Arnold Schwarzenegger mourns Marvin Shanken, 'a true original and great friend'
Synopsis
Arnold Schwarzenegger took to X to mourn the death of publisher Marvin Shanken, 83, the man who built Cigar Aficionado against all odds and sparked a global cigar revolution. The tribute from one of Hollywood's biggest names puts a spotlight on a media entrepreneur whose contrarian bet on lifestyle publishing outlasted every sceptic.
Key Takeaways
Marvin Shanken , founder and publisher of Cigar Aficionado , Wine Spectator , and Whisky Advocate , died at the age of 83 on Thursday, 30 October 2026 .
Arnold Schwarzenegger posted a tribute on X (formerly Twitter) , calling Shanken a 'true original' and 'great friend' .
Schwarzenegger credited Shanken with sparking 'a cigar revolution that brought people together all over the world' .
Shanken interviewed high-profile figures including Michael Jordan , Jack Nicholson , Hugh Jackman , Robert De Niro , and Tom Selleck for Cigar Aficionado .
Shanken's passing was confirmed on the Cigar Aficionado website; condolences are with his wife Hazel and family.
Hollywood actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has paid a heartfelt tribute to publisher Marvin Shanken, calling him a 'true original' and a 'great friend' following Shanken's death at the age of 83 on Thursday, 30 October 2026. Schwarzenegger shared the tribute on X (formerly Twitter), posting a throwback photograph of the two together.
Schwarzenegger's Tribute
In his post, Schwarzenegger recalled how Shanken defied conventional wisdom to build a publishing empire rooted in lifestyle and leisure. 'Marvin Shanken was a true original. He took his passion for cigars, wine and the good life and built something the whole world could share. When everyone told him Cigar Aficionado would fail, he did it anyway, and he sparked a cigar revolution that brought people together all over the world,' Schwarzenegger wrote.
The actor added: 'Marvin was a visionary, a champion for charity, and a great friend. My thoughts are with Hazel and the whole family. I'll light up a stogie for Marvin tonight.' The post underscored both the depth of their personal friendship and Shanken's broader cultural legacy.
Who Was Marvin Shanken
Marvin Shanken was the founder and longtime publisher of a celebrated roster of lifestyle publications, including Wine Spectator, Cigar Aficionado, and Whisky Advocate. Cigar Aficionado, launched against significant scepticism from industry observers, became one of the most recognisable lifestyle magazines in the world, dedicating itself to the art of the 'good life' and the culture of cigars.
Shanken was also renowned for securing interviews with some of the most high-profile public figures of his era for the pages of Cigar Aficionado, including Schwarzenegger himself, as well as Michael Jordan, Jack Nicholson, Hugh Jackman, Robert De Niro, and Tom Selleck. His ability to attract global icons across sport, film, and culture spoke to the reach and prestige he built over decades.
Announcement and Condolences
Shanken's passing was confirmed through a notice published on the official Cigar Aficionado website. Schwarzenegger's tribute was among the first prominent public acknowledgements of his death. Condolences are being directed to his wife Hazel and the broader Shanken family.
A Publishing Legacy That Outlasted the Sceptics
Shanken's career is a notable case study in contrarian entrepreneurship. When he launched Cigar Aficionado, critics doubted the viability of a niche premium lifestyle title. The magazine not only survived but helped ignite a mainstream cigar renaissance in the 1990s, elevating cigars from a fringe habit to a globally recognised symbol of celebration and camaraderie. His portfolio of publications collectively helped legitimise premium lifestyle journalism as a distinct and commercially durable genre.
Point of View
Building a portfolio that outlasted dozens of better-funded rivals. Schwarzenegger's tribute is genuine — they shared decades of friendship — but it also points to how Cigar Aficionado occupied a unique cultural niche, gathering celebrities and tastemakers who rarely sat for the same table elsewhere. What Shanken understood, and what many digital-era publishers have failed to replicate, is that lifestyle journalism built around authentic passion and access has a durable commercial logic that trend-chasing never does.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Marvin Shanken?
Marvin Shanken was an American publisher and founder of iconic lifestyle titles including Cigar Aficionado, Wine Spectator, and Whisky Advocate. He died on 30 October 2026 at the age of 83, with his passing confirmed on the Cigar Aficionado website.
What did Arnold Schwarzenegger say about Marvin Shanken?
Schwarzenegger posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Shanken was 'a true original' who 'sparked a cigar revolution that brought people together all over the world', and called him 'a visionary, a champion for charity, and a great friend'.
What was Marvin Shanken best known for?
Shanken was best known for founding Cigar Aficionado, a magazine he launched despite widespread industry scepticism, which went on to spark a mainstream cigar renaissance in the 1990s. He also published Wine Spectator and Whisky Advocate and was known for interviewing celebrities such as Michael Jordan, Jack Nicholson, and Robert De Niro.
Who are Marvin Shanken's survivors?
According to Schwarzenegger's tribute, Shanken is survived by his wife Hazel and his family. No further details on survivors were included in the announcement.
Where was Marvin Shanken's death announced?
The death of Marvin Shanken was officially announced on the Cigar Aficionado website, the publication he founded. Arnold Schwarzenegger's tribute on X was one of the first prominent public acknowledgements.
