George Takei Hits the Boardroom in NBC’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice’

Photo: Mitchell Haaseth/NBC

Actor George Takei is one of 18 celebrities competing for the top prize on Donald Trump's "Celebrity Apprentice."

Actor George Takei is competing in the fifth season of “Celebrity Apprentice” in the hopes of winning $250,000 for the Japanese American National Museum.

By Nalea J. Ko, Reporter
January 20, 2012

There’s only one thing that could lure actor George Takei into Donald Trump’s boardroom to compete on “The Celebrity Apprentice” against fellow celebs: charity.

Eighteen celebrities, including Takei, are vying to win $250,000 for a charity of their choice on season five of the NBC show. The male contestants are pitted against the female cast members in the premiere of “The Celebrity Apprentice” on Feb. 12.

If Takei avoids being fired by Trump, he will give his winnings to the Japanese American National Museum, or JANM.

“I’m a former chairman of the board of the Japanese American National Museum and currently a trustee. I’ve been on the board of trustees for practically the entire existence of the museum. And that’s an institution that’s very near and dear to my heart,” said Takei in his signature baritone voice. “Every opportunity I get to raise money for the museum, I do.”

Takei serves as chairman emeritus of the board of trustees and has supported the museum since before 1992 when it opened to the public. In the past Takei has also donated his TV game show prize winnings to the museum, so it’s no surprise to those with JANM that the actor would do so again.

“The Japanese American National Museum is extremely honored to be George Takei’s chosen charity for ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’” said Chris Komai, JANM public information officer. “He has always set a fine example as a community activist with his hands-on involvement.”

To win the show, Takei will have to use his business acumen to take on a slew of celebs including Adam Carolla, Arsenio Hall, Aubrey O’Day, Cheryl Tiegs, Clay Aiken, Dayana Mendoza, Debbie Gibson, Dee Snider, Lisa Lampanelli, Lou Ferrigno, Michael Andretti, Patricia Velasquez, Paul Teutul, Sr., Penn Jillette, Teresa Giudice, Tia Carrere and Victoria Gotti.

Before being cast on the show, Takei knew little of his fellow cast mates, aside from comedienne Lisa Lampanelli, who he had worked with on the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner.

Although Takei says he didn’t know of some reality TV stars like “The Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice — who is known for overturning a table on TV — gossip about her reputation swirled on set when filming began.

“When I got on the show I was told about it, that she upturns tables and she’s rather hysterical,” Takei said about the New Jersey reality TV star. “But I found her in fact to be actually somewhat shy, which is a strange word to use to describe someone who has that kind of reputation.”

Working alongside so many outspoken personalities, Takei’s position on the team was to crack the whip and keep a few of the “rigid individualistic” celebs on task.

“We have a lot of chefs,” Takei said with a laugh about his fellow cast members. “But there’s someone that needs to be doing the cooking as well. There’s got to be that whip cracker to remind people that, ‘Yes, talking is fine. Planning is fine. Being brilliant is fine, but the work needs to get done.’”

Celebs like magician Penn Jillette naturally fell into a leadership role, said Takei. Known more for his role as Sulu on “Star Trek,” Takei’s background is also in real estate.