People
Neville Brand
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
Robert Butler
George Takei on co-starring in the controversial Twilight Zone episode "The Encounter" (airdate: May 1, 1964)
George Takei on Robert Butler
Gene Coon
George Takei on working with Star Trek producers Gene Coon and Bob Justman
James Doohan
George Takei on his favorite Star Trek episode "Naked Time"
George Takei on the advice James Doohan gave him about acting
Harry Guardino
George Takei on appearing in the Playhouse 90 teleplay "Made In Japan" (airdate: March 5, 1959)
Robert Justman
George Takei on working with Star Trek producers Gene Coon and Bob Justman
DeForest Kelley
George Takei on working with Star Trek colleague DeForest Kelley
Walter Koenig
George Takei on Walter Koenig's joining Star Trek
Leonard Nimoy
George Takei on working with Star Trek colleague Leonard Nimoy
George Takei on working on Star Trek: The Animated Series and how Leonard Nimoy ensured that the original cast would do the voices
Gene Roddenberry
George Takei on meeting Gene Roddenberry when being cast on Star Trek
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry envisioning diversity as the strength of the Star Trek crew
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek's reflection of American society at the time
George Takei on Gene Roddenberry's last appearance at the Star Trek 25th anniversary convention
Rod Serling
George Takei on meeting Rod Serling
William Shatner
George Takei on working with Star Trek colleague William Shatner
Ron Silver
George Takei on appearing in the TV movie Kissinger and Nixon (1995) as Le Duc Tho
Jac Venza
George Takei on the TV movie The Year of the Dragon (1975)