Jim Viator

For decades, Jim Viator and Robert Landreneau have been involved in Le Théâtre Cadien which produced full length plays in French. Their goal was to bring Cajun French to local communities and to demonstrate pride in the Cajun language and culture by speaking Cajun French in public.

James M. “Jim” Viator was born on February 4, 1947 in the historic part of New Iberia, LA on the Bayou Teche. In 1955, the family moved to the Coteau area of New Iberia. From nine years old, he worked on the farm. In the fourth grade, Viator was discovered speaking French on the school grounds. Because he was raised by his grandmother, French was his first language. The teacher required that Viator write on the chalk board “I will not speak French on the school ground.” After writing about fifty lines the teacher said that it was enough. She explained that the rules were to be followed. She became emotional with tears rolling down her face. She explained to Viator that it breaks her heart to enforce this rule. She said that she was from Church Point, her maiden name was Cormier, and her parents spoke only French.

In 1965, Viator graduated from New Iberia High and in 1970 he graduated from USL (now UL-Lafayette) with degrees in French, Spanish, history, and philosophy.

Over the years, Viator has been involved in cultural affairs promoting our French language and local culture. In 1987, he performed in the “Theâtre Cadien” where–in addition to the acting,–he penned a play titled “Messieurs, Mesdames et mes Chers Amis” which was a tribute to the life of Sen. Dudley J. Leblanc, written in French. As of their induction on July 28, 2025, Viator, along with Robert Landreneau and Richard Landry, were still performing a play titled “Oliver Terrio.” Jim is also involved in the promotion of Spanish culture and language. He is a board member of La Asociacion Espanola de Nueva Iberia, and for five years taught a conversational Spanish class. Jim went to Canada in 1994 for the Congrès mondial acadien and performed theatre, music and other entertainment in French. To promote Spanish culture, Viator went to Spain in 2019 and 2024.

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