Larry the Cable Guy explained

Larry the Cable Guy
Birth Name:Daniel Lawrence Whitney
Birth Date:17 February 1963
Birth Place:Pawnee City, Nebraska, U.S.[1]
Medium:Stand-up, television, film, radio, books
Active:1991–present
Genre:Character comedy, blue comedy, insult comedy, observational comedy, political satire
Subject:Southern culture, American politics, obesity, human sexuality, political correctness, self-deprecation, family, personal hygiene, current events
Children:2

Daniel Lawrence Whitney (born February 17, 1963),[1] known professionally as Larry the Cable Guy, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and former radio personality.[2] He was one of the members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a comedy troupe which included Bill Engvall, Ron White, and Jeff Foxworthy (with whom he has starred on Blue Collar TV).

Whitney has released seven comedy albums, two of which have been certified platinum by the RIAA for shipments of 1,000,000 copies and one of which has been certified gold for shipments of 500,000 copies.[3] He has starred in three Blue Collar Comedy Tour related films, alongside , Delta Farce and Witless Protection, and provides the voice of Mater in Disney's Cars franchise. Whitney's catchphrase "Git-R-Done!" is also the title of his book.

Early life

Dan Whitney was born in Nebraska to Tom and Shirley Whitney, and grew up on an 80-acre farm outside Pawnee City, Nebraska.[4] [5] His father was a Christian minister. When he was 16, his family moved to West Palm Beach, Florida.[6] Whitney attended high school at The King's Academy in West Palm Beach, Florida, in the late 1970s through 1980[7] [8] [9] where his father was the elementary school principal.[10] He graduated from Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach in 1982 where he played football.[11] He went to college at Baptist University of America in Georgia, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. He majored in drama and speech. He credits his roommates from Texas and Georgia for inspiring his Southern accent impression.[12] He dropped out after his junior year after trying his hand at comedy.[12]

Career

Radio career

Whitney started his career in radio in the early 1990s when he made regular radio appearances on the nationally syndicated program, The Ron and Ron Show, as well as other radio shows such as The Bob & Tom Show, Wakin' Up With The Wolf on WPDH, The Chris Baker Show on KDGE and KEZO's The Todd and Tyler Show in Omaha, Nebraska, as well as the Kirk, Mark, and Lopez morning show on WIYY in Baltimore, Maryland. He was also a frequent guest on The Johnny Dare Morning Show on 98.9/KQRC, Kansas' City.

He also appeared on WJRR in Orlando, Florida. He was brought to New England on Greg and the Morning Buzz on WHEB 100.3 and WGIR-FM 101.1 in Portsmouth and Manchester, New Hampshire, respectively, doing two commentaries a week.

Stand-up career

Initially performing stand-up under his real name with limited success, he became famous after developing the Cable Guy character, a personality that he now maintains throughout his stage act. The Cable Guy character has a stereotypical redneck appearance and a thick Southern accent, recounts stories about his "family", and uses, among other common expressions, his own catchphrase "Git-R-Done!"

He says in interviews and in his autobiographical book GIT-R-DONE that he deliberately "turns on" the accent both on and off stage, because he may forget it if he kept his normal accent intact.[13] He uses catchphrase humor, including "Lord, I apologize for that, there, and be with the starvin' Pygmies in New Guinea. Amen," after telling jokes of questionable taste; and, "I don't care who ya are, that's funny right there," after jokes that evoke raucous laughter.

His first two comedy albums, Lord, I Apologize (2001) and The Right to Bare Arms (2005), have both been certified gold by the RIAA. A third album, Morning Constitutions, and its accompanying TV special were released in 2007.

Other work

Whitney was roasted in a Comedy Central special on March 15, 2009.[14]

On February 8, 2011, the premiere of his newest travelogue series, Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy, was broadcast on the History Channel. A total of 4.1 million viewers, 1.7 million adults 25–54, tuned in, nearly doubling the total for the "Top Shot" season 2 opener.[15] During season two in the episode "Larry Goes To Washington", Whitney was the first on-air talent from a non-news crew allowed in the War Room, also known as the Command Center, as he explained during the program. The series finale aired August 28, 2013.

In June 2012, Disneyland's California Adventure theme park's "Cars Land" features a ride called "Mater's Junkyard Jamboree" that features Whitney's voice as his character Mater from the Disney/Pixar Cars films.[16]

Bektrom Foods of North Dakota developed a line of Larry the Cable Guy food products, such as boxed hamburger dinners, with some of the proceeds from its sales benefiting the "Git-R-Done Foundation".[17] [18]

Whitney competed in season six of The Masked Singer as the wild card contestant "Baby" which was the show's first human character.

Personal life

Whitney and his wife Cara married in 2005.[19] [20] They have a son, Wyatt, and a daughter, Reagan.[21] The Whitney family resides in Lincoln, Nebraska, on a 180-acre (73 ha) farm. The couple started the Git-R-Done Foundation in 2009 to provide assistance to those that have experienced hardships beyond their control.[22] [23] Whitney is a Christian who re-committed to his faith in 2014.[24]

Whitney's hometown of Pawnee City, Nebraska, has a street named after him. Whitney also donated money to buy new theatrical equipment for the local high school.[25]

Whitney is an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers football fan. His signature camouflage hat has the University of Nebraska–Lincoln nickname "HUSKERS" emblazoned on it, as seen in the 2007 film Delta Farce. He is also frequently seen with a gold Nebraska "N" on a chain around his neck. On October 1, 2016, in his luxury suite at Memorial Stadium during the Nebraska vs. Illinois football game, Whitney was challenged to an arm wrestling match by an Army veteran and Nebraska Army National Guard member, John O'Connell, who lost the match in less than one minute with his arm (humerus) broken by Whitney.[26] [27] [28]

Whitney is also an avid REO Speedwagon fan. In 2013, he appeared with the group, including a benefit concert in Bloomington, Illinois, for tornado disaster relief.[29]

In September 2010, Whitney donated $5 million to the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in Orlando, Florida. The gift was for further development of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute at the Orlando hospital. After Dr. Chad Price at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children helped cure their son, Wyatt, of his dysplasia when he was an infant, Whitney and his wife, Cara, made private donations to the hospital and Whitney raised money through appearances on Family Feud and Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?.

The hospital opened a new wing called the Wyatt Whitney Wing in May 2012.

Whitney is also the proud owner of a George Strait neon sign that he bought backstage at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth, Texas.

Whitney endorsed Gary Johnson for the 2016 U.S. presidential election.[30]

In June 2023, claims that Whitney had died at age 60 surfaced. This was later confirmed to be a hoax.[31]

Radio shows

Whitney currently works as a radio personality for Sirius XM's Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup channel.[32]

Discography

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart
positions
Certifications
USUS CountryUS Comedy
Law and Disorder[33]
  • Release date: 1995
  • Label: Self-released
Salutations and Flatulations[34]
  • Release date: 1997
  • Label: DJT Records
Lord, I Apologize
  • Release date: October 30, 2001
  • Label: Hip-O Records
531
A Very Larry Christmas
  • Release date: November 16, 2004
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
4381
  • US: Platinum
The Right to Bare Arms
  • Release date: March 29, 2005
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
711
Morning Constitutions
  • Release date: April 3, 2007
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
1651
Christmastime in Larryland
  • Release date: October 3, 2007
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
42121
Tailgate Party
  • Release date: September 22, 2009
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
71191
The Best of Larry the Cable Guy
  • Release date: November 16, 2010
  • Label: Warner Bros. Records
724
Them Idiots: Whirled Tour
(with Bill Engvall and Jeff Foxworthy)
  • Release date: March 13, 2012
  • Label: Warner Music Nashville
451
We've Been Thinking (with Jeff Foxworthy)
  • Release date: September 29, 2017
  • Label: Comedy Dynamics, Netflix
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003LarryDocumentary
2004Larry the Cable Guy: Git-R-DoneTV movie
Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides AgainTV documentary
2006
CarsMaterVoice
Mater and the GhostlightVoice; short film
LarryTV movie
2007Delta Farce
2008Witless ProtectionDeputy Larry Stalder
2009The Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable GuyHimself
Larry the Cable Guy's Hula-Palooza Christmas LuauTV movie
2010Larry the Cable Guy: Tailgate Party
2011Cars 2MaterVoice
2012Them Idiots: Whirled TourHimself
Tooth Fairy 2Larry Guthrie
2013A Madea ChristmasBuddy
2014Jingle All the Way 2Larry Phillips Direct-to-video
CMT Artists of the YearHost
2016Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been ThinkingHimselfDocumentary
2017Cars 3MaterVoice
2020Remain SeatedHimselfStand-up special

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2004–2006Blue Collar TVCast member
2008–2012MaterVoice; 11 short films
2009Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?HimselfEpisode: "3.13"
2011–2013Only in America with Larry the Cable GuyHost
2013Bounty HuntersLarry
2013–2014Cars Toons: Tales From Radiator SpringsMaterVoice; 2 short films
2020Cruisin' With the HuskersHost
2021The Masked SingerHimself/BabySeason 6 contestant; Eliminated in fourth episode
2021YellowstoneOfficer (Uncredited)Season 4 Episode 1 'Half the Money'
2022Cars On The RoadMaterVoice; Disney+ Original Short Series
As producer
YearTitleNotes
2007Larry the Cable Guy: Morning ConstitutionsTV movie
Larry the Cable Guy's Christmas Spectacular
2008Larry the Cable Guy's Star-Studded Christmas ExtravaganzaTV special
2009The Comedy Central Roast of Larry the Cable GuyTV documentary
Larry the Cable Guy's Hula-Palooza Christmas LuauTV movie
2010Larry the Cable Guy: Tailgate Party
2013Bounty HuntersTV series; 8 episodes
2011–2013Only in America with Larry the Cable Guy50 episodes
2016Jeff Foxworthy & Larry the Cable Guy: We've Been ThinkingTV documentary

Video games

YearTitleRole
2006CarsMater
2007Cars Mater-National Championship
2009Cars Race-O-Rama
2010Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales[36] [37]
2010–2012The World of Cars Online
2011Cars 2
2012
2013Disney Infinity
2014Cars: Fast as Lightning
2015Disney Infinity 3.0

Theme park attractions

YearTitleRole
2012–presentRadiator Springs RacersMater
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
2019–presentLightning McQueen's Racing Academy

Awards and nominations

YearNominated workCategoryResult
Golden Raspberry Awards
2007Worst Actor
2009Witless ProtectionWorst Actor
Worst Screen Couple (with Jenny McCarthy)
2014A Madea ChristmasWorst Screen Combo (with Tyler Perry)
Worst Supporting Actor
Grammy Award
2006The Right to Bare ArmsBest Comedy Album
2007
Visual Effects Society
2007CarsOutstanding Performance by an Animated Character in an Animated Motion Picture

Notes and References

  1. Book: Jones . Loyal . Country music humorists and comedians . 2008 . . 9780252033698 . 236 .
  2. Web site: Larry the Cable Guy . https://web.archive.org/web/20071113220226/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/357943/Larry-the-Cable-Guy/biography . dead . November 13, 2007 . Movies & TV Dept. . . 2007 . June 9, 2011.
  3. Web site: Gold & Platinum . 2024-06-19 . RIAA . en-US.
  4. News: Kobelik . Jeff . 2005-10-07 . Larry the Cable Guy Returns to Nebraska to Kick off His 'Right to Bare Arms Tour' . . 14 . ...Larry was born in Nebraska and lived his first 16 years on an 80-acre farm outside Pawnee City....
  5. Web site: Larry The Cable Guy Biography. Cmt.com . June 9, 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20070129004922/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/guy_larry_the_cable/bio.jhtml. January 29, 2007. dead.
  6. Web site: For Pig Farmer-Turned Superstar, Life is All About Faith, Family and Football - Huskers.com - Nebraska Athletics Official Web Site . Huskers.com . April 28, 2014.
  7. Web site: 5 Reasons to See Larry the Cable Guy at the Kravis. October 7, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141204023401/http://www.pbpulse.com/news/news/5-reasons-to-see-larry-the-cable-guy-at-the-kravis/nMSm8/. December 4, 2014. dead.
  8. Web site: The King's Academy 1980 Yearbook, page 59. October 7, 2014. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141011121749/http://www.tka.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1980.pdf. October 11, 2014.
  9. Web site: The King's Academy 1979 Yearbook, page 63. October 7, 2014. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141011121320/http://www.tka.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1979.pdf. October 11, 2014.
  10. Web site: The King's Academy 1980 Yearbook, page 23. October 7, 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20141011121749/http://www.tka.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1980.pdf. October 11, 2014.
  11. Web site: CNN – Breaking News, Latest News and Videos . https://web.archive.org/web/20141011142514/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-25475 . October 11, 2014 .
  12. News: Guffaw Guys . https://web.archive.org/web/20110629044617/http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A59508-2004Sep3?language=printer . dead . June 29, 2011 . . September 5, 2004 . June 9, 2011. William Booth.
  13. http://www.dead-frog.com/blog/entry/an_interview_with_larry_the_cable_guy/ An Interview with Larry the Cable Guy
  14. Web site: Comedy Central To Rip More Than Flannel Sleeves – Network To Roast Larry The Cable Guy . Comedycentral.com . May 26, 2011 . June 9, 2011.
  15. https://web.archive.org/web/20110213050741/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2011/02/09/only-in-america-with-larry-the-cable-guy-premieres-to-4-1-million-viewers-top-shot-s2-premieres-to-2-8-million/82138 'Only In America with Larry the Cable Guy' Premieres to 4.1 Million Viewers; 'Top Shot' S2 Premieres to 2.8 Million
  16. http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneys-california-adventure/maters-junkyard-jamboree/ Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
  17. Web site: Bektrom Foods, Inc.: Larry the Cable Guy . Bektrom Foods, Inc.. January 14, 2012 . October 3, 2015.
  18. Hatt. Elizabeth Louise. January 4, 2012. Store Brands Stay Strong. Grocery Headquarters. New York City. October 3, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151004120606/http://www.groceryheadquarters.com/2012/01/store-brands-stay-strong/. October 4, 2015. dead.
  19. News: Larry the Cable Guy gives $5 million to hospital. https://web.archive.org/web/20101001210635/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-09-26/health/os-larry-the-cable-guy-donation-20100926_1_dan-whitney-orlando-hospital-big-impression . October 1, 2010 . Articles.orlandosentinel.com . January 5, 2013.
  20. Web site: Madison Biography . . January 5, 2013.
  21. Larry the Cable Guy and family at home. People. Meredith Corporation. March 8, 2008. Parents. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200624223838/https://people.com/parents/larry-the-cable/. June 24, 2020. June 24, 2020.
  22. Web site: Weiss. Michelle. 2011-06-24. Git-R-Done Foundation's wide reach. 2021-07-11. Variety. en-US.
  23. Web site: 2016-11-11. Larry the Cable Guy shares jokes and his heart at special Veterans Day Convocation » Liberty News. 2021-07-11. Liberty News. en-US.
  24. Web site: Larry the Cable Guy Shares Love for the Bible With Pastor David Jeremiah. 2021-07-11. The Christian Post. April 29, 2016 . en-US.
  25. Web site: Jeff Korbelik / Gzo . Larry the Cable Guy still has hometown pride . Journalstar.com . July 3, 2009 . June 9, 2011.
  26. News: Ernst . Douglas . Larry the Cable Guy breaks Army vet's humerus while arm wrestling: 'I'm retiring from arm wrestling after this' . . October 7, 2016 . January 25, 2018.
  27. News: Huff . Steve . Arm-Wrestling Larry the Cable Guy . . October 8, 2016 . January 25, 2018.
  28. News: Matteson . Cory . Larry the Cable Guy recounts arm wrestling that went awry . . . March 30, 2017 . January 25, 2018.
  29. Web site: Dan Whitney sheds Larry the Cable Guy persona for Q&A | Charlotte Observer . www.charlotteobserver.com . 13 January 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170831132219/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article169764257.html . 31 August 2017 . dead.
  30. Web site: Larry the Cable Guy: "I'm a Trump man and when I say 'Trump Man,' I mean Gary Johnson" . August 31, 2016 .
  31. Web site: Faulkner . Trisha . 2023-07-24 . Larry The Cable Guy Dead At 60? . 2023-08-11 . MSN.
  32. Web site: Jeff & Larry's Comedy Roundup . 2024-05-31 . SiriusXM . en-US.
  33. Web site: Law and Disorder. Discogs. August 1, 2013.
  34. Web site: Salutations and Flatulations. Discogs. August 1, 2013.
  35. United States. album. Larry the Cable Guy. May 1, 2021.
  36. Web site: Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales . 2011-02-17 . GameFAQs.
  37. Web site: Cars Toon: Mater's Tall Tales . 2011-02-17 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20100912192225/http://wii.ign.com/objects/077/077614.html . 2010-09-12 . dead .