George Takei Receives Apology From Facebook Ghostwriter
Approximately 4.18 million people follow George Takei on Facebook and enjoy his humor. However, it was recently revealed that Takei has a ghostwriter who often handles the account and posts the jokes that have made him so popular online.
"The power of George is unbelievable," comedy writer Rick Polito said in an interview. "His fans are a viral army. He may not be a stockholder, but he owns Facebook."
Polito's revelation caused shock among Takei's fans, who fully believed that the actor was solely responsible for running his own Facebook account and coming up with clever quips. Takei responded with an email to Wired magazine.
"What is this hoo-ha about my FB posts? I have Brad, my husband, to help me and interns to assist. What is important is the reliability of my posts being there to greet my fans with a smile or a giggle every morning. That's how we keep on growing," Takei wrote.
Polito then issued an apology to Takei and his husband, Brad Altman.
"I just said that I'd been looking for any mention of my book I could get and that I hadn't meant to expose anything. I don't update his page. I've had no direct contact with George. I've sent him some memes, as have other comedian types, and I was happy for the exposure," Polito said.
Takei has a huge online following, but the "Star Trek" star has always been popular with fans. At the age of 76, he still continues to appear at "Star Trek" conventions and regularly guest stars on popular TV shows.
Many are taking the revelation in stride and making their own jokes about Polito's statement.
"George Takei's Facebook page has a ghostwriter… Shocked. Next you are going to tell me Grumpy Cat doesn't actually say those things," Brent Smith tweeted.
"Is this a shocker? George Takei Uses Ghostwriters," added 1701 News.
