San Diego Asian Film Festival 2009

With millions of fans around the world, George Takei is arguably Asian America's most famous living icon. Best known for his distinctive voice and portrayal of Mr. Sulu (or Lt. Hikaru Sulu for you Trekkies) on the acclaimed television and film series Star Trek, George has more than 30 feature films and hundreds of television guest-starring roles to his credit.

His acting career dates back to the 1950s when there were virtually a handful of minorities in Hollywood. His motion picture debut was in "Ice Palace" starring Richard Burton in 1959. Seven years later, as a member of the original Star Trek cast, George challenged convention by becoming one of the first Asian American actors to speak without a foreign accent and without the burden of stereotypes in his role as Sulu. Originally helmsman of the starship USS Enterprise, Sulu was promoted to captain of the USS Excelsior.

In addition to his role in Star Trek which spanned more than 40 years, George has appeared in a wide variety of shows including Will & Grace, Malcolm in the Middle, Murder She Wrote, Twilight Zone, Miami Vice, Hawaii Five-O, My Three Sons, and many others.

Even today, George continues his remarkable career as a recurring character on the popular NBC show, Heroes, playing Kaito Nakamura, the father of time-traveler Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka). You can also catch him from time-to-time as a semi-regular on Howard Stern's Sirius Satellite Radio show, where he has garnered praise from loyal Stern fans for his sense of humor, honesty, and his booming laugh.

George's notoriety has also given him the platform to share his experiences of spending most of his childhood in American internment camps during World War II. He is an outspoken community activist and a member of the Human Rights Campaign, having traveled the country to speak on civil rights for gay, lesbian, and transgender Americans.

For his five decades in Hollywood and his invaluable contributions to society, the San Diego Asian Film Foundation is honoring George Takei with a lifetime achievement award, and we will host an intimate discussion with him on his career, his life, and legacy.