Actor and activist George Takei and his husband, Brad Takei, have pledged their estate, valued at more than $21 million, to the Japanese American National Museum. The announcement was made Thursday by museum officials.
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) will become the sole beneficiary of the Takeis’ estate. In recognition of this substantial gift, a new 9,200-square-foot gallery will be named for the couple within JANM’s core exhibition, titled “In the Future We Call Now: Realities of Racism, Forging Democracy.”
George Takei, known to many for his portrayal of Hikaru Sulu in the “Star Trek” franchise, has a long history with JANM, stretching back to its founding in 1985. He served as a founding trustee and chaired its Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2004. He continues to contribute as a current board member.
His personal connection to the museum's mission is deeply rooted in his own family’s history. As a child during World War II, Takei and his family were incarcerated, first at the Rohwer concentration camp in Arkansas, and later at the Tule Lake Segregation Center in California. These experiences are recounted in his graphic memoir, “They Called Us Enemy,” and his children’s book, “My Lost Freedom.”
Takei underscored the importance of the museum, stating that JANM embodies the resilience of humanity through the experiences of Japanese Americans across generations. He expressed the couple's desire for their gift to ensure the museum remains a vital place for the community to learn, reflect, and find inspiration to work toward a more just future. Takei also noted that the museum has illuminated the connections between history, democracy, and social justice for over four decades, emphasizing that no child should endure the trauma of racially motivated discrimination or incarceration, as many Japanese Americans were forced to during WWII. He believes their gift will strengthen JANM’s mission and its voice for all Americans.
The Takeis' financial contributions to JANM are extensive; including this pledged estate gift, they have given a total of $22.5 million to the museum since 1989, according to museum records.
In 2017, George Takei also donated his personal collection to JANM. This significant collection spans more than 175 linear feet and includes a wide array of artifacts, photographs, correspondence, scripts, awards, campaign materials, and other items from his life and career.
Ann Burroughs, President and CEO of JANM, described it as an honor for the museum to be the sole beneficiary of the Takei estate. She credited George’s and Brad’s commitment to the museum’s mission and their “iconic leadership in tackling the toughest civil rights issues in our country” as a continuous source of inspiration for the museum's daily work.
Currently, JANM’s Pavilion is closed for renovations. It is scheduled to reopen to the public on January 23, 2027. The renovated museum will feature the new core exhibition, “In the Future We Call Now,” which will include interactive StoryFiles. These files will showcase Takei and other Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II, sharing their experiences directly with visitors. The exhibition will also incorporate several images from the George Takei Collection, including a photograph of Takei with his kindergarten class at Rohwer and an image of George and Brad Takei’s wedding, which took place at JANM.