Blake Clark
A gravel-voiced comic fixture who became Adam Sandler's loyal collaborator and the inheritor of the beloved Slinky Dog voice.
Born 1946 (age 80)·American stand-up comedian and actor·Birthday: February 2·Baby Boomers
Biography
Blake Clark's journey from the Southern comedy circuit to Hollywood character actor is a testament to his everyman appeal and genuine comic timing. After serving in the Vietnam War, he honed his craft in stand-up, developing a laid-back, drawling style. His big break came with a recurring role on 'Home Improvement' as Harry, the hardware store clerk, which showcased his natural chemistry with Tim Allen. This opened the door to a long partnership with Adam Sandler, appearing in over a dozen of his films, often as a friendly, blue-collar father figure or sidekick. In a poignant career turn, he took over the voice of Slinky Dog in the 'Toy Story' franchise after the death of his close friend Jim Varney, ensuring the character's warmth continued. Clark's career is a mosaic of reliable supporting roles, defined by his unmistakable voice and an authenticity that resonates with audiences.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
Blake was born in 1946, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Blake Was Born
The biggest hits of 1946
#1 Movie
The Best Years of Our Lives
Best Picture
The Best Years of Our Lives
Blake's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1946Born
United Nations holds its first General Assembly
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $5,150Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Prisoner of Love" — Perry ComoBest Picture: The Best Years of Our Lives
1951Started school
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1959Became a teenager
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1962Could drive
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1964Could vote
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1967Turned 21
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1976Turned 30
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1986Turned 40
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1996Turned 50
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2006Turned 60
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 70
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 80
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Took over the voice role of Slinky Dog in the 'Toy Story' franchise following the death of original actor Jim Varney.
- Appeared in more than a dozen Adam Sandler films, including 'The Waterboy,' '50 First Dates,' and 'Grown Ups.'
- Played recurring roles on popular sitcoms 'Home Improvement' as Harry and 'Boy Meets World' as Chet Hunter.
Did You Know?
He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War before pursuing comedy.
He was a close personal friend of Jim Varney (Ernest) and was chosen by Pixar to succeed him as Slinky.
He frequently performs stand-up comedy and is known for his stories about his family and Southern life.
“I learned more about timing from a drill sergeant than any comedy club.”
