THE SOPRANOS star JAMES GANDOLFINI has signed up to appear as a celebrity king during next year's (07) carnival season in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Gandolfini fell in love with New Orleans when he shot scenes for ALL THE KING'S MEN there and has teamed up with the Krewe Of Bacchus to help the Hurricane Katrina-ravaged city.
Gandolfini will follow in the footsteps of WILLIAM SHATNER, BOB HOPE, NICOLAS CAGE, KIRK DOUGLAS and CHARLTON HESTON by playing King Bacchus at the 18 February (07) parade, which takes place two days before the city's world famous Mardi Gras celebrations.
PIP BRENNAN, captain of the Krewe Of Bacchus, says, "He fell in love with our city and he wants to do a lot to help us get back on our feet."