“˜Star Trek’ actor returns to sci-fi in “˜Heroes’
By Devon Dickau
May 20, 2007 9:03 p.m.
When George Takei attended UCLA, the sculpture garden was a parking lot. And behind the asphalt was a forest ““ the trees where the theater student rehearsed Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
But much more has changed since Takei’s first turn at stardom in 1965 as Hikaru Sulu of the original cast of Gene Roddenberry’s little science-fiction television program ““ now cult classic ““ “Star Trek.” He was the only Asian American actor on the show.
Though the frequency of Asian American actors in American media has only barely improved, programs such as “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Lost” and most recently, “Heroes,” have opened the doors to more diverse casts. And while the face of sci-fi has surely changed since “Star Trek,” Takei has returned to his science-fiction roots as a guest star on the hit show “Heroes,” making a strong showing in the last few episodes of the season as Kaito Nakamura, father of the brave and bespectacled Hiro.
Stage and screen actor, voice artist and prominent activist, Takei has made a name for himself in a variety of arenas since graduating from UCLA with a bachelor of arts in 1960 and a master of arts in 1964, both in theater. But for Takei, “Heroes,” which explores a growing group of “everyday” people with special abilities, is part of what he calls his “second wind.”
He sat down with the Daily Bruin to discuss his storied career, his recent resurgence and science fiction in the modern age.
Daily Bruin: Because of “Star Trek,” you’ve been a recognizable face for over 40 years. But with “Heroes,” and other recent television guest appearances, do you feel you are reemerging in the public light?
George Takei: I am a marathoner. And when you do long-distance running there’s this thing called “second wind.” This seems to be my second wind now. I’m a workaholic. Most people my age are retired now. But I just can’t imagine what that’s like. It must get awfully boring.
DB: “Heroes” also marks your reentry into the science-fiction genre. Why is sci-fi so appealing?
GT: The great science fiction ““ such as Gene Roddenberry with “Star Trek” ““ is able to make commentary on issues of our time that one could not normally do on television.
When putting it in another guise, an intelligent audience can say: “Ah, he’s talking about the Vietnam War. Or the civil rights struggle.” You can address deeper contemporary issues in a more profound way and with greater freedom.
DB: “Heroes” is very timely with current American sentiments: After Sept. 11, firefighters became America’s heroes. And our soldiers overseas are our most recent real-life heroes. How does “Heroes” comment on society today?
GT: And even the terrorists are seen as heroes in their own lands. (The show) addresses the idea of who is good and who is bad, seen from different vantage points. And we are all ““ like the characters in the show ““ ordinary people with extraordinary powers. We all have capabilities, and how we use those capabilities determines how you contribute to this world.
Also, just like “Star Trek,” “Heroes” shows that we are diverse. You see people from all over this planet, all with their own unique stories and powers. And when all those powers get together and work in concert, what tremendous things can be done ““ or what terrific things can be done?
DB: Television programs such as “Heroes” and “Lost” take pride in their diverse casts. How do you think American media today is addressing issues of diversity?
GT: When I first got my Screen Actors Guild card in 1958, there were very few opportunities for Asian American actors. They were usually minor roles, usually stock characters, stereotypes. It’s pressure on our part, and certainly through the Screen Actors Guild we’ve been advocating a reflection of American diversity. How can you do a series in cities like New York or San Francisco and not reflect the American scene?
Today, we have Sandra Oh in “Grey’s Anatomy,” but how can you have a show called “L.A. Law” and not have Asian American lawyers or clients? The change is coming. And not for benign attention from the powers that be, but because we’ve been actively trying to make them honest, make them reflect the reality of America.
DB: On another level, do you feel that the popularity of “Star Trek” paved the way for the popularity of science fiction shows like “Lost” and “Heroes”?
GT: Before “Star Trek,” they had space shows, but they were essentially fantasies in space ““ not true science fiction. Science fiction takes you into another realm. But there are strong realities. The new reality that is created must be adhered to.
In fantasy, things can happen without explanation. So when Roddenberry presented the science-fiction concepts on “Star Trek,” we couldn’t find our audience in first run.
But once we found our audience in syndication, the ratings skyrocketed. And that demonstrated that there was indeed an audience for science fiction. It gave birth to other science fiction.
DB: Has the sci-fi audience changed between “Star Trek” and “Heroes”?
GT: The audience today is much more sophisticated. And the audience is not only bigger because of TV viewing, but (because) episodes can immediately be seen on the computer.
Our audience is global because people can see the Webcast version internationally. So what would be seen as science-fiction access during the time of “Star Trek” is today completely a reality. You have science-fiction access to a global audience without limitation: “Heroes” any time you want.
