Lagniappe

Famous Faces

Leaders and Legends from Iberia Parish

Vivien Thomas

(1910-1985)

Thomas was unable to attend college or earn a medical degree, but this New Iberia native was a pioneer in heart surgery. His work at Johns Hopkins Hospital developing a procedure to correct a type of congenital heart defect earned him a place among the medical community as a true legend.

Natalie Kingston

The cinematographer took home her first Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Anthology Series or Movie in 2024 for her cinematography on the Apple TV+ miniseries “Black Bird.” Kignston has also been dubbed a “rising star” by the American Society of Cinematographers. This New Iberia born artist’s star continues to rise.

George Rodrigue

(1944-2013)

Famous for his Blue Dog paintings, late artist George Rodrigue was born and raised in New Iberia. He is buried in Holy Family Cemetery, and a recreation of his California studio, with all original belongings, is on display at the Bayou Teche Museum. In 2020, an 8-foot Blue Dog sculpture was erected in his honor at the George Rodrigue Park on New Iberia’s Main Street.

Peter Renaday

Born and raised in New Iberia as Pierre Laurent Renoudet, his career spans decades and includes voiceover and acting roles in film, television, albums and theme parks. In addition to dozens of credits with Disney, he also played Master Splinter in the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Bryan Lourd

While many who attended New Iberia Senior High with him saw him star in several high school musicals, Lourd is now a partner and managing director of Creative Artists Agency in Los Angeles – one of the largest talent and sports agencies in the world – where he has represented such talent as Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco

(1942-2019)

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco was the first woman to serve as governor of Louisiana. She is a graduate of Mount Carmel Academy in New Iberia and earned a degree in business education from University of Southwestern Louisiana. Her prolific career in public service culminated in a term as the 54th governor of Louisiana in 2004.

Edward Avery McIlhenny

(1872-1949)

Tabasco is practically synonyms with Iberia Parish, and although E.A. McIlhenny was the third to lead the Tabasco brand (after his father and older brother), he was the first in his family to fully realize its potential. Under his 50-year leadership, the brand rose to global prominence and is today the best known hot sauce in the world.

Eddie Delahoussaye

One of the most successful jockeys in thoroughbred racing history, New Iberian Eddie Delahoussaye has won the Kentucky Derby twice (1982 and 1983), the Preakness Stakes once (1988), and the Belmont Stakes two times (1988 and 1992). With 6,384 total races won, he is the 15th winningest jockey of all time.

James Lee Burke

New York Times bestselling author of nearly 50 novels, two-time winner of the Edgar Award and recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in Fiction, James Lee Burke spent his summers in New Iberia and famously set the town as the backdrop of his Dave Robicheaux series. In 2024, a statue commemorating Burke will be unveiled on Main Street.

Bunk Johnson

(1879-1949)

An early New Orleans jazz trumpet player, Bunk Johnson settled in New Iberia in the mid 30s. He is credited for heavily influencing (and possibly teaching) Louis Armstrong and other jazz legends. He is buried in St. Edward’s Cemetery in New Iberia, and a park and mural on Hopkins Street are dedicated to his memory.

Corey Raymond

Raymond played for LSU as a cornerback before going on to play for the New York Giants and the Detroit Lions. Today he is back in Death Valley as a secondary coach. However his coaching career began in 2003 at his alma mater, New Iberia Senior High, before he moved to coach at Westgate High School.