George Takei: Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

The question

Who deserves an apology from you, and for what?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

As a teenager I told my father, “You led us into the camp like sheep to slaughter.” I knew I had hurt him, this man that I loved so much. That’s haunted me all my life.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

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Ralph Ineson English actor and narrator

My kids, for the jokes. Some of them are pretty bad.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 24 February 2018 source ↗

Charles Collingwood

My first wife – we were too young.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 March 2025 source ↗

Jessica Brown Findlay English actress

My younger self: I had no love for her and I was cruel and she never deserved it.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 March 2021 source ↗

Alice Eve British actress

To all my teachers – I’m sorry I thought class was a paying audience.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 April 2020 source ↗

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Question How close have you come to dying? Death & what remains

After the war, when I was about nine, we were held up in our home. The robbers grabbed my father and had a gun at his throat. It was terrifying. My mother got a wad of money and gave it to the people, and they ran away.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question Excluding property, what is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? Money & investment

I went overboard on the money I invested in the production of Allegiance. It did not return, but it was fulfilling that I was able to tell a story that’s dear.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question Who alive today do you admire most, and what draws you to them? Values & belief

Pope Francis, who left the Vatican to wash the feet of non-believers.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

Question What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? Time & hindsight

When Brad and I got married. We had to struggle for it. It involved a nationwide speaking tour, lobbying Congress and campaigning intensely. We were the first couple to get our marriage licence in West Hollywood.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

One great big artistic challenge.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 November 2019 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

There’s no point living at my age with many ingrained great fears. Though I do have that dream that I walk out onto the stage nude. Does that count?

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, October 2015 source ↗

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