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2-25-2009 4:08 AM
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merrie says:
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- With a brass band playing in the background, actor Val Kilmer signed autographs Friday for patients at Children's Hospital in New Orleans and handed out doubloons — popular souvenir coins thrown from floats during Carnival.

Kilmer, this year's King of Bacchus, is one of a host of celebrities in town for the big weekend leading up to Mardi Gras. Kilmer got the good times rolling with the visit to Louisiana's only full-service hospital dedicated to treating children.

It's a tradition held by every reigning Bacchus for more than 25 years.

"It's so exciting to be back in New Orleans," Kilmer said as he scribbled his autograph on a piece of paper. He recalled the weeks he spent in the city in 2006 for the filming of the movie "Deja Vu," which also starred Oscar winner Denzel Washington and Paula Patton.

"We had so much fun, blowing stuff up," Kilmer said, referring to a scene in the movie in which a ferry is blown up on the Mississippi River.

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2-25-2009 4:10 AM
merrie
On a more serious note, Kilmer said he is happy to see that after more than two years, the city and its people have come a long way in their recovery from Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

"There's such a great spirit among the people here," he said. "They are so real, so authentic, and it's lovely to be able to be around people who have that authenticity to them."

Though more than a dozen celebrities will be in town through Fat Tuesday, Kilmer has one of the busiest schedules. As Bacchus, he will be attending costume fittings and a private party in his honor, riding in the...
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