To Live Long And Prosper, Do What George Takei Does

When George Takei talks about his childhood, he talks about both anguish and beauty.

The actor best known as Sulu from “Star Trek” was just five years old when he and his family, like thousands of Japanese American citizens during World War II, were relocated from their home in Los Angeles to a series of incarceration camps. .

Takei captured some of his family's wartime experiences (at a horse stable in Arcadia, California, a camp in Rohwer, Arkansas, another in Northern California) in his illustrated book, “my lost freedom”, which will premiere on April 16. “This is an American story that Americans need to know,” she said in a video call.

The book continues its mission to shed light on a dark chapter in American history. It follows his 1994 autobiography “To the Stars,” his 2019 graphic memoir “They Called Us Enemy,” and the 2015 musical production “Allegiance,” which was inspired by his life.

Takei, 86, spoke about meeting dignitaries with her husband, Brad, as well as the memories she treasures and her only healthy addiction. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

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See your work in lights

I received a phone call saying that the “Allegiance” marquee would go up at 8 am. Our apartment was so close to the Longacre Theater in Manhattan that we ran there to see the letters they posted there. It was exciting – a lifetime experience! I wished both of my parents could be there.

big band

At Rohwer, my father borrowed a record player from the camp administration every two months, and after dinner they cleared the tables, pushed aside the benches, and the teenagers were able to dance. My music before going to sleep was the music in the dining room. I still get a lump in my throat when I listen to big band music from the 40s.

Mount Fuji

My parents loved sending me to summer school. There was a session in Tokyo at Sophia University. I think I was 17 years old. One of the guys came up with this idea: “They allow people to climb to the top of Mount Fuji. Would you want to do that? About a dozen of us said yes. When you start, they sell you this cane. At each station they have an old man with a branding iron that will mark the staff; That is proof that you arrived at the station. I have the entire staff with the final branding.

Dining with presidents

Brad and I are a gay couple, I grew up in American prison camps and we went to a state dinner. in the white house, as guests of President Clinton in 1999 to welcome Prime Minister Obuchi to Washington. and I have other invitation from President Obama to greet Prime Minister Abe and his wife in 2015. Obama brought us up to the stage, I sat next to the first lady of Japan, and Brad sat next to Nancy Pelosi. What about that?

Sydney Opera House

A couple of years ago, we were in Australia and Brad was dealing with jet lag at bedtime. My attitude is that you have to walk and get the blood flowing and get a sense of where you are. He was walking and there was a lamppost advertising “The Phantom of the Opera” at the Sydney Opera House. So I ran back to the hotel, woke Brad up, and said, “Let's go to the theater!” It was a fantastic production.

Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles

It is one of America's premier institutions: the place for anyone doing any kind of research on that chapter of American history. I'm a former chairman of the board, I'm still on the board, and I founded that museum with others.

Seafood in Australia

For “Blood Oath,” we filmed near Moreton Bay. They have these insect-like crustaceans, a medium-sized crab with a thousand tiny legs. They said this was a dish unique to Queensland. It is a combination of the consistency of oysters and the flavor of lobster and shrimp. You have to try it to know what it really is like. It's so indescribably good.

Olympic torch

In 1984, the idea was for runners to carry the Olympic flame every three miles to the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles. “Star Trek” producer Harve Bennett said, “Well, George, you're a racer. “Paramount would love to sponsor it.” It was the most exciting race and I got to keep the uniform and the torch.

Grauman Chinese Theater in Los Angeles

When we left the camp in 1946, the whole world opened up and the Chinese theater was a glamorous place for me. You'll find my name, along with those of my “Star Trek” colleagues, right there on that sidewalk.