Famous Cuban Men

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A tiny island located a few hundred miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba has been the epicentre for cigar and rum lovers from across the globe. Ask anyone with a fascination for rum or cigar and he/she would tell you that quest for smoking different cigars or drinking varied rums isn’t fulfilled unless one has his/her hands on a Cuban one! However, this is just a side of the coin - Cuba is home to the cha-cha-cha dance form which originated in the country and some of world’s greatest baseball players. Yet still, listing Cuban accomplishments and achievements wouldn’t be complete, until one mentions the triumphs and deeds of Cuban men who have though their revolutionary work played an instrumental role in shaping the country’s identity on the world platform.

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 1 
Che Guevara
(Revolutionary)
Che Guevara
170
Birthdate: June 14, 1928
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Rosario, Argentina
Died: October 9, 1967

Argentine Marxist revolutionary, Che Guevara, was a major figure of the Cuban Revolution. A physician by profession, he developed radical views upon witnessing the injustices in the world and joined Fidel Castro’s revolutionary 26th of July Movement. Assassinated in 1967, he remains both a revered and reviled historical figure.

 2 
Yoel Romero
(Cuban Professional Mixed Martial Artist and Former Freestyle Wrestler)
Yoel Romero
14
Birthdate: April 30, 1977
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pinar del Río, Cuba

Widely considered one of the most athletic competitors ever in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Yoel Romero is often compared with the greats of the sport. A former freestyle wrestler, Romero earned Cuba a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

 3 
Joey Diaz
(Comedian, Actor, and Host of Podcast, "The Church of What's Happening Now.")
Joey Diaz
12
Birthdate: February 19, 1963
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Joey Diaz began his career as a stand-up comedian and then graduated to acting, appearing in projects such as My Name Is Earl and Spider-Man 2. He is now known for his appearances on the podcasts The Joe Rogan Experience, The Church of What's Happening Now, and Uncle Joey's Joint.
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 4 
José Fernández
(Cuban-American Professional Baseball Pitcher)
José Fernández
21
Birthdate: July 31, 1992
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Santa Clara, Cuba
Died: September 25, 2016

José Fernández was a Cuban-American baseball player who played for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball from 2013 to 2016. Renowned for his skills as a pitcher, José had four pitches in his armory: a four-seam fastball, a slurve, a changeup, and a sinker. He died at the age of 24 when a speedboat, which he was piloting, crashed.

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 5 
Eddie Cibrian
(American Film and TV Actor)
Eddie Cibrian
15
Birthdate: June 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Burbank, California, USA
 6 
Fidel Castro
(Former Prime Minister of Cuba)
Fidel Castro
108
Birthdate: August 13, 1926
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Birán, Cuba
Died: November 26, 2016

Serving as the Cuban prime minister from 1959 to 1976 and as president from 1976 to 2008, Fidel Castro was one of the most prominent Cuban leaders in the history. As the longest-reigning non-royal head of the 20th and 21st centuries, Castro was responsible for making Cuba a communist state.

 7 
William Levy
(Actor, Model)
William Levy
15
Birthdate: August 29, 1980
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Cojímar, Cuba
Cuban-American actor William Levy started as a model and then appeared on Spanish reality shows such as Isla de la Tentación. He has lent his voice to the dubbed version of Planet 51. He has also appeared in series such as Star and telenovelas such as Cuidado con el ángel.
 8 
Aroldis Chapman
(Cuban-born American Baseball Player Who Plays as a Relief Pitcher )
Aroldis Chapman
6
Birthdate: February 28, 1988
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Holguín, Cuba
 9 
Oscar Nunez
(Cuban-American Actor and Screenwriter )
Oscar Nunez
6
Birthdate: November 18, 1958
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuba, Cuba
 10 
Jose Canseco
(Cuban-American Former Major League Baseball (MLB) Outfielder and Designated Hitter)
Jose Canseco
10
Birthdate: July 2, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
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 11 
Luis Ortiz
(Cuban boxer)
Luis Ortiz
3
Birthdate: March 29, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Camagüey, Cuba
 12 
Jose Marti
(Cuban Nationalist, Poet and Philosopher)
Jose Marti
7
Birthdate: January 28, 1853
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: May 19, 1895

Son of Spanish immigrants, Jose Marti spent his childhood in a strife-torn Cuba and attended high school on financial aid. Marti’s poems, essays, and articles were laced with his patriotic vigor to free Cuba from the Spanish rule. He died battling on the field at Dos Ríos.

 13 
Miguel Díaz-Canel
(President of Cuba)
Miguel Díaz-Canel
12
Birthdate: April 20, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Placetas, Villa Clara

Miguel Díaz-Canel is a Cuban politician and the current president of Cuba. As president of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel has made several international trips, visiting places like India, Azerbaijan, and Russia. He has also interacted with presidents and prime ministers of several countries. In 2018, he was honored with the prestigious Order of the Liberator by the government of Venezuela.

 14 
José Raúl Capablanca
(Cuban Chess Player)
José Raúl Capablanca
3
Birthdate: November 19, 1888
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: March 8, 1942
 15 
Yasiel Puig
(Cuban-born American Baseball Player Who Plays as a Right Fielder)
Yasiel Puig
8
Birthdate: December 7, 1990
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cienfuegos, Cuba
 16 
Yoenis Céspedes
(Cuban-born Baseball Player Who Plays as an Outfielder)
Yoenis Céspedes
4
Birthdate: October 18, 1985
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Campechuela, Granma, Cuba
 17 
Pedro Zamora
(Cuban-American HIV/AIDS Activist and Reality TV Personality )
Pedro Zamora
5
Birthdate: February 29, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: November 11, 1994
 18 
Randy Arozarena
(Cuban-born Mexican Baseball Player Who Plays as an Outfielder)
Randy Arozarena
1
Birthdate: February 28, 1995
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pinar Del Rio, Cuba
 19 
Xavier Cugat
(Conductor, Composer, Jazz musician, Singer, Bandleader)
Xavier Cugat
5
Birthdate: January 1, 1900
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Girona
Died: October 27, 1990

Xavier Cugat was a Spanish musician and bandleader. He studied classical violin as a child and began working in silent films to support his family. He grew up to become a successful musician and played a leading role in the spread of Latin music. Besides music, he was also a cartoonist and a restaurateur. He was married five times. 

 20 
Tony Plana
(Cuban TV and Film Actor and Director )
Tony Plana
2
Birthdate: April 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
 21 
Konnan
(Professional wrestler and Podcaster)
Konnan
1
Birthdate: June 6, 1964
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba Province, Cuba

Konnan is an American Cuban former professional wrestler who wrestled for national and independent promotions in Mexico and the USA. He held 15 title belts in nine promotions during an illustrious career that spanned almost 30 years. Konnan is also known for his involvement in the creation of Lucha Underground.

 22 
Jon Secada
(Pop Singer Who Co-wrote the Song 'She’s All I Ever Had' for 'Ricky Martin')
Jon Secada
2
Birthdate: October 4, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Jon Secada is a singer, voice actor, and songwriter. Having sold more than 15 million records, Secada is often counted among the best-selling Latin music artists. Apart from recording his own songs, he has also contributed as a songwriter for songs recorded by artists like Jennifer Lopez, Ricky Martin, and Gloria Estefan. Secada has received two Grammy Awards so far.
 

 23 
Raul Castro
(President of the Council of State of Cuba)
Raul Castro
19
Birthdate: June 3, 1931
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Birán, Cuba
Cuban politician Raúl Castro, brother of Fidel Castro, succeeded his brother as the Cuban president and reigned from 2008 to 2018. He was part of the 26th of July Movement and spent 22 months behind bars. He is the current First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba.
 24 
Al Jourgensen
(Singer, Music executive, Banjoist, Composer)
Al Jourgensen
4
Birthdate: October 9, 1958
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Havana

Al Jourgensen is a Cuban-American singer, music producer, and musician. He is best known for founding the popular industrial metal band Ministry where he serves as the lyricist and frontman. Over the course of his four-decade-long musical career, Al Jourgensen has collborated with numerous other artists like Iggy Pop and Jello Biafra. He has also influenced numerous other musicians.

 25 
Yasmani grandal
(Cuban-born American Baseball Player Who Plays as a Catcher)
Yasmani grandal
1
Birthdate: November 8, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
 26 
Rudy Sarzo
(Bassist)
Rudy Sarzo
0
Birthdate: November 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana
 27 
Erislandy Lara
(Cuban-American Boxer)
Erislandy Lara
3
Birthdate: April 11, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Guantanamo, Cuba
 28 
Camilo Cienfuegos
(Armed force officer)
Camilo Cienfuegos
4
Birthdate: February 6, 1932
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Havana
Died: October 28, 1959

Camilo Cienfuegos was a Cuban revolutionary who was part of the 1956 Granma expedition alongside Che Guevara and Fidel Castro. He went on to become one of Fidel Castro's top guerrilla commanders and played an important role in winning the Battle of Yaguajay, which earned him the nickname Hero of Yaguajay. Camilo Cienfuegos is revered as a hero in Cuba.

 29 
Frank Sanchez
(Cuban Boxer)
Frank Sanchez
1
Birthdate: July 18, 1992
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Guantanamo, Cuba
 30 
David Fumero
(Cuban-American Actor and Former Fashion Model)
David Fumero
3
Birthdate: December 29, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
 31 
Minnie Minoso
(Cuban Baseball Player Who Played as a Left Fielder)
Minnie Minoso
2
Birthdate: November 29, 1925
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: El Perico, Cuba
Died: March 1, 2015
 32 
Yordan Álvarez
(Cuban Baseball Player Who Plays as a Left Fielder and Designated Hitter)
Yordan Álvarez
2
Birthdate: June 27, 1997
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Las Tunas, Cuba
 33 
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
(Cuban Baseball Player Who Plays as a Left Fielder)
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
3
Birthdate: October 10, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
 34 
Jorge Soler
(Cuban Baseball Player Who Plays as an Outfielder)
Jorge Soler
3
Birthdate: February 25, 1992
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
 35 
Guillermo Rigondeaux
3
Birthdate: September 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
 36 
Orlando Hernández
(Former Cuban-born Baseball Player Who Played as a Pitcher)
Orlando Hernández
1
Birthdate: October 11, 1965
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Villa Clara, Cuba
 37 
Teófilo Stevenson
(Cuban Boxer)
Teófilo Stevenson
3
Birthdate: March 29, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Puerto Padre, Cuba
Died: June 11, 2012
 38 
Hector Lombard
(Cuban-born Australian Bodybuilder, Mixed Martial Artist, and Former Olympic Judoka)
Hector Lombard
1
Birthdate: February 2, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Matanzas, Cuba
 39 
Benny Paret
(Cuban Boxer)
Benny Paret
3
Birthdate: March 14, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Santa Clara, Cuba
Died: April 3, 1962
 40 
Fulgencio Batista
(Former President of Cuba)
Fulgencio Batista
24
Birthdate: January 16, 1901
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Banes, Cuba
Died: August 6, 1973

Fulgencio Batista was the elected president of Cuba from 1940 to 1944. He formed the constitution of Cuba. He later became a dictator through a coup. He was finally ousted by Che Guevara at the Battle of Santa Clara, as part of Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement.

 41 
Luis Tiant
(Former Cuban Baseball Player Who Played as a Starting Pitcher)
Luis Tiant
2
Birthdate: November 23, 1940
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Marianao, Havana, Cuba
 42 
Alberto Salazar
(American Former Track Coach and Long-Distance Runner)
Alberto Salazar
1
Birthdate: August 7, 1958
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba

Alberto Salazar is an American former long-distance runner who won the silver medal at the 1982 IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Rome, Italy. After his retirement from the sport, Salazar served as the head coach for the Nike Oregon Project and received the 2013 IAAF Coaching Achievement Award in Monaco. He was later banned for doping and sexual offenses.

 43 
Yordenis Ugás
(Cuban Boxer)
Yordenis Ugás
2
Birthdate: July 14, 1986
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
 44 
Danell Leyva
(Cuban-American Former Gymnast Who Competed for America and was a Specialist on 'Parallel Bars' and 'Horizontal Bar')
Danell Leyva
3
Birthdate: October 30, 1991
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cardenas, Cuba

With his mother and stepfather both being national gymnasts from Cuba, Danell Leyva was bound to follow in their footsteps. The Cuban-American gymnast has won 2 silvers and 1 bronze at the Olympics. In 2020, he came out as pansexual and bisexual, hoping it would ease things for other LGBT individuals.

 45 
Wilfredo León
(Cuban–Polish Volleyball Player Who Plays as an Outside Hitter)
Wilfredo León
1
Birthdate: July 31, 1993
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
 46 
Yuriorkis Gamboa
(Cuban Boxer)
Yuriorkis Gamboa
2
Birthdate: December 23, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Guantánamo, Cuba
 47 
Kendrys Morales
(Former Cuban-Dominican Baseball Player Who Played as a First Baseman and Designated Hitter)
Kendrys Morales
0
Birthdate: June 20, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Fomento
 48 
Desmond Child
(Songwriter)
Desmond Child
5
Birthdate: October 28, 1953
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gainesville, Florida, United States
 49 
José Abreu
(Cuban-born Baseball Player Who Plays as a Designated Hitter and First Baseman)
José Abreu
1
Birthdate: January 29, 1987
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Cruces, Cuba
 50 
Sal Magluta
(Kingpin who ran South Florida from the 1970s to 1990s)
Sal Magluta
4
Birthdate: November 5, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuba

Be it Raul or Fidel Castro, current and former leader of the Communist party of Cuba or Jose Marti, a Cuban national hero and Latin American litterateur, novelist Leonardo Padura or composer Ernesto Lecuona, sporting legends Ivan Dominguez, Jose Raul Capablanca and Jose Mendez or actor Mario Ernesto Sanchez and painter Pedro Alvarez Castello – Cuban men have been playing the role of a protagonist on the world’s cultural, economic, political and social stage. Know more about their life and works through this follow-up.