The news was confirmed by his brother, the current president Raul Castro, on Saturday. The great leader was also a subject of fascination for Hollywood.
Here are some experiences of Hollywood luminaries with the recently deceased revolutionary leader.
Steven Spielberg, the critically acclaimed film director accepted an invitation in 2002 from Cuba’s film institute to attend a Cuban film festival featuring Spielberg’s work which is rare sign from Cuba's part to actually promote anything close to America.
Jack Nicholson visited the island country in 1998 and was followed by the Cuban intelligence. Nicholson said “he [Castro] is a genius. We spoke about everything.”
Actor Jack Lemmon was also praised by the Castro government at his death for being “a friend of Cuba.”
Oliver Stone was widely criticised for a 2003 documentary about Castro, Comandante, that allowed the dictator to tell his story his own way. Stone called Castro, “very selfless and moral. One of the world’s wisest men.”
Kevin Costner went to Cuba in 2001 to preview his film 13 Days at a private screening for Castro: “It was an experience of a lifetime to sit only a few feet away from him and watch him relive an experience he lived as a very young man,” he said at a press conference at the time.
“I’m so nervous and flustered because I can’t believe I have met him. He said that seeing us in person was very spiritual,” Campbell spoke of her 1999 visit to Cuba with fellow model Kate Moss.
