Tributes pour in for Louisiana cultural icon. Who was Pableaux Johnson?

Pableaux Johnson died Sunday at the age of 59 on Jan. 26, 2025 after collapsing while he was photographing the Ladies and Men of Unity second-line parade in New Orleans.

Johnson, who was born on Jan. 8, 1966 in New Iberia, was an American writer, photographer, filmmaker, cook and designer based in New Orleans.

Who was Pableaux Johnson?

Johnson has published four books, predominately about New Orleans culture. Johnson has also written for numerous publications, such as The New York Times, Southern Living, The Kitchn, Saveur, Imbibe and many more.

Johnson’s photography has been exhibited in a number of museums and galleries around the U.S., as well as published in magazines and on websites, and these photographs feature New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians and second-line parades.

Additionally, Johnson ran the Red Beans Road Show for several years, which was a traveling production that brought New Orleans cuisine to various “pop-up” events in restaurants around the country.

Johnson was also credited as a co-producer and still photographer for two companion documentary films about New Orleans Mardi Gras Indians, “The Spirit Leads My Needle: The Big Chiefs of Carnival” and “It’s Your Glory: The Big Queens of Carnival.”

Louisiana reacts to Pableaux Johnson’s passing

Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com