Mardi Gras celebrity kings

Actor and comedian Will Ferrell tosses beads and doubloons to fans as he reigns as King of Bacchus in the 2012 Krewe of Bacchus Parade on Feb. 19, 2012, in New Orleans.

The Krewe of Bacchus parade was founded in 1968 by business leaders in New Orleans hoping to revitalize Carnival. Keep clicking to see other "kings."

Pictures: Celebs at Mardi Gras 2012

Andy Garcia

Actor Andy Garcia headed up the 2011 parade, which featured the theme, "Bacchus Salutes America's Greatest Generation."

The parade is held every year around Mardi Gras in February.

Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees presided over the 2010 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Val Kilmer

Actor Val Kilmer reigned as the 2009 king of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus. He rode in the parade and attended the Bacchus ball.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan throws doubloons during the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on Feb. 3, 2008.

James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini served as king of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus in 2007.

Michael Keaton

Actor Michael Keaton throws some beads as he rides with the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade in the Uptown area of New Orleans on Feb. 26, 2006.

Sean Astin

Sean Astin reigned as the 2005 king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

Elijah Wood

Elijah Wood headed up the 2004 parade, dubbed "Bacchus Magical Mystical Tour."

John Lovitz

John Lovitz presided over the 2003 parade in New Orleans.

Nicholas Cage

Nicholas Cage presided over the 2002 parade in New Orleans.

Larry King

Larry King looks proud to be king of the 2001 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Luke Perry

Luke Perry -- far from his "90210" days -- served as king of the 2000 Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Jim Belushi

Jim Belushi served as king of the 1999 Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Drew Carey

Drew Carey served as king over the 1998 Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

Tom Arnold

Tom Arnold was the 1997 king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

Dick Clark

It's good to be king -- Dick Clark was the 1996 king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

John Larroquette

John Larroquette served as the 1995 monarch of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

Jean Claude Van-Damme

Jean Claude Van-Damme was chosen to lead the 1994 Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans during Mardi Gras.

Harry Connick, Jr.

New Orleans native Harry Connick, Jr. was chosen to lead the 1993 Krewe of Bacchus parade in during Mardi Gras. He founded his own Mardi Gras parade shortly after that -- the Krewe of Orpheus, which still exists today.

Gerald McRaney

Gerald McRaney reigned over the 1992 Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

Steve Guttenberg

Actor-comedian Steve Guttenberg reigned over the 1991 Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans.

Dennis Quaid

Dennis Quaid rode in the 1990 Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal had his turn as king of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus parade in 1989.

Alan Thicke

Alan Thicke reigned over the 1988 Mardi Gras Krewe of Bacchus parade.

William Shatner

William Shatner hopped on the 1987 Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras.

John Ritter

In 1986, it was John Ritter's chance to lead the Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras.

Lorne Greene

Canadian actor and musician Lorne Greene was the Krewe of Bacchus monarch in 1985.

Kirk Douglas

In 1984, veteran actor Kirk Douglas reigned over the Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Charlton Heston

Charlton Heston sported some fur when he served as the 1983 monarch of the Krewe of Bacchus Mardi Gras parade.

Dom Delouise

Dom Delouise was the 1982 Krewe of Bacchus monarch.

Sgt. John McKeel, Jr.

A non-celebrity headed up the 1981 Krewe of Bacchus parade. Sgt. John McKeel, Jr. was one of 52 Americans held hostage after the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Iran.

Pete Fountain

New Orleans-based clarinetist Pete Fountain served as the 1980 monarch in the Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Ron Howard

Can you spot Ron Howard's bright red hair when he served as king of the 1979 Krewe of Bacchus parade? He's pictured here in New Orleans with his fellow "Happy Days" cast members.

Ed McMahon

Ed McMahon looked very regal during his turn as monarch of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in New Orleans back in 1978.

Henry Winkler

A couple of years before his "Happy Days" co-star Ron Howard served as the 1977 Krewe of Bacchus monarch, "The Fonz" Henry Winkler had his turn -- and by the looks of this photo, it appears as though he had a good time.

Perry Como

Singer and TV personality Perry Como served as king of the 1976 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Jackie Gleason

Jackie Gleason was all smiles during the 1975 Krewe of Bacchus parade during Mardi Gras.

Glen Campbell

Country singer-guitarist Glen Campbell was king of the Krewe of Bacchus parade in 1974.

Bob Hope

Bob Hope takes it all in as he reigned over the 1973 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Phil Harris

Singer-actor Phil Harris rode in the 1972 Krewe of Bacchus parade.

Jim Nabors

Actor-singer Jim Nabors was the 1971 Krewe of Bacchus king.

Raymond Burr

Canadian actor Raymond Burr was one of the first monarchs to serve in the Krewe of Bacchus parade -- 1970.

Danny Kaye

Actor-singer-comedian Danny Kaye was the first-ever celebrity to ride in the Krewe of Bacchus parade in 1969.