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.
2024
2023
2021
2018
2017
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
2015
Robert De Niro 
2014
Facundo Bacardi
Marvin R. Shanken sat down with Michael Jordan for the second time in 2017 at the Bear's Club in Jupiter, Florida. The two talked about Cuba, cigars, golf and much more.
2008
Arnon Milchan 
2005
Michael Jordan (first interview) 
2003
Francis Ford Coppola 
Marvin R. Shanken in Napa, California, with legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, revealing the secrets of the epic “Godfather” movies.
1998
Carlos Fuente Jr., Arturo Fuente Cigars
1997
Stanford Newman, J.C. Newman
1996
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.
1995
Pedro Perez, Tabacalera
Ron Perelman
1994
Francisco Padron, Cubatabaco
Edgar M. Cullman Sr., Culbro Corp
1993
Francisco Padron, Cubatabaco
