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 honored by the Krewe Of Orpheus and our city."

The star will lead 30 floats in the parade, which is scheduled for February 19, one day before Mardi Gras celebrations on February 20.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)