Fact-check analysisVerified as of August 26, 2026Curated by FactVerify
True

George Takei starred in the only episode of "The Twilight Zone" that was banned from syndication.

George Takei did star in “The Encounter,” the only Twilight Zone episode widely identified as having been withheld from the show’s syndication package, although the restriction was later lifted.

2 Years Before Star Trek, George Takei Starred in a Controversial Twilight Zone Episode That Was Banned in the US

2 Years Before Star Trek, George Takei Starred in a Controversial Twilight Zone Episode That Was Banned in the US

Source: cbr.com

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified August 26, 2026
  • “The Encounter,” which originally aired in 1964, starred George Takei alongside Neville Brand.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

George Takei starred as Arthur in “The Encounter,” a 1964 episode of The Twilight Zone featuring Neville Brand. The episode was removed from syndication after criticism of its portrayal of Japanese Americans, and multiple accounts describe it as the series’ only episode to be pulled from regular syndication because of controversial content.cbr.comcbr.com2 Years Before Star Trek, George Takei Starred in a Controversial Twilight Zone...grunge.comgrunge.comWhy George Takei's Twilight Zone Episode Was Once Withheld From Syndication+3 more

Primary trail

Verified Sources10

2 Years Before Star Trek, George Takei Starred in a Controversial Twilight Zone...

cbr.com8/7/2025
Open source

Before They Were Stars: George Takei on a Banned Episode of “The Twilight Zone”

the-back-row.com
Open source

Why an Episode of 'The Twilight Zone' Was Banned From Syndication for Over 50...

thevintagenews.com8/2/2023
Open source
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