[from Spangle]George Takei was gathered around the copier one morning decades ago, chatting with Walter Koenig (he of the thick, sorta-Eastern European-accented Mr. Chekov), when Koenig started making head gestures, urging him to turn around. Puzzled, he followed his co-star’s lead, pivoting around to discover the production’s extras, fully costumed and standing around before the next take.

“And one was stunningly gorgeous, in a tight Star Trek shirt that clung to his pectorals,” Takei says. “… And that’s when I knew Walter ‘knew’ and was helping me out.”

Supportive co-stars have marked Takei’s career (Koenig and good friend Nichelle Nichols — Uhura — stood up for him at his wedding), but in the late-‘50s and ‘60s, being out wasn’t an option.

“When I was starting out as a professional actor, you’d go to an interview and there were a dozen other people who physically qualified for the part: They’re all Asian,” the 72-year-old actor says. “But when you have everything equal … they find reasons to reject you. Too tall, too short, too fat, too skinny, too young, too old. And you want to get the part, and you don’t want to have another ‘too this’ or ‘too that.’ So you hid that you’re gay. You essentially live a double life.”

He took female friends to parties and premieres. But with a regular gig on a TV series — Star Trek — he found himself working daily with the same people, whom he was getting to know and become comfortable around.

“You bring your boyfriend, but you just introduce him as your friend,” Takei explains. “But the week after, you bring him again. And Hollywood people are sophisticated, so they get it. [They say:] ‘Oh George! I get it!’”

After rumors regarding an actor at TVB who sexually harassed actresses subsided, recently tabloids have alleged that former Mr. Hong Kong contestants were offered vast sums of money in exchange for time spent with rich ladies.

Rumored to be one of the “gigolos,” Mr. Hong Kong 2005 contestant, Byron Pang Koon Kei, recently filmed a nude scene in a gay movie. Byron was also linked previously in a gay relationship with Bowie Lam.

However, as one of the alleged “gigolos,” Byron has no wealth. In his new movie, 《安 非 他 命 》, Pang has to jump nude from a building. Aside from the presence of the cast and crew, there were numerous photographers present who took photos of the nude Byron.

Byron denied that he was one of the Mr. Hong Kong contestants who sold himself to rich ladies. “Do you think a gigolo has to risk his life” [by filming such dangerous scenes in the movie]?

Byron and Matthew Ko both participated in the 2005 Mr. Hong Kong competition. While fingers have pointed to Byron as being a gigolo, Matthew said, “When I was competing in the Mr. Hong Kong competition, people have said it was like a ‘duck’ (gigolo) competition…. I want to know what my market price is.”

Covered with silver body paint and tattoos, the martial-arts skilled Byron lost ten pounds for the role. What was his nude scene about? “My character over dosed on drugs and fantasized about being a bird. Thus he jumped off the roof top of a building.” Byron broke his thumb in an earlier car-racing scene. In the roof top jumping scene, it took five takes before the Director, Wan Cheung, was satisfied.

On March 13, 2009, Director Wan Cheung took Bryon and Osman from EO2 to promote Taiwanese film, 《永 久 居 留 》at one of Taiwan’s top gay bars, Funky. When Byron left, he gave out white roses to all the men present and was unafraid of rampant gay rumors. Furthermore, Byron shot an all nude pictorial to promote the film earlier.

When Bowie Lam’s mother passed away in 2008, Byron attended the funeral. Byron burned incense papers for Bowie’s mother and assisted with the funeral arrangements. When reporters showed Bowie photos of Byron filming nude in his latest movie, Bowie said, “I have not been in contact with Byron for a long time. I will not respond to any questions regarding him.”

Bryon said that TVB tried to contact him two months ago. “TVB asked me to discuss further collaborations with them. I said I was busy filming a movie. TVB asked many questions [about what I was doing, afraid of the implications this would bring to the company].”

When asked if Director Wan Cheung was providing financially for Byron, he said, “If that were true, then I would not endanger Bryon’s safety by placing him in dangerous filming situations. I would ask him to go out on a date and dinner instead!”

When tabloids revealed that former Mr. Hong Kong contestant(s) were selling themselves to rich ladies, it has become the hot topic of Hong Kong socialites. Bok Wan Kam commented, “I have not heard about Mr. Hong Kong contestants acting as gigolos. But ten years ago, there were several supporting actors who were dating wealthy socialites. However, I don’t know the identities of those men. Rich ladies also date fitness trainers and dance instructors, as they often have physical contact in their classes.”

Chan Sai Kit said, “Everyone is guessing who the Mr. Hong Kong gigolo is. Usually wealthy socialites prefer actors who are not well known, which would attract less media attention. Usually they would meet at a public function and then go on private dates afterwards.”

Chiu Kam Hing [formerly dated ATV and TVB actor Yan Chi Keung]: “Aside from many Mr. Hong Kong contestants wanting to get to know me, I also wish to do the same. It would be more convenient to get to know them better, since I often invite them to my functions. However, I have not heard about any gigolo incidents.”

Reporters showed nude photos of Byron Pang to TVB executive, Stephen Chan. Stephen requested reporters to put the photos away. “I will not respond nor will I see the photos/movie. Bryon is no longer part of TVB. Whatever projects he pursues is his business.”