LAKE COUNTY — Everyday for 13 years Dan Whitney called in to a local radio station as a character he created based on a “big pot” of people he knew growing up, “Larry the Cable Guy.” “He”s the relative or friend who will say and do anything, burp, fart and talk about his sister”s moles, but that really isn”t me. I”m not even a partier or a drinker,” he said. “But I love my character. He”s evolved, now he represents about 35 percent of my own experiences, whereas in the past it was about 5 percent.”
Born in Nebraska on a farm, Whitney was the “kid who always wanted to lighten the mood and make people laugh,” he said. He said he comes from a great family and has always been happy-go-lucky.
He”s known well for his catch-phrase “Git ?R” Done” but he”s everywhere. He”s the voice of the tow truck in the Disney Pixar animated movie Cars, he”s a spokesperson for Nutrisystems, “I done lost a whole Olsen twin on that diet,” he said. “My pants size went from ?Good Lord” to ?Hello Ladies,” it”s for real.”
He said to keep himself inspired to lose the weight he made placemats with Don Shula”s photo (from the pictures of before and after the former Miami Dolphins head coach lost his weight). He”s also working on a Disney Pixar program call Mater Tales. He said he usually does a movie a year and keeps pretty busy.
Whitney, 45, is a husband and a father of two small children. His family often travels with him when he tours. The family divides their time between Nebraska and Florida.
During his childhood he developed a sense of how he wanted to make people laugh from his favorite television show, All in the Family. He loved Archie Bunker”s character and wanted to be a likeable version of him. “Sometimes he was mean to Edith and I didn”t like that, but he was funny.”
Another comedic influence and hero to Whitney is Steve Martin.
Whitney is also well-known for his participation with The Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He is the only one of the four men who actually grew up on a farm.
” I grew up in a town of 1,107 and my wife is from a town of just 45 people,” he said.
He admits that his accent comes and goes.
Even though he grew up in Nebraska, he”s lived in Florida since the late ?70s. “When I”m in Florida it”s (the accent) always there.”
Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa will host Whitney as “Larry the Cable Guy” on Aug. 22 to kick off the Summerfest Pepsi Celebrity Golf Shootout. He is not here to play golf, “I suck at golf, that”s no joke,” he said. He”s excited to perform in Lake County, doing “nothin” but one-liners.” His favorite places to perform are “anywhere my fans are. I love to perform. My fans are awesome.”
“See y”all soon, Git ?R” Done, he said.”
Mandy Feder can be reached at mfeder@record-bee.com.
