Born: January 1, 1900
Died: October 27, 1990
Aged: 90 years of heart failure
Real Name: Francisco De Asis Javier Cugat Mingall De Brue Y Deulofeu (whew!)
Married: 4 times maybe 5:)-Charro-last wife (Goochi, Goochi, Goo)
Affairs: Oh my-did he ever
Famous Family: Niece-Margo (dancer/actress married Eddie Albert)
Famous Friend: Enrico Caruso
A lover of life, women and music who always had a Chihuahua on his arm and popularized Latin music. He was born in Spain but his family moved to Havana, Cuba when he was 5. He learned to play the violin and was considered a child prodigy. He was so good that Enrico Caruso hired him to play first violin when he was still a young boy and they became friends. He moved to the United States to play music but he didn't want to be a starving artist so he got a job as a caricaturist for the L. A. Times. He did not give up music though and had a Latin relief band at the Cocoanut Grove with his niece Margo as the main dancer. The manager of the Waldorf-Astoria saw Margo so he signed her and Cugat came along with the deal. Over the years he rose in ranks to become the star band playing popular Latin numbers, dressing the band members in Latin-American outfits, the women in seductive dresses and he, having the time of his life. He became a hit on the radio and was a household name. He ventured to Hollywood appearing as himself in many Latin style films that were popular for the day often in Esther Williams films. He loved women, had many affairs and was in the headlines often because his wives would often have him followed and found in ...er....compromising positions. Except for Charro, the other marriages did not end on a friendly note although he stated he would never change a thing and would marry them all over again:)
Films: "Weekend At The Waldorf", "On An Island With You", " A Date With Judy", "Neptune's Daughter"
Quote: "I would rather play 'Chiquita Banana' and have a swimming pool than play Bach and starve" (he had a swimming pool:))
Any film you see with him is great really:)
Wow, that's alot of marriages. Interesting story. Honestly don't know that I ever saw him in anything, though I know the name.
ReplyDeletelSandy at Bridge and Beyond
Oh he was a randy dandy who loved women.
DeleteI didn't think there would be any X movie stars - wrong again!
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
Adventures of a retired librarian
The are tough to come by! He seemed like a fun one to do who had a fun life
DeleteI was hoping you would feature Cugie. I adored him. I liked wife number 4 - Abbe Lane. So talented. Charo was a ditz. I'm going to have to go online and see what movies are available.
ReplyDeleteGood that you know him and his wives. Poor Charo-she actually is a talented guitarist but you are right, she is a ditz
DeleteI LOVE his quote!! In fact, I think I'll share that quote. It's awesome.
ReplyDeletePrecious Monsters
Glad you love the quote...so do I:)
DeleteSure sounds like he got around and around and around. Never knew of him though at my sea
ReplyDeleteOh he loved life in all forms:) He is also not a sad case:) He loved life
DeleteHi, BB! This is an excellent choice for your X topic. I'm old enough to remember Xavier Cugat as one of the big names in entertainment during my childhood. Later on, it was his 5th wife, the Spanish spark plug Charo, who kept him in play by referring to him and telling funny stories about their marriage on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and other programs. Xavier appears as himself and performs with his orchestra in two of my favorite Jane Powell movies, Holiday in Mexico and A Date With Judy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday to you, dear Birgit!
Oh I was young but I remember her on Johnny Carson:) I have not seen Holiday in Mexico but do love A Date With Judy. I enjoy always watching this man and would have loved to have seen him in concert
DeleteOMG, I love that you chose him! What a long and...fun life indeed!
ReplyDeleteOh he loved life, women and song...maybe not in that order but he had fun!
DeleteAnd he lived to a nice old age. That's nice to see. :)
ReplyDeleteHe did and loved every minute of it
DeleteHe looks so familiar, but I just can't place him. I'm not sure I remember any of those movies - maybe Neptune?
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com/
I think if you would see him with his orchestra you would remember
DeleteHe and Charro were quite the couple! You couldn't help but enjoy seeing them on stage.
ReplyDeleteWell she was goochi but also an accomplished guitarist
DeleteI was WONDERING how you were going to take on 'X.' Now I know!
ReplyDeleteYes the X's are difficult
DeleteThis one I know, LOL, only because of his last wife :)
ReplyDeleteTwo more letters!
betty
Yup and we all love Charo
DeleteI love cool and famous music scores like these. The guys a legend.
ReplyDeleteHe was great and fun!
DeleteThere were a lot of 'guys' like him in those golden years. I think it was expected that actors and band leaders be 'great' lovers and multiple affairs. Of course, I don't think multiple affairs necessarily insure the rep of 'great' lover except perhaps in their minds, lol!
ReplyDeleteSia McKye Over Coffee
Isn't that the truth! He just loved women and all the fun
DeleteI actually remember Charo much more, who by the way is an amazing guitarist.
ReplyDeleteStephen Tremp
A-Z Co-host
X is for Xenoglossy
She is! I think she is great and wish more people knew how well she can play
DeleteI've not heard of him before, but wow! What a memorable name! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCait @ Click's Clan
Yup! Great name and he is fun
DeleteHe came here and took advantage of everything America had to offer. Including her women.
ReplyDeleteDid he ever and had tons of fun
DeleteAww. That's so cute that he took chihuahuas everywhere with him.
ReplyDeleteHe loved those dogs and always had one in his arm while conducting the band
DeleteI always enjoyed his music, I didn't know much about him or his lifestyle though.
ReplyDeleteHe was a lover of life and that is actually what is nice and I enjoyed his music too
DeleteI remember watching Charo on all the old variety shows. Was wonderful to watch those.
ReplyDeleteOh she was everywhere back in the day
DeleteReally interesting stuff. And he lived long and didn't die of cancer!
ReplyDeleteThat's right! He had a fun life, enjoyed every moment and died a happy man
DeleteI saw a movie a few months ago in which a teenage girl fell in love with him. It was a funny and fun movie. The girl changed her mind when Cugat introduced her to his grandchildren. Was he relieved that the girl lost interest in him.
ReplyDeleteOh I wonder which film that is. It sounds familiar. I think that would dissuade me too.
DeleteWhat a cad, but apparently....a likeable one. I didn't know he'd been married to Charro!
ReplyDeleteOh he was a cad but he had so much fun and was quite likable
DeleteYep, he looks familiar. Too bad he was such a cad.
ReplyDeleteWell you just make sure to have him as a friend and slap his hands when he gets too close:)
DeleteHe lived a long and full life.
ReplyDeleteThat he did!
DeleteAnother one I never heard of. Boy, what a name. Poor man. Can you imagine learning all that as a child?
ReplyDeleteSunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
Hahahaaa-I don't think one could remember that. It is a bit too long:)
DeleteWow he lived a long life! I don't believe I've seen any of his movie but he sounds very charming.
ReplyDeleteOh he was a charmer:) His wives and paramours can tell you:)
DeleteBut would his wives all marry him again? I remember seeing him on a TV special or talk show with Charro in the late 60s /early 70s...
ReplyDeleteOh no they would not marry him again...that is certain
DeleteHe always seem so exotic and international...but with a name like Xavier, how could you not?
ReplyDeleteThat is very true:)
DeleteAll the womanizing served him well - he lived a long and happy life.
ReplyDeleteYou have me wondering about Charro. Is she still alive? I'll go look her up.
Fun-filled post as always, Birgit.
Yup she is still alive and still goochie gooing
DeleteLove his real name and his Chihuahua!
ReplyDeleteI knew nothing about him other than he was married to Charro, who could play a guitar like nobody's business.
ReplyDeleteI am amazed that he always had a chihuahua on his arm. He is another actor who is new to me. :)
ReplyDelete~Jess
I wonder if Charro ever brought him on the Love Boat with her. Surely he would've made a play for Julie McCoy, and Doc would've gone after Charro. I love the old Esther Williams movies. She always looked gorgeous in and out of the water. This was fun, Birgit!
ReplyDeleteJulie