Legendary Oscar-winning actor Marlon Brando was also an amateur drummer, as well as an inventor with four patents to his credit, including one for tuning conga drums.



In 2002, Marlon Brando was awarded the first of four patents for various parts of his design. His system would have replaced the five or six bolts around the head of the conga with a linkage system connected to a single tuning lever. But Marlon Brando died in 2004, and efforts at licensing the design to manufacturers came to a halt.



The design became something of an urban legend among Latin percussionists.



In 1953 Marlon Brando played congas with jazz drummer Jack Costanzo on national television during a Edward R. Murrow interview.