George Takei Is a Heroes Dad

NBC has invested in the superhero craze with its new series "Heroes," and their gamble seems to be paying off since the show got off to a strong start at the beginning of the season and has gained some rolling momentum, despite mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Ali Larter ("American Outlaws" and the "House on Haunted Hill" remake) and Milo Ventimiglia ("Gilmore Girls" and "The Bedford Diaries") are just two of the names assembled for this new world of seemingly ordinary people who turn out to have extraordinary powers.

Masi Oka is one of the show’s talented actors. Oka has repeatedly appeared on the NBC sitcom "Scrubs" as Franklyn, and among his many one-episode parts over the years, back in 2001, he was on an episode of "Gilmore Girls." As a regular on "Heroes," his character Hiro (short for Hiroshima) Nakamura leaps through time and has been one of the best-received characters on the series. Hiro can even claim the show’s most quoted and memorable line; "Save the cheerleader, save the world." Well, Hiro is about to become known for something else as well.

In the ultimate irony the creators could concoct, mega sci-fi and Star Trek fan Hiro will be able to boast Sulu as his father, or George Takei, that is. Takei will be coming on board to play Hiro’s Dad. Oka is as excited as Hiro would want him to be. From the November 27th issue of TV Guide, their website quoted the young actor as saying, "This is absolutely brilliant! I just hope I get to say, 'Dad! Sulu is my hero, not you!'" This sounds like a great way for "Heroes" to explore new frontiers of ingenuity.