Fidel Castro, the Cuban “Liíder Máximo” who died at 90 on Friday, was a subject of fascination for Hollywood. Figures from Oliver Stone to Harry Belafonte to Steven Spielberg traveled to Cuba to meet him over the years.
Here are some of the Hollywood luminaries who met with Castro, or tried to, and offered words of admiration despite the leader’s tainted record on human rights.
Film director Steven Spielberg accepted an invitation in 2002 from Cuba’s film institute to attend a Cuban film festival featuring Spielberg’s work.
Jack Nicholson visited the island in 1998 and was followed by Cuban intelligence.