Senior Planet talks to....George Takei - Senior Planet from AARP

Senior Planet talks to Star Trek icon and outspoken LGBTQ+ activist George Takei about his life, his career and his new graphic memoir, It Rhymes with Takei.From his early childhood in Japanese-American internment camps in WWII through to success on stage and screen, to belatedly coming out aged 68, and his marriage to long-time partner Brad Altman George Takei, 88, shares his inspiring and heartwarming journey.with Senior Planet:Q: The world of showbiz used to be hostile toward gays so it took you a long time to come out.How did it feel then for you and Brad to have President Obama welcome you into the White House in the year following your 2008 marriage?GEORGE: It was something I could never dream, first of all that Id be going to a state dinner and to be going there with my newly married husband.

And theres a loudspeaker that announces the couple approaching the President and the First Lady.And it said: Mr.George Takei and Mr.

Brad Takei.And I think thats probably the first time that a gay couple was introduced at that time.Q: Whats the secret to your long happy marriage?GEORGE: I think being complimentary.Brad is very organized and orderly.

He starts preparation early on, particularly because we travel a lot and I am disorganized.So when we travel which we do a lot all I have to do is get up, get dressed, and Brad has all the packing done.And then were off.

So opposites connect well.Q: How did you meet Brad?GEORGE: Brad and I used to run a lot as part of The Front Runners running club in Los Angeles.Brad had two marathons under his belt, and so I asked him to train me for my first marathon, and he did.And over the course of those three months that he trained me, things happened, and we became a couple.Q: Do you still run now?GEORGE: I have foot problems now as a result of all that running, and Ive had a couple of surgeries, and another surgery coming up in September.

I use a cane now just to walk, and I come back from our walks exhausted.Time is taking its toll.Q: What do you do for diet and nutrition?GEORGE: We watch what we eat.We used to love wine with dinner but our doctor said: Wine will age you, and it could lead to other problems.

Even one glass of wine could lead to a problem, and so we are non drinkers now, except for very special occasions, we may have a little bit of champagne.So non drinking, eating a good diet.I avoid red meat, but I give myself an occasional treat, a filet minion, and mostly seafood with fruits and vegetables.Q: And you had a special celebration for your 88th birthday this year on April 20?GEORGE: Yes the Japanese culture makes a big thing of turning 88 its called Beiju.

They say that at 88 one enters ones second childhood, and you can have free license be as childish as you want from then on.And so at my 88th birthday party, Brad ordered a golden happi coat from Japan its a short, loose kimono top with a Japanese sleeve and also a silly golden bonnet.So Ive now entered my second childhood after going through the Beiju ritual which is pronounced just like my surname, Be jay.Q: After decades playing Sulu on Star Trek, what is the truth about your relationship with William Shatner?GEORGE: We did have a wonderful family working together the infinite diversity and infinite combinations.

And Bill is a very talented actor, a very inventive actor, but hes also got the ego of a self-centered actor, and it makes it hard to work with a group, and a smart actor knows that its the bouncing off of each other the give and take is where the real acting is, and he doesnt believe in that.Hes got to be the Captain.Q: Youve achieved so much, is the anything left on your bucket list?GEORGE: I do want to play Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.Ive been suggesting to the East West Players, but they better hurry up and do it, because Im rapidly aging.

But I think having an Asian Willy Loman would add another dimension to Arthur Millers story even the surname of that family, Loman, could be an Asian name, Lo-man!Q: Any advice for fellow seniors?GEORGE: Think positively, take care of yourself, watch your diet, watch your drinking habits ideally eliminate alcohol and stay happy.If you do that, youll live long and prosper.Q: What is your secret to aging with attitude?GEORGE: Always be optimistic.Optimism keeps things going and keeps you going as well.

Being a pessimist is dangerous, because pessimism ensures failure and things not going well.Being an optimist means things happen, and youre doing something, youre making things happen.I found that optimism is a wonderful way to face every challenge, just saying: Oh, I can do it.

I can surpass it.Georges graphic memoir, It Rhymes With Takei, is available now at booksellers nationwide and digital retailers.Photo credit: Christopher AppoldtGill Pringle began her career as a rock columnist for popular British newspapers, traveling the world with Madonna, U2 and Michael Jackson.Moving to Los Angeles 27 years ago, she interviews film and TV personalities for prestigious UK outlets, The Independent, The i-paper and The Sunday Times and, of course, Senior Planet.A member of Critics Choice Association, BAFTA and AWFJ, she wrote the screenplay for 2016 Netflix family film, The 3 Tails Movie: A Mermaid Adventure.

An award-winning writer, in 2021 she was honored by the Los Angeles Press Club with 1st prize at the NAEJ Awards.