Masaaki Sakai
Biography
Masaaki Sakai is a Japanese actor born on August 6, 1946. He is known for his work in the entertainment industry, particularly in acting. Sakai initially gained fame as the frontman of the group The Spiders, a popular music group formed in 1962. He later gained international recognition for his role in the Japanese TV program Saiyūki, which was dubbed and retitled Monkey by the BBC. This exposure led to the creation of a dance called "the Monkey," which became a craze in Japan. Sakai went on to have a successful solo career after The Spiders disbanded, with a total of 59 acting credits to his name.
Career overview
Masaaki Sakai is a Japanese actor known for his work in the entertainment industry. He initially gained fame as the frontman of the group The Spiders, which was formed in 1962. The group was popular throughout the 1960s and spawned several hit songs, as well as thirteen situation comedy films featuring their music.
Sakai's acting career also includes his portrayal of the title role in the 1970s Japanese TV program Saiyūki, which was later dubbed by the BBC and retitled Monkey. This role gained him international recognition, particularly in English-speaking countries in the early 1980s. The success of Saiyūki led to the creation of a dance called "the Monkey," which became a craze in Japan.
As a solo actor, Sakai has appeared in numerous films and television shows, with a total of 59 known credits. His acting career has spanned multiple decades, with a notable presence in Japanese entertainment since the 1960s.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
60 titles- Spirit World (2025) as Yuzo Nobusawa
- Kono Subarashiki Sekai (2023)
- Family Song (2012) Screenstory
- Family Song (2012) Producer
- The Castle of Crossed Destinies (2012)
- Beautiful World (2012) as Yuzo Tsutai
- Impossible Love (2008) as 타치키 쇼고
- ザッツ宴会テイメント (2008)
- Long Wedding Road! Tokyo vs. Osaka Wakeari Kon Monogatari (2007)
- The Fearless Otojiro's Company (2007)
- Yunagi City, Sakura Country (2007) as Asahi Ishikawa (Old)
- The Black Swindler (2006)
- A Hardest Night!! (2005) as Boss
- The Most Useful School in the World (2004)
- Locomotive Teacher (2004)
- Churasan (2001) as Kohagura Keibun
- Tokugawa Yoshinobu (1998)
- Best Friend (1995) as Kurosawa Michihiko
- Papa Survival (1995)
- Furuhata Ninzaburo (1994) as 中村右近
- The Notorious Bored Samurai 9 (1994) as Kinai
- Bored Hatamoto: Letter of Death (1993)
- バラ色の日々に (1990)
- The Notorious Bored Samurai 2 (1988) as Sasao Kinai
- Trinacria: Porsche 959 (1987)
- Final Take: The Golden Age of Movies (1986)
- Sayonara Sankaku Mata Kite Shikaku (1982)
- The TOP10 (1981)
- Tennō no Ryōriban (1980)
- Monkey (1978) as Monkey
- I Am A Man of Honor (1977)
- Machi no Hi (1974) as Chiyomatsu Sakanoshita
- Japan Beauty Story (1974)
- Toshigoro (1973) as Okabe
- 時間ですよ (1970) as 宮崎健
- 喜劇 右向けェ左！ (1970)
- Kigeki dokkiri dai tōsō (1970)
- The Tempters: Smile After Tears (1969)
- The Spiders' The Noisy Parade (1968) as Masaaki Sakai
- The Spiders' The Road to Bali (1968) as Masaaki Sakai
- The Spiders: Big Commotion! (1968)
- The Wonderful Ones (1968)
- The Age of Undutiful Children (1968)
- The Greatest Challenge of All (1967)
- My Sweetheart (1967)
- The Sunset Is Crying (1967)
- The Spiders: The Reckless Operation (1967) as Masaaki
- Youth A Go Go! (1966)
- Tokyo In Love (1965)
- A Girl of the Plateau (1965) as Sabu
- Flowering Maidens (1965) as Sabu
- Let's Dance Bon-Odori in Hawaii (1964) as Masaya Matsui
- Here Because of You (1964) as Akira Tanaka
- Friends (1964)
- Song of Happiness (1964)
- High School Juniors (Part II) (1964)
- High School Third Graders (1963)
- The School Cap (1963) as Matsubara
- Road to Hawaii (1954)
- パパ・サヴァイバル
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Masaaki Sakai best known for?
Masaaki Sakai is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Super (2010), Super (2010), Churasan (2001), Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010).
When and where was Masaaki Sakai born?
Masaaki Sakai was born on August 6, 1946.
How many credits does Masaaki Sakai have?
Masaaki Sakai has accumulated over 60 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1954 to 2025.
What is Masaaki Sakai's background in cinema and television?
Masaaki Sakai is a Japanese actor born on August 6, 1946. He is known for his work in the entertainment industry, particularly in acting. Sakai initially gained fame as the frontman of the group The Spiders, a popular music group formed in 1962. He later gained international recognition for his role in the Japanese TV ...
Masaaki Sakai by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Churasan (2001) as Kohagura Keibun — aged about 54
- Furuhata Ninzaburo (1994) as 中村右近 — aged about 47
- Monkey (1978) as Monkey — aged about 31
- Here Because of You (1964) as Akira Tanaka — aged about 17
- Let's Dance Bon-Odori in Hawaii (1964) as Masaya Matsui — aged about 17
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