Actor, Social Justice Activist George Takei to Give Bucknell Forum Talk Jan. 28

Pioneering actor and social justice activist George Takei will be the next guest in the Bucknell Forum speaker series on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts, where he will discuss this year's "World in Transition" theme. Presented in partnership with the University's MLK Week, Takei's talk is free and open to the public, although tickets are required (see details below).

Takei is the third nationally renowned speaker participating in this year's Bucknell Forum — a speaker series that since 2007 has featured national leaders, scholars and commentators who have examined various issues from multidisciplinary and diverse viewpoints.

About Takei
Takei is a civil rights leader, social media star, Grammy-nominated artist, bestselling author and pioneering actor, best known as Hikaru Sulu in the Star Trek TV/movie series. Beyond his iconic role, his six-decade career reflects a life of resilience, activism and advocacy.

During his public talks, Takei shares his family’s experiences during World War II when they were forcibly interned as Japanese Americans, a dark chapter of U.S. history he illuminates with eloquence and wit. He inspires audiences with his journey from these humble beginnings to becoming a sci-fi icon and a global advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.

Takei's diverse career spans over 40 films and hundreds of TV appearances. His acting credits include co-starring in five Star Trek movies and appearances on such TV series as Fresh Off the Boat, Supah Ninjas, Hawaii Five-0, The New Normal, The Big Bang Theory, Heroes, Psych, Will & Grace, Miami Vice, MacGyver, The Six Million Dollar Man, Mission: Impossible and The Twilight Zone, among numerous others.

He has also done voiceover work for hundreds of video games, commercials, films and TV series. His voice has brought life to beloved characters in The Simpsons, Mulan and Avatar: The Last Airbender. His narration work, including The National Parks: America's Best Idea, earned him a Grammy nomination.

In 2015, Takei made his Broadway debut in Allegiance, a musical inspired by his internment experiences. He also starred in a revival of Stephen Sondheim's Pacific Overtures. His graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, became a New York Times bestseller, highlighting the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during WWII.

Takei uses his massive social media following — over 10 million on Facebook and 3 million on X/Twitter — to share humor, news and commentary on politics and culture. Mashable named him the most influential person on Facebook.

Takei has received numerous accolades, including Japan's Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his contributions to U.S.-Japanese relations. He serves as chairman emeritus of the Japanese American National Museum and has held leadership roles in the Human Rights Campaign and the Japanese American Citizens League.

Event Information
All Bucknell Forum events are free and open to the public, although tickets are required. Current Bucknell students and employees may receive up to two free tickets at any campus box office location or online between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. one day prior to the event. A valid Bucknell University ID is required to receive advance tickets. Using multiple Bucknell IDs to pick up additional sets of tickets is prohibited.

Remaining tickets will be available for the general public at the Weis Center box office beginning at 6 p.m. on the day of the event. All individuals may receive up to two free tickets, depending on availability.

An ASL interpreter will be signing at the event for the deaf community. Attendees who need this service should contact sebright@bucknell.edu for seating arrangements.

Questions regarding this event may be directed to the Division of Marketing & Communications at 570-577-3260 or theforum@bucknell.edu.

Remaining Bucknell Forum Speaker
The next Bucknell Forum speaker will be entrepreneur, investor and renowned ABC Shark Tank panelist Kevin O'Leary on Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center for the Performing Arts.