Larry the Cable Guy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Larry the Cable Guy
Whitney in 2007
Birth name	Daniel Lawrence Whitney
Born	(1963-02-17) February 17, 1963 (age 62) Pawnee City, Nebraska, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up, television, film, radio, books
Years active	1991–present
Genres	Country comedy, Character comedy, observational comedy, political satire
Subject(s)	Southern culture, American politics, obesity, family, personal hygiene, current events
Spouse	Cara Whitney ​ (m. 2005)​
Children	2
Notable works and roles	Blue Collar Comedy Tour Delta Farce Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy Witless Protection Cars franchise as Mater

Daniel Lawrence Whitney (born February 17, 1963), known as Larry the Cable Guy, is an American comedian, actor, and former radio personality. He was a key member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. This comedy group also included Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Jeff Foxworthy. He also starred with Jeff Foxworthy on Blue Collar TV.

Whitney has released seven comedy albums. Two of these albums have sold over 1,000,000 copies, earning "platinum" status. One album sold over 500,000 copies, earning "gold" status. He has appeared in three films related to the Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He also starred in Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector, Delta Farce, and Witless Protection. He is also famous for voicing Mater in the Disney/Pixar Cars movies. Whitney's famous saying, "Git-R-Done!", is also the title of his book.

Early Life and Education

Dan Whitney was born in Nebraska to Tom and Shirley Whitney. He grew up on a large farm near Pawnee City, Nebraska. His father was a Christian minister. When Dan was 16, his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida.

Whitney attended The King's Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was there from the late 1970s through 1980. His father was the elementary school principal at the academy. He graduated from Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach in 1982. He played football there. He later went to college at Baptist University of America in Georgia and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He studied drama and speech. He says his college roommates from Texas and Georgia helped him learn his Southern accent impression. He left college after his third year to try comedy.

Comedy Career Highlights

Starting in Radio

Whitney began his career in radio in the early 1990s. He often appeared on the national radio show, The Ron and Ron Show. He was also a guest on other popular radio programs. These included The Bob & Tom Show and The Todd and Tyler Radio Empire. He also appeared on shows in New England, like Greg and the Morning Buzz.

Stand-up Comedy Success

Larry the Cable Guy performing in Green Bay in 2015

At first, Whitney performed stand-up comedy using his real name. He found more success after creating the "Cable Guy" character. This character is known for a typical "redneck" look and a strong Southern accent. He tells funny stories about his "family." His most famous saying is "Git-R-Done!"

Whitney has said in interviews that he purposely uses the accent both on and off stage. He does this so he doesn't forget it. He also uses other funny phrases. For example, he says, "Lord, I apologize for that, there, and be with the starvin' Pygmies in New Guinea. Amen," after telling a joke that might be a bit silly. After jokes that make people laugh loudly, he often says, "I don't care who ya are, that's funny right there."

His first two comedy albums were Lord, I Apologize (2001) and The Right to Bare Arms (2005). Both of these albums were certified gold. This means they sold over 500,000 copies. A third album, Morning Constitutions, came out in 2007. It also had a TV special.

Other Projects and Shows

Larry the Cable Guy was honored in a special TV show called The Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable Guy in 2009. This show featured other comedians making jokes about him.

In 2011, his travel show, Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy, started on the History Channel. Many viewers watched the first episode. In one episode, Whitney was the first person from a non-news TV crew allowed into the "War Room" (also called the Command Center). The show ended in 2013.

In 2012, Disneyland's California Adventure theme park opened a ride called "Mater's Junkyard Jamboree." This ride features Whitney's voice as his character Mater from the Cars movies.

A company called Bektrom Foods created a line of Larry the Cable Guy food products. Some of the money from these sales helps his "Git-R-Done Foundation." Whitney also appeared as "Baby" on The Masked Singer in 2021.

Personal Life and Charity

Whitney and his wife, Cara, got married in 2005. They have a son named Wyatt and a daughter named Reagan. The Whitney family lives on a large farm in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 2009, the couple started the Git-R-Done Foundation. This foundation helps people who have faced difficult times. Whitney is a Christian and renewed his faith in 2014.

Whitney's hometown of Pawnee City, Nebraska, has a street named after him. Whitney also gave money to his local high school to buy new theater equipment. He is a big fan of Nebraska Cornhuskers football. His signature camouflage hat often has "HUSKERS" written on it. He also often wears a gold Nebraska "N" necklace.

In 2010, Whitney donated $5 million to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida. This money helped develop the International Hip Dysplasia Institute at the hospital. Whitney and his wife made donations after their son, Wyatt, was cured of hip dysplasia there as a baby. Whitney also raised money for the hospital by appearing on TV shows like Family Feud and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?. In 2012, the hospital opened a new section called the Wyatt Whitney Wing.

Radio Shows

Whitney currently works as a radio personality for Sirius XM. He is on the Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup channel.

Discography

• ^A Box set consisting of The Right to Bare Arms, Christmastime in Larryland, and Morning Constitutions.

Filmography

Movies

Television Shows

Video Games

Theme Park Rides

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Larry the Cable Guy para niños