Cuba has been a source of fascination for many people in Hollywood throughout time. With its vibrant culture, rich history, and beautiful scenery, it’s no surprise that Cuba has attracted numerous celebrities over the years. From actors and musicians to directors and movie-makers, here are some of the most famous people in Hollywood who have visited Cuba.
Cuba’s Celebrity Visits
Madonna
Madonna is one of the most iconic celebrities to have visited Cuba in recent years. In 2016, she celebrated her 58th birthday in Havana with a star-studded party attended by the likes of Katy Perry and Dave Chappelle. She also visited Cuba in 2019 to film her “Medellin” music video, featuring Colombian singer Maluma.
Michael Moore
Michael Moore, the documentary filmmaker and political activist, visited Cuba in 2007 to make his film Sicko. The film explores and compares the U.S. healthcare system to Cuba’s universal healthcare system. Moore was granted access to Cuban hospitals and spoke with doctors and patients about their experiences with the healthcare system.
Beyoncé and Jay-Z
In 2013, music power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z made headlines when they visited Cuba for their fifth wedding anniversary. The couple reportedly visited museums, restaurants, and clubs and even met with local artists and dancers. Their trip was controversial at the time, as U.S. citizens were not allowed to travel to Cuba for tourism purposes.
Steven Spielberg
Steven Spielberg, one of Hollywood’s most successful directors, visited Cuba in 2002 to attend the Havana Film Festival. He was also given a tour of Havana’s historic old town by Cuban director Juan Carlos Tabío. Spielberg reportedly praised the city’s architecture and expressed interest in filming a movie in Cuba.
Vin Diesel
Vin Diesel, the action movie star best known for his role in the Fast and Furious franchise, visited Cuba in 2016 to film “Fast 8.” The movie, which was partly shot in Havana, was the first major Hollywood production to be filmed in Cuba since the easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba.
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner, the award-winning actor and director, visited Cuba in 2017 to attend the Havana Film Festival. He was there to present his film Hidden Figures, which tells the story of the African-American women who helped launch the first U.S. space mission. Costner also gave a masterclass on filmmaking during his visit.
Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett, the singer-songwriter and founder of the “Margaritaville” brand, has been to Cuba several times. He performed in Havana in 2015 as part of the Havana Jazz Festival and has also visited the island to explore its music and culture.
Benicio Del Toro
Benicio Del Toro, a Puerto Rican actor and producer, visited Cuba in 2019 to attend the Havana Film Festival. He was there to present his film Wasp Network, which tells the story of Cuban spies in the U.S. during the 1990s. Del Toro has a strong connection to Cuba and has been a vocal advocate for normalizing relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
Francis Ford Coppola
The legendary director and producer Francis Ford Coppola visited Cuba in 2015 to attend the Havana Film Festival. He was there to present his film “The Godfather, Part II,” which was being shown as part of a retrospective of his work. Coppola also participated in a panel discussion on the state of independent filmmaking in Cuba.
Movies Filmed in Cuba
While many celebs visit Cuba for a Caribbean getaway, others come to take advantage of the incredible scenery and architecture. Here are a few iconic movies that were filmed in Cuba.
The Godfather, Part II (1974)
The Godfather, Part II, directed by Francis Ford Coppola, was partly filmed in Havana, Cuba. The film tells the story of the Corleone family, with scenes set in both New York City and Havana. Many of the Havana scenes were actually filmed in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, which has a similar architectural style to Havana.
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
Buena Vista Social Club is a documentary film directed by Wim Wenders that explores the music of Cuba. The film follows musician Ry Cooder as he travels to Cuba to record an album with some of the country’s most famous musicians. The film showcases the vibrant culture of Cuba and the beautiful scenery of Havana.
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights (2004)
Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights is a romantic drama film directed by Guy Ferland. The film is a prequel to the 1987 film Dirty Dancing and is set in Havana, Cuba, in 1958. The movie follows the story of a teenage girl who moves to Havana with her family and falls in love with a local Cuban boy. The film features many beautiful scenes of Havana, including the Malecon waterfront and the Hotel Nacional.
Fast & Furious 8 (2017)
Fast & Furious 8, directed by F. Gary Gray, is an action movie that features scenes set in Havana, Cuba. The film follows the story of a team of street racers who are recruited by a government agent to stop a rogue hacker.
Whether for work or pleasure, Hollywood’s most famous celebrities have been drawn to Cuba’s unique culture and natural beauty. With the recent easing of travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba, we’ll likely see more Hollywood stars making their way to this fascinating Caribbean island in the years to come.
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