Dave Petitjean

{{Infobox person |name=Dave Petitjean |image= |caption= |birth_name=Joseph Dave Petitjean, Jr. |birth_date={{birth date|1928|1|11}} |birth_place=Rayne, Louisiana |death_date={{Death date and age|2013|6|18|1928|1|11}} |death_place=Lafayette, Louisiana |known_for=Cajun entertainer and humorist }} '''Joseph Dave Petitjean Jr.''' (January 11, 1928 – June 18, 2013) was an American actor and humorist of Cajun stories. Born in 1928<ref>[http://www.memorialsolutions.com/sitemaker/sites/GEESEY1/memsol.cgi?user_id=1016268 Joseph Dave Petitjean, Jr. Life Legacy]</ref> in Rayne, Louisiana, he attended college at Louisiana State University at the age of 16, before joining the United States Navy and serving aboard the {{USS|Estes|AGC-12|6}} command ship during World War II.<ref name=Source1/><ref name=Source2/> After the war, Petitjean studied agriculture at Southwest Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette). He graduated and worked for a local chemical company, from which he retired 25 years later. He then worked for an insurance company until retiring in 2000.<ref name=Source1/><ref name=Source2/>

It was during his years working for these companies that he began performing. His acting credits include appearances in 14 movies and television series, including the films ''Belizaire the Cajun'', ''The Big Easy'', ''Angel Heart'' and the television series ''In the Heat of the Night''.<ref name=Source1/><ref name=Source2/> He also recorded three compact discs and made nearly 50 motivational speaking engagements across the United States.

Late in life, he developed Alzheimer's disease and had to retire from performing. Petitjean died on June 18, 2013, at the age of 85. He is survived by his wife Audrey and sons Joseph and George.<ref name=Source1>[http://acadiaparishtoday.com/view/full_story/22933805/article-Services-Friday-for-Cajun-humorist-Dave-Petitjean?instance=secondary_sports_left_column Services Friday for Cajun humorist Dave Petitjean] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130624212825/http://acadiaparishtoday.com/view/full_story/22933805/article-Services-Friday-for-Cajun-humorist-Dave-Petitjean?instance=secondary_sports_left_column |date=2013-06-24 }}, acadiaparishtoday.com.</ref><ref name=Source2>Fuselier, Herman. [http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130619/NEWS01/306190004/Cajun-humorist-Dave-Petitjean-dies Cajun humorist Dave Petitjean dies] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130624212911/http://www.theadvertiser.com/article/20130619/NEWS01/306190004/Cajun-humorist-Dave-Petitjean-dies |date=2013-06-24 }}, theadvertiser.com.</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|0677643}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Petitjean, Dave}} Category:1928 births Category:2013 deaths Category:People from Rayne, Louisiana Category:Male actors from Louisiana Category:United States Navy sailors Category:University of Louisiana at Lafayette alumni Category:Deaths from Alzheimer's disease in Louisiana Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II