PATRICIA CLARKSON - CLARKSON TO RECEIVE TOP NEW ORLEANS HONOUR

Two-time Emmy Award winner PATRICIA CLARKSON has been named the 2007 celebrity monarch for the Krewe Of Orpheus parade in New Orleans, Louisiana. A celebrity is chosen each year to lead the parade - founded by HARRY CONNICK JR - and past monarchs have included WHOOPI GOLDBERG, GLENN CLOSE, STEVIE WONDER, TOBY KEITH and JAMES BROWN. Clarkson and Connick Jr are both natives of New Orleans. Krewe's captain SONNY BOREY says, "As our city rebuilds and rediscovers itself, it could not be more fitting that Patricia Clarkson be honoured by the Krewe Of Orpheus and our city." The SIX FEET UNDER star will lead 30 floats in the parade, which is scheduled for 19 February (07), one day before Mardi Gras celebrations on 20 February (07).