Justin Wilson(1914-2001)
- Writer
- Actor
"Cajun" humorist Wilson (who described himself as part-Cajun) was born
in Roseland in Tangipahoa Parish, near the Mississippi border.
Originally an itinerant safety engineer, he often encountered Cajuns
during his travels, and developed a talent for telling Cajun jokes and
stories. Wilson's first album of Cajun humor sold over a million
copies; he went on to release more than two dozen additional albums. He
wrote three comedic books: Justin Wilson's Cajun Humor (1974), Justin
Wilson's Cajun Fables (1982), and More Cajun Humor (1984). Wilson also
excelled as a chef, and hosted a popular cooking show on public
television. Over the years he issued several cookbooks, including The
Justin Wilson Cook Book (1965), The Justin Wilson #2 Cookbook: Cookin'
Cajun (1979), The Justin Wilson Gourmet and Gourmand Cookbook (1984),
Justin Wilson's Outdoor Cooking with Inside Help (1986), and Justin
Wilson Looking Back: A Cajun Cookbook (1997). Despite his national
popularity, Wilson angered some South Louisianians with his
stereotypical portrayal of a poorly educated Cajun who spoke
substandard English.