Brad Altman: More about George Takei’s Husband & Their Relationship They Kept Hidden for 2 Decades

Brad Altman married his husband, George Takei, in 2008. The couple, who have been together for over 30 years, kept their relationship a secret for the first two decades. Even before people knew who he was, Brad Altman was supportive of his husband's career.

George Takei's birth name is Hosato, born to Japanese parents in Los Angeles on April 20, 1937. He switched from studying architecture to theatre arts and made his movie debut in 1960 in "Ice Palace."

The community activist appeared as Mr. Hikaru Sulu in the second "Star Trek: The Original Series" in 1966. The actor was the youngest cast member and became a recurring character in the series.

Who Is Brad Altman?

Brad Altman is an actor and producer born in the US on February 25, 1954. In 2004, he was a management representative in "Star Trek Phase II" before starring as an audience member in "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!"

He also starred in one episode of "Whatever, the Series" and is the executive producer for "Takei's Take." While the world knows him as Brad, his husband gave him the nickname "Bradder."

Besides acting and producing, he has been appreciated in movies and series like "Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank," "Independent Lens," "Tab Hunter Confidential," "Bridegroom," "Vito," and more.

On his Twitter bio, Brad described himself as the official keeper of his husband. He wrote:

"Official keeper of The Way of the Takei & the luckiest guy in the world, because my job is to manage the career of the wonderful @GeorgeTakei."

Before becoming a business manager in his husband's business, Brad was a financial journalist. He preferred to remain behind the scenes while helping George do the bookkeeping and reviewing contracts.

While George is the public face, Brad takes care of their home. He also revealed that he does not like George to do the housework because the "Star Trek" actor is better at talking and is lousy with chores.

However, George does not see it that way. He believes that Brad always insists on doing the work. In an interview with Howard Stern, George said:

"He insists on doing it. He's very possessive and controlling and dictatorial."

Brad Altman and George Takei's Story

Brad and George first met in the 1980s when they joined the same gay running club, LA Frontrunners. They were mutually attracted to each other, but the "Star Trek" actor made the first move.

George had asked Brad to train him for his first marathon, and they became partners in no time. Brad started by taking care of some of George's public relations, press releases, and more.

Although they began living together, they both decided it was best to remain closeted about their sexuality and relationship for professional reasons.

George Takei's Coming Out and Getting Married

In September 2005, Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, and the next month, George came out publicly about his relationship with Brad.

According to him, times had changed from when he was young and felt ashamed for being gay, and the political issues of gay marriage then would have been unthinkable.

Despite coming out, the couple had to wait for another three years before they could make their relationship legally official. However, things changed after the California Supreme Court lifted its ban on gay marriages.

When the couple heard the news over lunch, they were excited. In that excitement, Brad went down on his knees and asked George to marry him. Even though George said yes, he revealed that Brad beat him to it.

One month after the proposal, Brad and George, who were beyond delighted, obtained a marriage license and married on September 14, 2008, two decades after they first met.

Their wedding happened at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles with their family and friends in attendance. It was a multicultural ceremony; they had Walter Koenig as the best man and Nichelle Nichols as the best lady.

In keeping with the multicultural theme, they had the Japanese koto harp and bagpipes, there was a Buddhist priest, and their wedding bands were Native American.

They also served Asian/Baja Californian fusion cuisine while not missing out on the Japanese tea-ceremony treats as George vowed to care for Brad as Brad had cared for him and to love him as his husband and the only man in his life.

Before the wedding, the couple had argued over their surnames. George wanted them to hyphenate their last name, but Brad would not, as he wanted to become a Takei and legally changed his name after the wedding.

While they were younger, the couple wanted children, but because they were not married, they could not offer any security to a child. When their relationship became legal, they felt too old to become dads.

Brad Altman and George Takei's Secret to Their Long Relationship

The couple, who have been together for almost four decades, have shown their unquestionable love for one another. When asked the secret to their successful long relationship, George said:

"We truly are a team — me as the actor, writer, activist, and Brad as the manager, scheduler, and all-around essential guy. And we love being able to share our lives and our livelihood."

Brad once revealed that they always cared for each other as their relationship was unique. Despite George's capacity to complain about everything, according to Brad, they know how to have a good laugh.