See the first 50 names honored on the New Orleans Walk of Fame

In honor of New Orleans’ rich cultural heritage, the city opened its first Walk of Fame along Canal Street. The first batch of honorees, who will be remembered with distinctive fleur-de-lis plaques, will present flowers to a healthy mix of musicians, athletes, business icons and community leaders. This initiative, spearheaded by New Orleans hip-hop mogul Percy “Master P” Miller, aims to commemorate the diverse influences that have shaped the city’s identity.

Master P, who was named New Orleans’ official entertainment ambassador by Mayor LaToya Cantrell in August, envisions the Walk of Fame (similar to Hollywood’s famous walk) as a lasting tribute to New Orleans residents who have made a lasting impression . Local artist Brandan “BMIKE” Odums designed the inaugural plaque that will be installed in front of Saks Fifth Avenue department store on Canal Street before Christmas. The remaining 49 plaques will be installed by February 6, 2025, just days before New Orleans hosts Super Bowl LIX.

The first 50 honorees of the New Orleans Walk of Fame

This diverse list showcases the city’s “heritage of innovation, resilience and creativity.” The first 50 to receive plaques include:

Music legends

Icons like Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Irma Thomas, Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty represent the city’s world-famous musical heritage. Rising stars and genre pioneers such as Big Freedia, Lil Wayne and Jon Batiste will also be honored.

Sports figures

Family football standouts Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning join New Orleans Honorary Player Drew Brees and Marshall Faulk. Meanwhile, NBA stars Avery Johnson and Clyde Drexler represent basketball excellence associated with the city.

Economic pioneers

The list includes notable entrepreneurs such as Al Copeland, founder of Popeyes, Todd Graves of Raising Cane’s, and Gayle and Tom Benson, who helped shape New Orleans’ economic landscape and sports culture.

Arts and entertainment

Actors and entertainers such as Reese Witherspoon, Ellen DeGeneres, Anthony Mackie and Wendell Pierce showcase New Orleans’ contribution to film and television.

Civic leaders and visionaries

Activist Oretha Castle Haley, political figures Ernest “Dutch” Morial, Marc Morial and Cedric Richmond, and education advocate Norman Francis are just a few on the walk that embodies the city’s commitment to civil rights, politics and education.

As the countdown to Super Bowl LIX approaches, this Walk of Fame initiative highlights New Orleans’ contributions to art, sports and civic life and adds a new landmark to one of the city’s most famous streets. The Fleur-de-Lis plaques are a lovely local touch and will be interesting for both visitors and locals to visit and perhaps even learn more about the city’s history and influence.

Complete list of the first 50 New Orleans Walk of Fame honorees:

1. Aaron Neville, musician
2. AP Tureaud, lawyer
3. Al Copeland, restaurateur
4. Allen Toussaint, musician
5. Allison “Tootie” Montana, Mardi Gras Indian
6. Anthony Mackie, actor
7. Archie Manning, athlete
8. Avery Johnson, athlete
9. Big Freedia, musician
10. Blaine Kern “Mr. Mardi Gras,” businessman
11. Bryan “Birdman” Williams and Ronald “Slim” Williams, musicians
12. Bryant Gumbel, journalist
13. Carl Weathers, actor
14. Cedric Richmond, politician
15. Clyde Drexler, athlete
16. Khaled Mohammed Khaled “DJ Khaled”, musician
17. Drew Christopher Brees (Honorary Member), athlete
18. Eli Manning, athlete
19. Ella Brennan, restaurateur
20. Ellen DeGeneres, comedian
21. Ernest “Dutch” Morial, politician
22. Fats Domino, musician
23. Gayle Benson, businesswoman
24. Harry Connick, Jr., musician
25. Irma Thomas, musician
26. Jon Batiste, musician
27. John Georges, businessman
28. Leah Chase, restaurateur
29. Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. “Lil Wayne,” musician
30. Louis Armstrong, musician
31. LaToya Cantrell (Honorary Candidate), politician
32. Malcolm “Dr. John” Rebennack, Jr., musician
33. Marc Morial, politician
34. Marshall Faulk, athlete
35. Mahalia Jackson, singer
36. Mia Young “Mia X”, musician
37. Moon Landrieu, politician
38. Norman Francis, educator
39. Oretha Castle Haley, activist
40. Percy “Master P” Miller, musician
41. Pete Fountain, musician
42. Peyton Manning, athlete
43. Reese Witherspoon, actress
44. Revius Ortique, Jr., Judge
45. Sidney Torres, businessman
46. ​​Trombone Shorty, musician
47. Troy Carter, politician
48. Todd Graves, businessman
49. Tom Benson, businessman
50. Tyler Perry, filmmaker
51. Wendell Pierce, actor
52. William Goldring, philanthropist
53. Wynton Marsalis, musician

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