Back in 1983, a 24-year-old mother named Patricia Clarke was preparing to welcome her second child. Having already given birth to a large baby once before, she knew she wasn’t likely to have a tiny newborn this time either. Big babies ran in her family, so she fully expected her second child to follow the same pattern. What she didn’t expect, however, was that her son, Kevin Robert Clarke, would end up breaking a record that would draw national attention.
When Kevin was born, he weighed an astonishing 16 pounds, a number so remarkable that hospital staff could hardly believe it. His birth made history at Community Memorial Hospital and quite possibly throughout the entire state of New Jersey. To this day, many still remember him as one of the biggest newborns ever delivered in the region.
Although his size meant he couldn’t fit into normal infant clothing or sleep comfortably in a standard crib, none of that mattered to his parents. What mattered most was that Kevin was perfectly healthy. A baby that large could easily have faced complications, yet he thrived from the moment he arrived. That alone was a tremendous blessing to his family.
Because Kevin’s size was so extraordinary, his birth quickly made headlines nationwide. Newspapers and TV stations picked up the story, fascinated by the healthy 16-pound baby boy. Kevin and his family were featured on national programs, including a segment on Saturday Night Live and a mention on Good Morning America. The attention was overwhelming but memorable—after all, how often does a newborn make that kind of national splash?
As Kevin grew, it became clear that his newborn size wasn’t a one-time anomaly—he was naturally built to be tall. By the age of 12, he had already reached 5 feet 7 inches, according to The New York Post. Most kids that age are still growing into their features, but Kevin was well on his way to becoming the towering figure he is today.
By junior high, he was an incredible 6 feet 5 inches tall, towering over nearly all of his classmates and most adults as well. It didn’t stop there, either. Kevin continued to grow through his teen years, eventually reaching an impressive height that never fails to turn heads.
“There isn’t a day that goes by when someone doesn’t ask me how tall I am,” Kevin shared with The Post. He’s learned to embrace the questions with humor. “I like to joke that I’m 5-foot-21,” he said. “When people ask if I play basketball, I ask them if they play miniature golf.” His easygoing attitude is part of what makes his story so charming—he understands that his height stands out, and he meets people’s curiosity with kindness and wit.
Today, Kevin is 40 years old, a proud former military serviceman, and a man who continues to draw attention wherever he goes. He stands an incredible 6 feet 9 inches tall and wears a size 17 shoe. His stature is truly impressive, but those who know him say he carries it gracefully.
Kevin is happily married, and his wife—who is much shorter than he is—often jokes about their height difference. Together, they share their home with a Great Dane, a dog known for being one of the world’s tallest breeds. It seems fitting that someone as tall as Kevin would end up with a dog that can nearly meet him eye-to-eye when standing on its hind legs.
While being this tall isn’t always easy, it does come with certain advantages. Height can open doors—literally and figuratively—and Kevin has found ways to make the most of his physical presence. Whether it’s reaching high shelves, seeing over large crowds, or simply having a memorable presence, Kevin carries his height with pride.
Of course, being unusually tall also means Kevin deals with constant questions from strangers. People often ask how tall he is, whether he plays sports, or what it’s like to be so much taller than the average person. These encounters happen so often that Kevin has developed a playful set of responses. It’s clear that he doesn’t let the attention bother him; instead, he uses humor as a way to connect with people.
What makes Kevin’s story truly heartwarming isn’t just the record he set as a newborn, but the life he built afterward. He grew into a confident, kind, and humorous man who embraces who he is. His size may be what made him famous, but his personality is what makes him memorable.
Stories like Kevin’s remind us how unique every birth can be, how family traits can appear in surprising ways, and how someone’s physical differences can shape their path in life without defining their worth. His birth was extraordinary, but his life is a testament to living with gratitude, humor, and resilience.
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