If you’ve spent any time on the internet in the last decade, you’ve probably seen a meme, a witty political take, or a booming "Oh Myyy!" from George Takei. He’s basically the grandfather of the digital age, but he’s got more energy than most people in their thirties. Honestly, it’s a bit jarring. You see him at a convention or on a late-night talk show and he looks... well, exactly like he did twenty years ago. It’s no wonder that "how old is George Takei" is one of those questions that keeps popping up in search bars every few months.
He’s a survivor.
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The man has lived through some of the darkest chapters of American history and some of the most glittery eras of Hollywood. He doesn't just "exist" at his age; he dominates.
How Old Is George Takei Right Now?
Let’s get the numbers out of the way first. George Takei was born on April 20, 1937. As of today, in early 2026, George Takei is 88 years old. He’ll be hitting the big 8-9 this April.
Think about that for a second.
When George was born, Franklin D. Roosevelt was in the White House. The Golden Gate Bridge hadn't even opened yet. His father named him George after King George VI, whose coronation happened just weeks after he was born. He’s lived through World War II, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, the space race he helped popularize, and the entire birth of the digital world.
Most 88-year-olds are slowing down. George is out here leading Banned Books Week and writing graphic memoirs. He recently served as the Honorary Chair for Banned Books Week 2025, which tells you everything you need to know about his current pace.
He’s not just "still around." He’s still the loudest voice in the room.
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The Secret to Staying Young at 88
People always ask how he does it. Is it the green tea? The California sun?
He’s actually pretty open about his routine. It’s sort of legendary in Hollywood circles. George does 100 push-ups every single morning. Every. Single. Morning. At 88. He’s been quoted saying that as you age, your muscles naturally atrophy, so strength training isn't just a hobby—it’s a necessity.
He also does 50 sit-ups. He admits to his doctor that he still worries about a little "belly fat," which is kind of hilarious given that he’s nearly 90 and probably fitter than most of us.
- The Diet: He calls himself a "fish and fowl" person. Lots of vegetables. Lots of fruit.
- The Drink: Very little alcohol and a whole lot of green tea for those antioxidants.
- The Mindset: He stays curious.
He once went on a zero-gravity flight at age 79. Most people that age are worried about a trip to the grocery store, and George is floating in a fuselage trying to experience weightlessness. He says it was "liberating and joyful," though he’s realistic enough to admit that actually going to space now is probably off the table because of the "pops in his joints."
A Life Measured in Eras
To understand how old George Takei is, you have to look at the "lives" he’s lived. He doesn't have one career; he has about four.
First, there was the childhood in the internment camps. He was just five years old when his family was forced from their home and sent to Rowher, Arkansas, and later Tule Lake. He spent years of his youth behind barbed wire. That kind of experience either breaks you or gives you a level of perspective that makes "getting old" seem like a piece of cake.
Then came the Star Trek era. In 1966, he became Hikaru Sulu. At the time, seeing an Asian man in a position of authority on TV—not as a servant or a caricature—was revolutionary. He was 29 years old when the show started.
Then there’s the "Social Media King" era. This is where the younger generation knows him. After coming out as gay in 2005 at the age of 68, George found a brand-new voice. He used Facebook and Twitter (now X) to share jokes, advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and talk about his experience during the war. He didn't just join the internet; he mastered it.
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Why His Age Matters in 2026
There’s a reason we’re still talking about him. It’s not just a "death watch" or celebrity trivia. George Takei represents a bridge.
He is one of the last few people who can talk about the Japanese American internment from personal memory. He’s a living witness. In 2024, he released a children's book called My Lost Freedom, and in 2025, he followed up his hit graphic novel They Called Us Enemy with a new memoir titled It Rhymes With Takei.
He’s using his 88th year to make sure people don't forget the 1940s.
He also addresses ageism in the gay community with a lot of grace. He’s joked about how, when he was young, he had a bit of an attitude toward older people. Now, he says he has the "vanity to try to maintain my desirability." It’s that honesty—that "kinda" blunt, "sorta" cheeky way of speaking—that keeps him relevant.
The Takei Legacy
So, if you’re wondering how George Takei is still this active at 88, it’s because he feels he has work to do. He’s busy. He lives in Los Angeles with his husband, Brad Altman, whom he’s been with for nearly 40 years (they officially married in 2008).
He’s not a relic of the 1960s. He’s a participant in the 2020s.
Whether he's talking about the drought in California, the importance of democracy, or just doing his morning push-ups, he’s proving that age is less about the number on your birth certificate and more about how much you still care about the world around you.
What You Can Do Next
If you want to keep up with George, the best way is to actually engage with his work rather than just checking his age.
- Read his memoirs: They Called Us Enemy is a masterpiece of historical storytelling.
- Support his causes: He’s a massive supporter of the Japanese American National Museum in LA.
- Stay active: Maybe start with ten push-ups instead of George’s hundred.
- Follow his socials: He’s still one of the best follows on any platform for a mix of activism and "dad jokes."
George Takei isn't just an old actor. He's a reminder that you can keep "boldly going" well into your eighties.