Blank Family Genealogy & History

Arthur Morris Blank, born September 27, 1942, is a prominent American businessman renowned for co-founding The Home Depot, a revolutionary home improvement retailer. Alongside Bernard Marcus, Blank transformed the industry with a warehouse concept, leading both to billionaire status. He owns several Atlanta sports franchises, including the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and MLS's Atlanta United FC, which won the 2018 MLS Cup. Blank's contributions to sports earned him the Sports Business Journal's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. His philanthropic efforts include substantial donations through The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, such as $200 million towards a children's hospital.

Arthur Blank was born in Flushing, Queens, New York, to Jewish parents, Max and Molly Blank. His father was a pharmacist, and he has an older brother named Michael. Blank's family background and upbringing in a Jewish household in New York City shaped his early life before he embarked on a successful business career.

Kenny Blank, also known as Kenn Michael, is a versatile American actor, composer, director, editor, and producer born on September 15, 1977, in New York City. He gained fame for his role as Michael Peterson in the TV series "The Parent 'Hood" (1995-1997), where he also composed music. Blank's film debut as Tito in "The Super" (1991) earned him a Young Artist Award nomination. Other notable roles include appearances in "Boomerang" (1992), "Tall Hopes," and "As Told by Ginger." He voiced characters in video games like the "Saints Row" series and directed films such as "In Broad Daylight" (2019).

Kenny Blank was born to Lola, a dancer for James Brown, and Warren Benbow, a jazz drummer who collaborated with legends like Miles Davis and Stevie Wonder. After his parents' divorce, he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Bob Blank, who owned a music studio, influencing his early exposure to music and filmmaking.

Steve Blank, born in 1953, is a renowned American entrepreneur, educator, and author known as the "Father of Modern Entrepreneurship." He pioneered the customer development methodology that initiated the lean startup movement, significantly impacting modern entrepreneurship. Blank has an extensive career in technology, founding or co-founding several startups, including E.piphany. He also developed influential academic courses such as the Lean LaunchPad at Stanford University, which integrates experiential learning with innovative business models. His methodologies have been embraced by over 3,051 teams and 1,300 startups, and he has contributed to national programs like the U.S. Department of Defense's Hacking for Defense.

Steve Blank was born to immigrant parents in the Chelsea neighborhood of New York City and later attended the University of Michigan for a semester. His early life included service in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he was stationed in Thailand and Michigan, working on electronic warfare systems.

Les Blank was an influential American documentary filmmaker born on November 27, 1935, in Tampa, Florida. Renowned for his immersive portraits of American traditional music, Blank's notable works include "The Blues Accordin' to Lightnin' Hopkins" and "Burden of Dreams." He founded Flower Films in 1967 and received prestigious accolades such as the Edward MacDowell Medal and the American Film Institute's Maya Deren Award. His films often explored cultural contexts, capturing the essence of American roots music and other diverse themes.

Les Blank's legacy continues through his son, Harrod Blank, who has followed in his footsteps as a documentary filmmaker. Blank's enduring influence is maintained by the nonprofit Les Blank Films, which preserves and releases his extensive body of work.