Born on April 20, 1937, he is an American actor, author, and activist, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu in the original "Star Trek" series. He was interned in Japanese-American internment camps during World War II, an experience that shaped his later advocacy for social justice and LGBTQ+ rights. He studied architecture at UC Berkeley before switching to acting, earning a degree from UCLA. He has since become a prominent public figure, leveraging his platform for activism.