The famous Japanese singer, actor, and martial artist Masaaki Sakai took birth on August 6, 1946, as Masaaki Kurihara. The popular television show Monkey became his great source of fame among English-speaking Audiences. His father’s name was Shunhji Sakai, who was known as a famous comedian in Japan. Initially, Sakai got fame by fronting the group sounds band “The Spiders.” This group was founded in 1962 and enjoyed popularity throughout the 1960s by bringing up different hit songs and thirteen situation comedy films featuring their music.
As of 2024, Masaaki Kurihara's net worth is estimated to be $3 million.
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Given Name | Masaaki Sakai |
| Famous Name | Masaaki Kurihara |
| Source(s) of Fame | Actor, Singer |
| Age | 78 |
| Date of Birth | August 6, 1946 |
| Place of Birth | Setagaya city of Tokyo, Japan |
| Height | 5'5" |
| Relationships | Married, Miri Okada, |
In 1955, Masaaki shifted from Gyosei Primary school to St, Michael’s School. He entered Kamakura Gakuen middle school in 1959. At the age of 6, his first screen appearance came in “Shochiku’s Tokyo Kishidan,” using his stage nameMasaaki Sakai. This popular actor joined the television industry after completing his formal education.
Alternatively known as Spider Bam Bam Bam, the famous comedian Masaaki Sakai served to Japanese film and drama industry on a considerable scale. Some of his famous movies include; The Castle of Crossed Destinies (2012), Beautiful world (2012), and Hardest Night (2005). The renowned drama list includes Awaiting Kirin (2020), Sarutobi Sansei (2012), and impossible love (2008). There is a huge list of drama series and movies showing the leading role of this great man.
The title “Role of Son Goku” was given to Sakai in the 1970s in a Japanese TV Programme “Saiyuki.” It became the most significant source of his fame among the different English-speaking countries in early 1980. The outstanding performance of Sakai as Songoku made him create a dance named “The Monkey,” which appeared as a craze in Japan. Before getting into Monkey Dance performance, Sakai learned the significant art of staff called Bojustu for the period of two years. After the Spiders group disbanded, Sakai started his successful career and continued acting in films on television.
Later in 1999, he successfully created the new band accompanying two former spiders, Hiroshi Kamayatsu and Takayuki Inoue, and released its first album named “Yei Yei” in 2000. He is known in Japan as a car enthusiast and regularly takes part in the annual Mille Miglia race in Italy and keeps his wife with him as a co-driver.
Keeping his interest in car racing, he won a Japanese Road Race on October 18, 2000, by driving “Cisitalia 202 MM” with Inoue Takayuki’s co-driver. His pending business commitments made him quit car racing in 2002. Thus, he gave up his famous Alfa Romeo race car to the renowned race enthusiast and singer “Masahiko Kondo.”
Shunji Sakai is father of Masaaki Sakai who was also a famous Actor. Masaaki Sakai married Miri Okada, and they have one kid named Koharu, who is 27 years old. However, he is still alive and living happily with his family.
Most parts of Masaaki Sakai’s earnings covered Yeezy Sneakers along with the established business and professional work as a well-known celebrity. He has a whopping net worth ranging from $3 million to $5million based on his social media networking and acting.
Masaaki Sakai is one of the famous TV Stars who served the industry with their outstanding performances. This TV star did services not only for the Japanese TV industry but also worked for the Australian industry. In 2000, Masaaki helped the Australian industry regarding the promotion of Australian Monkey Video through his interview. More than that, his role as a martial artist has been outstanding. No matter if it is the art industry, television industry, or social media industry; the best services records will always remember Masaaki Sakai. All these associations made him achieve a net worth of the range of $5million even today.
Masaaki Kurihara has sometimes been associated with other Actors such as Aarthi Agarwal, Guy Ecker, Thomas Ian Griffith, Willard E Pugh, David Caves, Patti Deutsch, Kim Yeo Jin, Kimber Riddle, and Lorenzo De Rodas.