James Rogers

James Rogers
James and Tiana
First Appearance	The Princess and the Frog (2009)
Attractions	Critter Co-Op Tiana's Bayou Adventure Tiana's Palace
Actor	Terrence Howard
Biographical Information
Alignment	Good
Affiliation	369th Regiment US military
Marital Status	Married to Eudora
Relatives	Tiana (daughter)
Date of Death	C. 1917-1918
Physical Description
Species	Human
Race/Ethnicity	Black/American
Gender	Man

Sergeant James Rogers was the father of Tiana from the 2009 film, The Princess and the Frog.

History

Background

Origins

James Rogers was a cook living in New Orleans in the late 19th/early 20th century. James was also handed down a gumbo recipe from his grandmother. James married a dressmaker named Eudora and around 1907 they had a daughter named Tiana. James taught Tiana how to cook and passed on his dream of owning a restaurant which he dubbed "Tiana's Place".

Tiana and her father participated in and won several cooking competitions. The father-daughter duo won the 23rd annual Gumbo cook-off.

World War I

In 1917, James conscripted in the US military to fight in World War I. James served as a sergeant in the 369th Regiment, where he had friends who loved his jumbo. James frequently sent letters to Tiana, including one with her great grandma's gumbo recipe. James died in World War I repelling an enemy attack while coming to the aid of his fellow soldiers. James was posthumously decorated with a Croix de Guerre due to his heroism and courage.

Tiana carried on his dream dedicating herself to opening their restaurant. In 1926, Tiana opened the restaurant Tiana's Palace in New Orleans Square.

Appearances

Critter Co-Op

Tiana relays her father's words about good food bringing people together in a message sent to Louis.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure

There are various images, ribbons and newspaper stories tributing James in the halls of Tiana's Foods in the queue. Tiana mentions her father in the newspaper story on her Mardi Gras celebration. Framed on the wall is a newspaper article written in French detailing James' death and posthumous award. Also framed on the wall are letters sent to her by James from when he was fighting overseas.

The chalkboard behind Tiana mentions "Daddy's Jumbo", referencing the jumbo of James which was made at the beginning of the Princess and the Frog. The words on the back of the water-tower are Tiana's father James' words "Never, ever lose sight of what's really important." which Tiana promised him in the film.

Tiana's Palace

A portrait of James holding up Tiana as a child is hung up in this restaurant. Tiana's father's gumbo spoon appears amongst the props.

Trivia

• The 369th Regiment was a real-world national guard regiment known for having been one of the first African-American regiments.
• Tiana's Bayou Adventure revealed that James' surname was Rogers.

Gallery