Masi Oka is a Japanese-American actor, producer, and digital effects artist, with a net worth estimated to be around $5 million. He is renowned for his role as Hiro Nakamura on the NBC series, Heroes, which ran from 2006-2010. He quickly became a fan favorite with his goofy, silly nature, sense of humor, and his natural ability to portray heartwarming characters. More recently, he was back at entertaining the masses, drawing in an even younger generation of viewers, as Dr. Max Bergman in the CBS reboot of Hawaii Five-0, which aired from 2010 to 2019 and lasted a total of ten seasons.
Oka’s career goes beyond just being an actor. He is also a capable digital effects artist, as he has worked on blockbuster films ranging from Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, and Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Considering his craftsmanship and technical skills together, you begin to see what makes Oka among the most versatile performers in Hollywood.
Masi Oka: Early Life and Education
Oka was born on December 27, 1974, in Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan. He had a difficult childhood overall. Oka’s parents divorced when he was only a month old, so he was usually raised only by his mother. At the age of six, Oka and his mom moved to Los Angeles, where he began living the American experience while still keeping the roots of Japan alive in him. The talented domain Oka was featured on CBS’s Child’s play when he was just eight years old, and he captured the world’s imagination when he was identified on the cover of Time magazine as one of the “Asian-American Whiz Kids” in 1987. He was acknowledged as a mathematician, participated in MATHCOUNTS, and enjoyed a solid academic reputation.
Oka attended Brown University and graduated in 1997 with a double major in mathematics and computer science and a minor in theater arts. The combination of science and art would soon play a role in much of Oka’s professional career in special effects and acting.
Professional Engagement in Digital Special Effects
Before turning his attention to acting in Hollywood, Oka began his professional career behind the scenes at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM)—the legendary special effects house created by George Lucas. Oka had the opportunity to work on the following projects at ILM, including:
- Mighty Joe Young (1998)
- Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)
- The Perfect Storm (2000)
- Hulk (2003)
- War of the Worlds (2005)
Working on these high-profile movies helped Oka demonstrate much of his skill set as a technical artist, as well as his artistic sensibilities.
Oka’s First Recognizable Work as an Actor
Masi Oka initiated his acting career in the early 2000s, making guest appearances on TV shows such as Gilmore Girls, Scrubs, and Reno 911! He is most recognizable for his role as Hiro Nakamura in Heroes, which began airing in 2006. His portrayal of an office worker with the ability to time travel was incredibly popular and garnered a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe nomination.
He also starred in Get Smart (2008), Friends with Benefits (2011), Jobs (2013), Death Note (2017), and The Meg (2018). He resonated with audiences again from 2010 to 2019, including a significant role as Dr. Max Bergman on Hawaii Five-0.
Producer, Gamer, and More
In addition to his work as an actor, Masi Oka has also worked as a producer. Oka was a producer on the adapted feature film Death Note (2017) and executive producer on the critically praised video game Outer Wilds (2019) through his gaming company Mobius Digital Games.
In his personal life, Oka has a wide range of interests that reflect both his personality within and outside the filming studio. He is multilingual (speaking English, Japanese, and Spanish), has a black belt in kendo, is an avid chess player, and enjoys manga.
Awards and Recognition
Masi Oka has earned the following awards and nominations for his role on Heroes:
Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2007)
Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor (2007)
Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor (2007)
Masi Oka’s numerous awards and nominations in acting solidify him as one of the finest actors in television.
Masi Oka Net Worth
Acting Career (TV & Film): Masi Oka earns significant income from shows like Heroes, Hawaii Five-O, and other films.
Visual Effects Work: Oka has done visual effects work on various films prior to acting in a full-time career.
Producer and Gaming Business: Both as a founder of Mobius Digital Games and as a producer on Death Note and Outer Wilds.
Other: Projects, endorsements, voice actor.
Masi Oka FAQ
Q: “What is Masi Oka Worth?”
A: “Masi Oka is worth an estimated $5 million dollars.”
Q: “What was Masi Oka’s breakout role?”
A: “Masi Oka’s breakout role was Hiro Nakamura on NBC’s Heroes, which was a hit show that received worldwide acclaim.”
Q: “Did Masi Oka work on Star Wars?”
A: “Yes, before acting, Oka was with ILM for visual effects in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.”
Q: “What other shows has he been in?”
A: “Oka appeared in Hawaii Five-O and has had long-standing recurring roles on shows like Scrubs and Mozart in the Jungle, along with guest-starring parts in numerous other television shows.”
Q: “Own any businesses?”
A: “Yes, Oka owns Mobius Digital Games, which published the award-winning game Outer Wilds.”
