He was brought to the San Fernando Valley when he was a year old, was educated locally and, after graduating from high school, he joined his father's North Hollywood firm, Blanchard Lumber Company, of which he later became owner.

He was a "lifelong supporter" of the East Valley YMCA and president of the North Hollywood Kiwanis and the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple.

[2] Blanchard was a member of the Los Angeles County Housing Authority for fifteen years until elected to the city council in 1959.

[1] In the 1950s, Los Angeles City Council District 2 covered Hollywood and a "sizable portion" of the San Fernando Valley, generally west of Ventura Boulevard and extending north to Encino.

He suggested appointment of "an outstanding Los Angeles civic leader" to serve as a negotiator in the council's dealings with the Metropolitan Transit Authority.

He called on the council to oppose a state ballot proposition that would give the city Housing Authority permission to build homes for the aged and physically handicapped.