Star Trek’s George Takei (Hikaru Sulu) is to wed long-time partner Brad Altman after California lifted its ban on same-sex marriage.  

The 71-year old actor, who also appeared in Heroes last year, said,

“We can have the dignity, as well as all the responsibilities, of marriage. We embrace it all heartily.”

Takei has been with partner Altman, 54, for twenty-one years, and Takei spoke of Altman’s care during the final years of his mother’s life.

“He helped me care for my ailing mother who lived with us for the last years of her life. He is my love and I can’t imagine life without him.”

Takei is the latest celebrity to announce a gay marriage after California’s Supreme Court said the “right to form a family relationship” applied to all Californians, regardless of sexuality, earlier this week.