Celebrities

Marvin R. Shanken’s Cigar Aficionado Interviews

Jan 28, 2021 | By CA Editors

As the founder, editor & publisher of Cigar Aficionado magazine, Marvin R. Shanken has interviewed a host of fascinating people from all walks of life throughout the magazine’s long history. He has sat down in person with world leaders, some of the planet’s most accomplished sports stars, famous celebrities, acclaimed directors, star cigarmakers and more.

We’ve compiled links to all of these interviews on this page, available in reverse chronological order, dating all the way back to the earliest days of Cigar Aficionado magazine.

2023

Arnold Schwarzenegger
Watch the Interview

Mark Wahlberg
Watch the Interview

2021

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
Watch the Interview

2018

Alex Rodriguez
Watch the Interview

2017

Michael Jordan
Watch the Interview

In 2016, Marvin R. Shanken sat down in his New York City conference room to interview NFL Hall of Famer Ray Lewis, who overcame all odds to become one of football’s greatest players.

2016

Ray Lewis
Watch the Interview

2015

Robert De Niro

2014

Facundo Bacardi

Marvin R. Shanken sat down with Michael Jordan for the second time in 2017 at the Cigar Aficionado office in New York City. The two talked about Cuba, cigars, golf and much more.

2008

Arnon Milchan

2005

Michael Jordan (first interview)

2003

Gen. Tommy Franks
Francis Ford Coppola

Marvin R. Shanken in Napa, California, with legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, revealing the secrets of the epic “Godfather” movies.

1998

Manuel Quesada, MATASA Cigars
José Orlando Padron, Padrón Cigars
Carlos Fuente Jr., Arturo Fuente Cigars

1997

Ernesto Perez-Carrillo, La Gloria Cubana
Stanford Newman, J.C. Newman

1996

Nicholas Freeman, Hunters & Frankau
Edgar M. Cullman Jr., General Cigar Co.
Robert Levin, Ashton Cigars

One of modern history's most controversial leaders, Cuban leader Fidel Castro didn't participate in many foreign interviews. He sat for a lengthy interview in Havana with Marvin R. Shanken to talk about Cuban cigars, the U.S. embargo and much more for one of Cigar Aficionado's first interviews.