Profiles

Civil Rights hero:

Ruby Bridges

Celebrity, actor and actress profiles:

Jensen Ackles (as Bacchus, a Carnival king), Harry Shearer, Melissa Leo, Linda Hamilton, Cleo Wade, Candace Bushnell (panel discussion), David Morse, Eric Overmyer (executive producer of “Treme,” “Law & Order,” “Bosch”), Elizabeth Ashley, Tab Hunter, Bryan Batt, Bre-Z, Victoria Rowell, Denzel Washington (Dillard University commencement), Hoda Kotb and Jenna Hager (“Today” show in New Orleans), Reagan Charleston (“Southern Charm New Orleans”), Anthony Laciura (“Boardwalk Empire”), Troy Landry (“Swamp Men”), Christian J. LeBlanc (“The Young & Restless”) and real-estate developer and reality show celebrity “The Deed” Sidney D. Torres IV

Artists/artisans/creatives:

Artists Sydney Byrd, Lin Emery, Mary McCartney, and Terrance Osborne; jeweler Mignon Faget; Flavor Paper founder Jon Sherman; collector Roger Ogden; burlesque queen and producer Trixie Minx; decorators mother and daughter Penny Francis and Casi Francis St. Julian.

Authors:

Rick Bragg, Douglas Brinkley, Michael Lewis, Lolis Eric Elie, Nick Spitzer, John Patrick Shanley

Sports profiles:

Jockey Rosie Napravnik; Football (New Orleans Saints): Coaches: Sean Payton, Greg Williams; General Manager Mickey Loomis; former owner Rita Benson LeBlanc; players Garrett Hartley, Roman Harper, Deuce McAllister, Lance Moore, Thomas Morstead, Bobby McCray; Control booth (and siblings): home game announcer Mark Romig, offense spotter Mary Beth Romig and Saints Administrative Director Jay Romig; Basketball (New Orleans Hornets): Coach Monty Williams; players Austin Rivers and Greivis Vasquez; Tulane football and baseball: Football: Coach Bob Toledo (2009); Baseball: Rick Jones (2008)

Food and Cocktails:

Linda Green, the Ya Ka Mein Lady; Ella Brennan, the late owner of Commander’s Palace; Nash Laurent, maitre’d at Clancy’s’ Robert LeBlanc, restaurateur, Smith + LeBlanc group; Elsa Hahne, author of “You Are Where You Eat: Stories and Recipes from the Neighborhoods of New Orleans” and “The Gravy: In the Kitchen with New Orleans Musicians”; Carousel Bar head bartender Marvin Allen

Music:

Chris Thomas King, Quint Davis, Boz Scaggs (Jazz Fest), Steve Miller Band (Jazz Fest), Kermit Ruffins, DJ Soul Sister, Wanda Rouzan, Meschiya Lake, Banu Gibson, Theresa Andersson, Vince Vance, Amanda Shaw (2009 and 2019), Deacon John Moore, Anais Patterson, LPO music director conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto; Jazz Fest Gentilly Stage Manager Gregory Miller; and Jazz Fest Stage Managers Chuck Blamphin (Fais-Do-Do stage) and Jim “Boa” Olander (Blues tent)

Carnival:

Kings of Zulu: Larry Hammond, 2007; Frank Boutté, 2008; Tyrone Mathieu Sr., 2009; Jimmie L. Felder, 2010; Anthony “Tony” Barker, 2011; Elroy James, 2012; Cedric George Givens, 2013; Captain of Rex (a secret identity); Queens of Carnival: Carroll Irene Gelderman, 2014; Charlotte Lane Langenstein, 2015; Adelaide Dabezies Goodyear, 2016; Anna Eugenie Huger, 2017; Sarah Jane Holbrook Freeman, 2018; and Britt Johnsen, 2019.

Politicians and university executives:

Junior Rodriguez, St. Bernard Parish President (during Hurricane Katrina); Jay Dardenne, Louisiana Lt. Governor (2013); Olivier Brochenin, Consul General of France in New Orleans: Tim Ryan, University of New Orleans Chancellor (2008); Peter Fos, University of New Orleans President (2012); Jackie Brechtel Clarkson, New Orleans City Councilwoman; Audubon Nature Institute President and CEO Ron Forman (he also ran for Mayor of New Orleans); NOMCVB (now New Orleans & Co.) President/CEO Stephen Perry, and NOTMC (now part of New Orleans & Co.) President Mark Romig

New Orleans tv and radio

Angela Hill, WWL-TV anchor and animal activist; Sally-Ann Roberts, WWL-TV morning show co-anchor; Karen Swenson, WWL-TV anchor and reporter; Bill Capo, WWL-TV News Action reporter; Lee Zurik, WWL-TV anchor and reporter (now at WVUE/Fox 8); Bob Breck, WVUE/Fox 8 chief meteorologist; Dawn Brown, WWL-TV meteorologist; John “Spud” McConnell, actor and former host of “The Spud Show” on WWL-AM radio.

Other profiles:

Philanthropist Phyllis Taylor; Pediatrician and King of Carnival 2017 Dr. Stephen Hales; auctioneer Chuck Mutz; LA/SPCA Executive Director Ana Zorrilla; Pontchartrain Vineyards owner John Vincent Seago; Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation Executive Director Carlton Dufrechou; Archdiocese of New Orleans Fr. William F. Maestri.