George Takei: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

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

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

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

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

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.

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

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Gary Numan British musician

Now. I enjoy what I do for a living, the children are here and I am still happily married after 25 years.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 29 July 2017 source ↗

Donald Sutherland Canadian actor

When I was less well informed.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 March 2012 source ↗

Rebecca Front English actress, writer and comedian

Last night, having dinner with the family round the kitchen table.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 11 July 2015 source ↗

Simon Le Bon English singer

I was very happy to be alive when I surfaced after my yacht, Drum, capsized in the Fastnet Race in 1985. I was in an air pocket for 40 minutes, and had to take off my long johns to be able to surface.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 12 September 2015 source ↗

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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 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 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 What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Impatience and temper. Enough already!

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

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 What does happiness look like for you when life is going well? Identity & self

I don’t know about perfect, but a creamy scoop of green-tea ice cream comes fairly close.

Recorded The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, 30 October 2015 source ↗

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