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Langston Faizon Santisima is an African-American actor and comedian from Santiago de Cuba known for Wanda from Elf, Big Worm from Friday, Sean "Sweet" Johnson from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Jahmal Abdul Jackson from The Replacements, Bruce the Bear from Zookeeper, Robin Harris from Bébé's Kids and Maurice from The Meteor Man.

Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III was born in Santiago, Cuba on March 2, 1917. His father was the mayor of Santiago. The 1933 revolution led by Fulgencio Batista had landed his father in jail and stripped the family of its wealth, property and power. His father was released because of the intercession of U.S. officials who believed him to be neutral during the revolt. The family fled to Miami, Florida. One of Desi's first jobs in America consisted of cleaning canary cages. However, after forming his own small band of musicians, he was hired by Xavier Cugat, the "king" of Latin music.

Desi soon left Cugat, formed his own Latin band, and literally launched the conga craze in America. He was cast in the Broadway play "Too Many Girls" and then brought to Hollywood to make the film version of the play. It was on the set of Too Many Girls (1940) that he and Lucille Ball met. They soon married and approximately 10 years later formed Desilu Productions and began the I Love Lucy (1951) shows. Desi and Lucille had two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr.. At the end of the I Love Lucy (1951) run, which included The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour (1957), the two divorced. Desi later wrote an autobiography entitled "A Book." In 1986 he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on December 2, 1986 at age 69.

Lili Bernard is a Cuban-born, Los Angeles-based visual artist and actor. She has exhibited her artwork in numerous galleries and institutions. Her work examines issues of trauma born of sexism and racism, past and present. As an actress and member of SAG/AFTRA, Lili guest-starred in the last season of The Cosby Show (1984) as the zany and very pregnant Mrs. Minifield. On Seinfeld (1989) she played Kramer's Black girlfriend, Anna. She co-starred in the Stephen King CBS TV mini-series, Golden Years (1991), and played the female lead in the BBC film, Murder in Oakland, (i.e. _"Screenplay" (1991)_) opposite Ving Rhames and Eriq La Salle. In theatre, Lili has performed extensively in New York City, Off-Broadway, and in Los Angeles.

A mother of six children, to whom she gave birth in a ten year span, Lili is also a published writer and blogger for the Huffington Post. She has garnered critical acclaim as an independent curator, longtime arts activist and community organizer. Lili first created and ran HABLA (Harvesting Asian, Black, Latino Artists) in order to provide platforms for under-represented artists in Los Angeles. Realizing that Black artists were the most marginalized of the group, Lili then founded and organized BAILA (Black Artists in Los Angeles), a current movement aimed at building bridges of access for Black artists into the mainstream art world.

Lili graduated high school from the American School in Japan, where she spent 11th and 12th grade, and attended New Jersey public schools from kindergarten through tenth grade. She did her undergraduate studies at Cornell University and City University of New York, earning a B.A. in German. Lili received her MFA from Otis College of Art and Design in 2014 under the tutelage of professors Suzanne Lacy, Charles Gaines, Ulysses Jenkins and Andrea Bowers.

Marilyn Torres was born in 1976 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. She is an actress, known for The King of Staten Island (2020), Maid in Manhattan (2002) and Lady in the Water (2006).

After studying cinema in the USSR, Molina finished his studies at the International School of Film and Television (EICTV) in Cuba, specializing in direction. A fan of horror films, he has graced arty films as well as grade-Z shorts. He's also the director of the cult film Molina's Culpa (1993), one of the most widely exhibited film thesis in the history of the EICTV, in Cuba and abroad.

Angelo Martinez was born on 21 January 1984 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He is an actor and cinematographer, known for Breaking Bad (2008), Team No H8 (2019) and Swing Vote (2008).

Roberto Monticello was born in Cuba. He began his career writing and directing for the stage, receiving numerous awards and grants, before becoming a film director and settling in New York City. He is one of few Cuban-born directors living in the U.S. with permission to shoot in Cuba.

In addition to writing and directing films, Monticello has devoted much of his life to human rights and environmental causes. He has journeyed three times to Ethiopia during the famine, once as a camp director, for which he received the UNICEF Relief Dag Hammarshjold Medal 'In the Name of the World's Children'.

He was arrested, beaten and threatened several times while traveling through South America in pursuit of Nazi war criminals. He has traveled throughout Central America as a troubleshooter for human rights organizations, lived with Peruvian Indians in the Andes and recorded human rights abuses in Afghanistan during the Russian presence.

He has concentrated great effort on ending the U.S. Embargo and Travel Ban to Cuba, bringing a boatload of medicine twice a year and making films in Cuba to promote a peaceful resolution. He is producing two Cuba-themed documentaries - one, "Looking For Cuba," which deals directly with the U.S. Embargo - and with writing partner _Doug Klozzner_ has written two Cuban-themed feature scripts: "Son Cubano", an action-filled tale about the seeds of freedom in Cuba, and "Free Again: La Lupe's Story", the true life drama of legendary singer La Lupe.

Recently back from Darfur, after being wounded on a mission for the Red Cross, Roberto was given the 2007 Film Humanitarian Award at the Fifth Queens International Film Festival.

2008 Humanitarian Film Projects:

"Children of the Night"

A documentary expose of the trafficking of children from Cambodia, Malaysia and the Phillipines to the U.S. for sexual purposes. To date, 34 children have been rescued by the film crew and several "homes" have been closed due to the attention this film has created. This project is in mid-production.

"The World's Crying"

A montage of footage shot by Roberto in Darfur and Rwanda during the genocides; Sri Lanka during the tsunami; Sarajevo during the ethnic cleansing; and New Orleans during the event of Hurricane Katrina.

"Carnaval de Cuba"

A look at Carnaval and religion in Cuba today. Principal photography complete; currently in post-production.

"Looking for Cuba"

A piece on the Anti-U.S. Embargo and Travel Ban. This film was recently shown at the United Nations and is currently on the festival circuit.

"Native Americans"

A view into the current state of American Indians. Marlon Brando was the original executive producer. Principal photography is nearly complete; currently shooting on Indian reservations in Long Island, NY.

"Cannibals & Missionaries"

Written and directed by Roberto for Tri-Continental Films. This project is complete, seeking distribution. A planned sequel entitled "Cultural Survival" has been shot in 6 countries in Latin America.

Monticello is also a published poet, novelist and journalist. Resides in New York City.

Rita Marley was born on 25 July 1946 in Santiago, Cuba. She is a producer and actress, known for Bob Marley: One Love (2024), The Mighty Quinn (1989) and The Social Network (2010). She was previously married to Bob Marley.

Charles Ashenoff was born on 6 June 1964 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He is an actor and writer, known for WCW Monday Nitro (1995), Lucha Underground (2014) and WCW Thunder (1998).

Italo Calvino was born on 15 October 1923 in Santiago de Las Vegas, Cuba. He was a writer, known for Boccaccio '70 (1962), Tiko and the Shark (1962) and L'amore difficile (1962). He was married to Esther Calvino. He died on 19 September 1985 in Siena, Tuscany, Italy.

Dayana Legrá was born in 1989 in Santiago de Cuba. She is an actress, known for Beginner's Luck (2022), Ferozz: The Wild Red Riding Hood (2010) and Casting (2013).

Adolfo Llauradó was born on 29 September 1941 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He was an actor and director, known for The Man from Maisinicu (1973), Amores (1994) and La primera carga al machete (1969). He was married to Jacqueline Meppiel. He died on 3 November 2001 in Havana, Cuba.

Luis Conte was born in Santiago, Cuba. He is known for Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Transformers (2007) and Smokin' Aces (2006).

Marco Rizo is best remembered as musical director for the popular television show I Love Lucy (1951) during its lengthy run from 1951 to 1957. He famously co-wrote the jaunty theme song. Marco was born in 1920 in Santiago, Cuba. He was immersed in music from early childhood. His father, chief flutist with the Santiago Symphony Orchestra (simultaneously, also the front man for a popular jazz band) took his son under a rigorous training regime in classical music, Latin and jazz. By the age of sixteen, Marco had become Cuba's foremost concert pianist, on occasion performing in tandem with established musicians like Ernesto Lecuona. In 1940, he was awarded a scholarship at Juilliard and moved to the United States.

After two years of wartime service as a member of the 2nd Army Military Band (which effectively dispensed with his piano-playing talents), Marco was offered the chance to join the popular Afro-Cuban dance orchestra of his childhood friend Desi Arnaz. Until 1950, he accompanied the group on its nationwide tour in his capacity as pianist and orchestrator. During his subsequent work on "I Love Lucy" he resumed his musical studies at UCLA under the tutelage of Igor Stravinsky and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco. This was very much in keeping with his natural preference for classical music. At this time, he also began turning out arrangements for performers ranging from Carmen Miranda and Xavier Cugat to Yma Sumac, as well as scoring feature films for Columbia, MGM and Paramount. From 1960, he held positions as orchestrator for CBS and for the Royal Viking Line of cruise ships, as well as pursuing a successful solo career giving piano recitals and recording some thirty albums of Cuban classical music (18th to 20th century) and featuring his own compositions like "Danzas Cubanas" and "Suite Campesina". In the 80's, he established a foundation -- the SouthAmerican Music Project -- dedicated to educating children in Latin music,

Ibrahim Ferrer was born on 20 February 1927 in Santiago, Cuba. He was an actor, known for The Party (2017), Buena Vista Social Club: Adios (2017) and Gorillaz: Live in Manchester (2006). He was married to Caridad Diaz. He died on 6 August 2005 in Havana, Cuba.

Sarita Wooton was born on 7 April 1928 in Santiago, Cuba. She was an actress, known for Wuthering Heights (1939), The Light That Failed (1939) and El trovador de la radio (1938). She was married to Casme Saavedra. She died on 21 September 2018.

Eusebia Cosme was born on 5 December 1911 in Santiago, Cuba. She was an actress, known for El derecho de nacer (1966), The Pawnbroker (1964) and El derecho de nacer (1966). She died on 11 July 1976 in Miami, Florida, USA.

Olga Guillot was born on 9 October 1923 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. She was an actress, known for Cita con la muerte (1949), Cry of the Bewitched (1957) and Una estrella y dos estrellados (1960). She died on 12 July 2010 in Miami Beach, Florida, USA.

Salvador Wood was born on 24 November 1928 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He was an actor, known for I Am Cuba (1964), Death of a Bureaucrat (1966) and La segunda hora de Esteban Zayas (1984). He was married to Yolanda. He died on 1 June 2019 in Havana, Cuba.

Teté Vergara was born in 1914 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. She was an actress, known for Realengo 18 (1961), Lucia (1968) and Cumbite (1964). She died in 1981 in Havana, Cuba.

Well known for her high level of camp and her energetic performances, La Lupe was one of the Spanish-language world's greatest performers. Born in Cuba to a poor family, La Lupe began her life as a schoolteacher in Havana at her father's request. However music was in her blood, and against his wishes she entered a singing competition on the radio where she won first place. Later she joined the singing group "Trio Los Tropicales" and made many successful club debuts throughout Havana. When La Lupe went solo, her performances at Havana's La Red night club caused quite a stir, an impact that leaked slowly to the rest of the island. Overnight La Lupe had become a source if wonderment, controversy and a national celebrity.

Her first recordings, which included Spanish versions of Rock hits by Paul Anka and other American authors, as well as Cuban standards, made the hit parades of radio stations across the country. Her unique voice, combined with extravagant performance antics, made her a smash in the Cuban music scene. However, after the Cuban Revolution of 1959, La Lupe felt that she could no longer live in a country that did not accept her singing style, which was officially classified as anti-revolutionary. She left Cuba for Mexico in 1962, where she sought to relaunch her career, but was never accepted. Later she moved to New York, where she met fellow Cuban musician Mongo Santamaría. Both teamed up with to make the album make "Mongo Introduces La Lupe" in 1963. That album made her a star and later she joined the legendary musician Tito Puente to record four successful albums which confirmed and cemented her enormous popularity.

Voted the best singer by the Latin press in 1965 & 1966, La Lupe went on to become one of the top two divas of salsa music (the other was Celia Cruz). It was during these years that she recorded some of her greatest songs, especially those written by Puerto Rican composer C. Curet Alonso, such as "La Tirana" and "Puro Teatro". In the 1970's La Lupe saw her career decline somewhat. First she was banned from television from Puerto Rico after she tore her clothes off during an awards ceremony on national television. Next, her record label, Tico Records, was purchased by Fania Records, and company executives decided to focus their energies on the less controversial Celia Cruz. Although she had several hits during that decade, she slowly faded into obscurity. In the 1980's, La Lupe, retired from the industry, found herself destitute. Her husband's medical bills, her large donations to the African-based religion of "Santeria", and her personal problems often left her and her family homeless. She became paralyzed following a domestic accident and was healed in a Pentecostal church. After this, she converted to Pentecostalism and recorded Christian oriented material in the late 80s. She continued her faith activities by funding a ministry she named La Lupe in Christ which allowed her to preach to Pentecostal communities until her death in 1992.

La Lupe never saw the surge in her popularity after her death, especially after the legendary Spanish director, Pedro Almodovar chose her song, "Puro Teatro," to be the closing song of his Oscar nominated hit film, "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown". Fania re-released her recordings on their Tico labels during that decade, and many of her records went platinum throughout Spain and Latin America. Considered by many to be a combination of Bette Midler meets Judy Garland with a dash of Eartha Kitt, La Lupe's largest fan base is primarily the gay Latin community. Many drag performers imitate her and she is considered to be the Judy Garland of the Spanish-language world due to her torrid love affairs, heavy drug use, poor financial management and her bout with bipolar-ism. Doubtless, La Lupe is one of the most remarkable musical divas the world has ever known.

Félix B. Caignet was born on 31 March 1892 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He was a writer and producer, known for El derecho de nacer (1966), El monstruo en la sombra (1955) and ¿Mujer... o fiera? (1954). He died on 25 May 1976 in Havana, Cuba.

Richard Perez-Peña was born on 26 May 1963 in Santiago, Cuba.

Marcia del Río was born on 20 December 1934 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. She was a writer, known for Nunca te olvidaré (1999), Yo no creo en los hombres (1991) and Duel of Passions (2006). She died on 14 September 2021 in Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico.

Adonis Losada was born on 1 April 1964 in Santiago, Cuba. He is an actor, known for Sábado gigante (1986) and La Guerra de los Sexos (2000).