Did you know that Cuba, a country synonymous to sugar, cigar, rum, baseball and musket-toting pirates, is also been home to many polarizing figures. That is right! This timeworn yet splendid country, which fuses old world colonial charm with contemporary cultural idiosyncrasies with élan, boasts of some exceptionally gifted and universally feted Cubans whose life and heritage will bowl you over completely. Gloria Estefan, Desi Arnaz, Cesar Romero, Rosario Dawson, Cameron Diaz, Marco Rubio, Jeff Bezos, Eva Mendes, Pitbull, Andy Garcia, Gilbert Arenas, and Ted Cruz are just some of the famous Cubans whom the world knows and lauds. But that is just tip of the iceberg. There is more to the list of famous Cubans than you can fathom. Explore all about the famous Cubans in their biographies captured below. As you trail their timeline, revel in their trivia, and wonder at some of the lesser-known facts about them, we bet you will not be able to stop reading.
This ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet.
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Famous As: Former Prime Minister of Cuba
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.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: April 30, 1988
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Santa Cruz del Norte, Cuba
A Spanish-Cuban actress, Ana de Armas worked in Spanish films and television shows before moving to Hollywood. Overcoming the obstacle of not knowing English, she established herself as a solid actress by working in films like Knives Out and Blade Runner 2049. She will play a Bond girl in No Time to Die movie and will portray Marilyn Monroe in the Netflix biopic Blonde.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: March 2, 1917
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Died: December 2, 1986
Desi Arnaz was born wealthy but lost everything in the 1933 Cuban Revolution. He paired up with his first wife, Lucille Ball, in I Love Lucy, thus inventing the modern sitcom/syndicated show format, with live audiences. He owned a production company and was the bandleader of the Desi Arnaz Orchestra.
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Famous As: Singer
Birthdate: September 1, 1957
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Three-time Grammy-winner Gloria Estefan was named one of Billboard’s Top 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The Miami Sound Machine singer is known for her hits Rhythm Is Gonna Get You and Don't Wanna Lose You. One of the best-selling Latin artists, she has received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Famous As: Mixed Martial Artist
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.
Famous As: Actor, Comedian
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.
Famous As: Baseball player
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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Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: June 16, 1973
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Burbank, California, USA
Famous As: Singer
Birthdate: October 21, 1925
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: July 16, 2003
Celia Cruz was a Cuban-American singer who achieved popularity in Cuba as a singer of guarachas during the 1950s. Widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most famous Latin artists, Cruz was nicknamed the Queen of Salsa. She is also revered for popularizing Latin music in the USA. Celia Cruz also won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards.
Famous As: Michael Jordan’s Wife
Birthdate: February 29, 1979
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cuba
Model Yvette Prieto gained fame working with renowned designers such as Alexander Wang. She appeared as herself in the documentary Cuba: An Island Apart. She is married to NBA legend Michael Jordan. Apart from her twin daughters with Jordan, she has three stepchildren from Jordan’s previous marriage.
Famous As: Actor, Model
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.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: November 18, 1958
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuba, Cuba
Famous As: Boxer
Birthdate: March 29, 1979
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Camagüey, Cuba
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: February 28, 1988
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Holguín, Cuba
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: July 2, 1964
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Famous As: Diarist
Birthdate: February 21, 1903
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris, France
Died: January 14, 1977
French-Cuban-American diarist, essayist, and novelist Anais Nin wrote several volumes of journals, erotica, novels, critical studies, essays, and short stories. Her journals and diaries are among her most studied works. She had a deep interest in psychoanalysis and studied it extensively with René Allendy and Otto Rank. Critics consider her one of the finest writers of female erotica.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: November 17, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Cuban-American TV personality Daisy Fuentes became MTV's first Latina VJ and Revlon's first global Latina spokesperson. She also hosted America's Funniest Home Videos and later launched a clothing and haircare line. She has worked for cancer research and other charitable causes, too. She is married to singer Richard Marx.
Famous As: Actor, Comedian
Birthdate: June 14, 1968
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Faizon Love is a Cuban-American comedian and actor known for playing important roles in films like Friday, Torque, and Couples Retreat. In 2014, he was caught up in a controversy when he made a series of contentious comments on Twitter pertaining to the sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby. In 2017, he was arrested after being accused of misdemeanor assault.
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: December 7, 1990
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cienfuegos, Cuba
Famous As: Poet
Birthdate: January 28, 1853
Sun Sign: Aquarius
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.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: February 28, 1987
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Anabelle Acosta is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Natalie Vasquez in the thriller drama TV series, Quantico. Born in Havana, Cuba, Acosta went on to establish herself as an actress in the American film and TV industry. She is also known for playing Annabella in the comedy-drama television series, Ballers.
Famous As: President of Cuba
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.
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: May 26, 1972
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Baracoa, Cuba
Selenis Leyva is best known as Gloria Mendoza from the hit Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. The Cuban-born actor was raised in The Bronx and is thus considered a prominent Afro-Latina icon. She has also penned a book and is a vocal supporter of the LGBT community, too.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: December 29, 1972
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Famous As: Model
Birthdate: March 19, 1974
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Vida Guerra is a Cuban-born American model. As a young woman, she entered several fashion shows and started bagging modeling assignments. She became internationally famous after appearing in a lingerie spread for FHM in December 2002 and has since worked with many international brands. She has also appeared in a few TV shows.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: December 2, 1956
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Steven Bauer is a Cuban-American actor best known for playing Cuban drug lord, Manny Ribera, in the American crime drama film, Scarface, a film which gave him an opportunity to work with actors like Al Pacino. Bauer received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance in the film. He then went on to establish himself as a serious actor.
Famous As: Cuban Citizen Who Got Embroiled in Immigration Controversy
Birthdate: December 6, 1993
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cardenas, Cuba
Elián González is a Cuban boy who became the center of an immigration issue when he was rescued by fishermen off the U.S. coast and handed over to federal agents. His mother had drowned during their escape from Cuba, and Elián’s father later fought to get him back to Cuba.
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: October 18, 1985
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Campechuela, Granma, Cuba
Famous As: Educator
Birthdate: February 29, 1972
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: November 11, 1994
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: February 28, 1995
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pinar Del Rio, Cuba
Famous As: Singer, Music executive, Banjoist, Composer
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.
Famous As: Conductor, Composer, Jazz musician, Singer, Bandleader
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.
Famous As: Boxer
Birthdate: April 11, 1983
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Guantanamo, Cuba
Famous As: Boxer
Birthdate: September 30, 1980
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Famous As: Actress
Birthdate: July 5, 1984
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Famous As: Singer-songwriter
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.
Famous As: Boxer
Birthdate: July 14, 1986
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Famous As: Professional wrestler and Podcaster
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.
Famous As: Actor
Birthdate: April 19, 1952
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Famous As: Murder Convict
Birthdate: July 14, 1947
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
Assata Shakur is a former member of the revolutionary organization 'Black Liberation Army'. Sentenced to life for murder, Shakur escaped from the 'Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women' and was eventually granted political asylum in Cuba. She is the first woman to be added to FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists list. Her life inspired the documentary film Eyes of the Rainbow.
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: November 8, 1988
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Famous As: Armed force officer
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.
Famous As: President of the Council of State of Cuba
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.
Famous As: Former President of Cuba
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.
Famous As: Model, T.V. Show Host
Birthdate: March 20, 1967
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Lili Estefan is a model who achieved popularity in 1986 when she was chosen to appear as a model on the Spanish-language TV show, Sábado Gigante. She then went on to become a popular model, receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Premios TVyNovelas in 2015. She is one of the judges on a reality show titled Mira Quien Baila.
Famous As: Bassist
Birthdate: November 18, 1950
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana
Famous As: Boxer
Birthdate: December 23, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Guantánamo, Cuba
Famous As: Baseball player
Birthdate: October 10, 1993
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
Famous As: Kingpin who ran South Florida from the 1970s to 1990s
Birthdate: November 5, 1954
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Cuba
Famous As: Chess Player
Birthdate: November 19, 1888
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Died: March 8, 1942