Xavier Cugat
Biography
Xavier Cugat was a Spanish-born American bandleader, violinist, and caricaturist who helped spread Latin music in the United States. He studied classical violin and played in a silent movie theater as a child, later playing first violin with the Teatro Nacional Symphonic Orchestra. After arriving in New York City in 1915, he worked as a violinist, then went to Los Angeles, where he drew caricatures for the Los Angeles Times and formed a band. He led the Waldorf-Astoria hotel's resident orchestra from 1933 to 1949 and became known as the Rumba King. His recordings included the 1940 hit Perfidia and Brazil, a chart hit in 1943. He appeared in films such as Go West Young Man (1936), You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Bathing Beauty (1944), A Date with Judy (1948), Neptune's Daughter (1949), and Chicago Syndicate (1955). In 1960 he received two Hollywood Walk of Fame stars, and in 2001 the International Latin Music Hall of Fame inducted him posthumously.
90years old at death
- Born Girona
- Died Barcelona
- Star sign: CapricornThe sign runs December 22 to January 19
- Francesc d'AssÃs Xavier Cugat Mingall de Bru i Deulofeu (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 35 years1921 to 1956
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A first
Xavier Cugat played on WDY radio in Camden, N.J., in 1921. He was among the earliest solo musicians to perform on the radio.
First role
Cugat studied classical violin and, at nine years old, played violin in a silent movie theater to help cover the cost of his education.
A change of course
Cugat's classical violin career did not go as he had hoped, so around 1924-1925 he took a job as a caricaturist for the Los Angeles Times. His caricatures were syndicated across the country.
Xavier Cugat movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
Most often with
George Sidney directed two of these films. Bess Flowers appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Bess Flowers's page
Wallace Beery's page
Richard H. Cutting's page
Red Skelton's page
Edward Connelly's page
Esther Williams's page
All films by George Sidney
Awards
Two awards and honors.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1990 | Saint George's Cross | Won | |
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.