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The good folks behind VÉHICULE are working overtime this summer. Just last week, the avantgarde brand presented a short-film deep diving into the mysterious death of Don Aronow. This week they’ve presented another short-film centered around the iconic Benihana founder and Offshore Racing Legend, Rocky Aoki.
After moving to the U.S., Rocky began selling ice cream in Harlem, eventually saving enough to co-invest in his first restaurant, Benihana. With his flair for marketing and larger-than-life personality, Benihana quickly became a hit. Rocky Aoki was no ordinary entrepreneur. He lived life on the edge, launching an adult magazine, opening a nightclub, and performing daring stunts like hot air ballooning across the ocean. His wild antics were straight out of “Wolf of Wall Street.” Rocky’s personal life was as tumultuous as his career.
He fathered six children with three different wives, including world-renowned DJ Steve Aoki and actress Devon Aoki. His relationships with his children were often fraught, leading to multiple legal battles. Today, Benihana boasts 76 restaurants and over 7,400 employees. Rocky Aoki’s incredible story is set to be dramatized in an upcoming FX show.
For more information about VÉHICULE, check out their website. You can also check out our interview, with VÉHICULE founder, Christopher Kippenberger, here.