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R.I.P.

7/11/2008 2:50 PM ET | Filed under: R.I.P.

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Hiroaki Aoki, father to supermodel Devon and DJ Steve, passed away Thursday in New York.

He was 69 years old.

A Japanese immigrant, "Rocky" - as he was called in America - was best known as the founder of the extremely successful Benihana chain franchise.

Our condolences go out to his family.

[Photo via Getty Images.]

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See All 36 Comments

36 comments to “R.I.P.”

  1. Taylo says – reply to this


    1

    RIP



  2. 2

    R.I.P

  3. Jay says – reply to this


    3

    I guess I should put something lame like 1st. However I have to say he died very young 69. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family…………

  4. sylvi says – reply to this


    4

    sorry for your loss devon and steve.

  5. WGAF? says – reply to this


    5

    SO WHAT. SHIT. WHO GIVES A FUCK BOUT THIS JAP MOTHA FUCKA!!!

  6. Matt says – reply to this


    6

    So…some guy no one has ever heard of, who is the father to two people no one has ever heard of passed away?

    ALERT THE MEDIA!!!

    /still sad
    //doesn't need to be reported though

  7. DUH!! says – reply to this


    7

    Re: Matt – OMG How do you not know who he is??? He is all over the pictures at Benihana with people like President Bush and Clinton and John Lenon!! He created an amazing franchise. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family.

  8. Hey a says – reply to this


    8

    Re: WGAF? – You're sorry son of a bitch for saying something like that, would u want someone to say that about your family member?

  9. Annoy says – reply to this


    9

    Re:WGAF? That is how I assume many people that actually have the displeasure of knowing an insensitive obnoxious ass such as yourself will react when you finally go!!

  10. Mike says – reply to this


    10

    Re #7

    Don't racists realize that they are a small minority? Isn't that discouraging?

  11. bumbl says – reply to this


    11

    how sad, too bad benihana doesn't offer health insurance for his employees. cheap ass

  12. Eric says – reply to this


    12

    Will his body be tempura'd? LOL. Will they serve that delicious ginger dressing at the funeral? Now how about the casket–will he be in one or will that be extra? LOL!

  13. -ohmy says – reply to this


    13

    I love Benihana's Fried Rice!!
    RIP and condolences to the family

  14. S.D. says – reply to this


    14

    So how are they splitting up his fortune???

  15. JDog says – reply to this


    15

    Hey now, he was also father to my main man Kyle Aoki, who is just a spectacular human being. Condolences, bro.

  16. jesso says – reply to this


    16

    whoever doesnt know benihana more than likely has never eaten a $50 plate of food. Yall broke mufuddas should work a lil harder and then y'all might know who this man is. That Hibachi Chateau Briand is off the chain!! With the xtra garlic butter. SHit thats probably what killed em.

  17. Rash says – reply to this


    17

    Rest In Peace Hiroaki Aoki.

  18. koko says – reply to this


    18

    my condolences go out to their family. i love devon aoki and i've always wondered what her dad looked like. RIP

  19. YUP says – reply to this


    19

    I named my SHIT TZU after him….His kids are HOT!

  20. x says – reply to this


    20

    his daughter was a model but i dont think supermodel

  21. OMG says – reply to this


    21

    I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU DIDN'T MENTION THE FAMILY DRAMA$$$$ THAT'S GOING TO COME SOON AFTER. C'MO, PEREZ, HAVE YOU NOT READ THE ROLLING STONE ARTICLE REGARDING THIS MAN? I HAVE A FEELING THIS STORY WILL DRAG OUT ENOUGH DRAMA TO FILL YOUR SITE FOR A WHILE.

  22. Puu says – reply to this


    22

    Tank Use So Berry Much Foe Yo Sympathies. I have put all Beni -Managers on notice to 20% off all Flied Rice orders this week. Tanks agen Benny/Rocky

  23. rawr says – reply to this


    23

    So that's the Hipster Kings' father…sad that he died at 69.

  24. ash says – reply to this


    24

    SARAH MORRISON'S FATHER-N-LAW!

  25. RIP says – reply to this


    25

    He kinda looked like Pappa Joe Jackson at first glance. Soon to be released: Trust Fund Babies Blowin' Up Hollywood!!!

  26. Shots says – reply to this


    26

    We met him once. He was very nice. He bought us dinner - at a Benihana of course.

  27. cake says – reply to this


    27

    Re: WGAF? –
    everyone has heard of benihana and steve aoki is an amaaaazing dj who tours all over the world. you are an a$$hole.

  28. Aubri says – reply to this


    28

    Racist much?? Seriously. Even though it's not like reporting that Britney Spears died, he's still a person, and death is still a sad thing. You're prob. just a heartless f***** that lives with a billion cats.

  29. WGAF? says – reply to this


    29

    Re: Hey a – I WOULDNT GIVE A FUCK WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT MY FAMILY!! MATTER OF FACT FUK YOU TOO BITCH!!! WITH A SICK DICK!!!

  30. kelly says – reply to this


    30

    So I totally thought this was Rob Schneider in character! lol

  31. V says – reply to this


    31

    This is so sad.
    I've met him several times as he and I shared some of the same friends.
    He was a sweet down to earth guy.
    He was the type of restaurant owner that would walk to every table and ask how your food is and ask where your from?…a very approrachable person
    My condolences to his family

  32. jonno says – reply to this


    32

    GOOD! This fucking piece of shit was a complete asshole…he made life miserable for everyone who ever worked in the club, hotel or food industries.

    What a worthless excuse for a human being. His death came 20-years too late!



  33. 33

    He actually is a family member of mine (step family) and I wish people wouldn't be so disrespectful. Im sure he has done way more in his life than any of you ever will. He was so innovative and had an amazing lust for life. Everyone loved his charismatic personality.

  34. HEY P says – reply to this


    34

    SAD! This man worked his ass off so his kids could spend their lives partying.
    A friend of mine just saw steve at a hipster house party in LA, hanging out with young kids. He said it was weird that 40 year old steve was there with all these 20 something year olds. He was wondering if steve is a "culture scout," you know, getting paid by some marketing firm to "discover" the latest trends on the street.

  35. Chane says – reply to this


    35

    this was my fathers really good friend :[

    he was suuper stressed out cause his kids were trying to sue him cause his new wife didnt sign a pre-nup..

    kinda lame
    poor rocky :[[

    RIP uncle

  36. terro says – reply to this


    36

    His Son DJ StevE Aoki is the Heir to the Bennihana Chain. He says Devon Aoki is his Favorite though because she is smart and stayed out of the Family Business.