George Takei Regrets Playing ‘Naughty Gay Grandpa’ During Howard Stern Interview

People have all done embarrassing things in the past that they would rather forget or do over, and “Star Trek” star George Takei is no exception.

However, the actor’s embarrassing encounter holds more weight now especially since he was accused of sexual assault by former male model Scott R. Brunton. It was in 1981 when the assault took place at Greg’s Blue Dot Bar. Brunton was 23 years old and Takei was 43.

Brunton was fresh from a break-up, and Takei was there to listen to his problems. But after having a few drinks, Brunton said Takei made his move. “The next thing I remember I was coming to and he had my pants down around my ankles and he was groping my crotch and trying to get my underwear off and feeling me up at the same time, trying to get his hands down my underwear,” Brunton told The Hollywood Reporter.

He tried to tell Takei off. When the actor refused to listen, Brunton said he stormed off. “I managed to get my pants up and compose myself and I was just shocked. I walked out and went to my car until I felt well enough to drive home, and that was that,” he said.

Takei has denied the accusations, and even said in a statement: “Non-consensual acts are so antithetical to my values and my practices.”

After Takei’s accusation surfaced, his caricature with radio host Howard Stern back in October became controversial, according to Entertainment Weekly. In it, they were talking about the Harvey Weinstein scandal, and Stern asked Takei if he ever groped anyone without consent.

Takei was silent for a few moments before saying, “Some people are kind of skittish, or maybe…afraid, and you’re trying to persuade.” When asked to explain further, Takei said his “behavior” did not occur at work. “It was either in my home [sic]. They came to my home.”

His comments upset a lot of people, so the actor issued an apology on Facebook on Monday. He apologized for playing the “naughty gay grandpa” bit, since it was “distasteful” and wrongfully “made fun out of a serious matter.”