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Who Was Jim Varney?
Jim Varney was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the character Ernest P. Worrell, a goofy, lovable figure who became a cultural icon in the 1980s and 1990s. Varney’s comedic talent and unique style catapulted him to fame through TV shows, commercials, and films centered around his signature character. Over the course of his career, Varney starred in five major films featuring Ernest and made a lasting impression on both the entertainment industry and audiences worldwide.
Early Life and Career
Born on June 15, 1949, in Lexington, Kentucky, Jim Varney’s passion for acting emerged at a young age. By the age of 8, he was already involved in local theater, and in 1965, he secured his first professional acting role as Puck in a regional production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Two years later, Varney relocated to New York City, where he honed his comedic skills as a stand-up comedian and actor in dinner theater and Off-Broadway productions.
His big break came in 1976 when he joined the variety TV series Johnny Cash and Friends. This led to appearances in several other TV shows, including Operation Petticoat (1977), Fernwood 2-Night (1977), and Pink Lady (1980).
Rise to Fame as Ernest P. Worrell
Varney first introduced the character of Ernest P. Worrell in a regional television commercial in 1972. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that Ernest became a household name, as Varney appeared in hundreds of commercials for products like soft drinks, ice cream, and furniture. Ernest’s denim-clad, accident-prone persona resonated with audiences, making him one of the most recognizable advertising characters of the time.
Varney’s film debut as Ernest came in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1986), which he co-wrote. His breakthrough in cinema, however, was in Ernest Goes to Camp (1987), which grossed $24 million at the box office on a modest budget of $3.5 million. The success of the film led to more Ernest movies, including Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), Ernest Goes to Jail (1990), Ernest Rides Again (1993), and Ernest in the Army (1998). The character’s popularity also extended to merchandise like greeting cards and toys, as well as a Saturday morning children’s show, Hey Vern, It’s Ernest, for which Varney won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1988.
Post-Ernest Roles
Though best known for Ernest, Varney sought to expand his repertoire. In 1993, he played Jed Clampett in the film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies. He also voiced Slinky Dog in the Pixar films Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999), solidifying his place in another generation’s hearts. His later roles included appearances in 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998) alongside Hulk Hogan.
Death
In 1998, Jim Varney was diagnosed with lung cancer. Despite undergoing surgery and radiation treatments, he continued to work, completing his last film, Daddy and Them (2001), directed by Billy Bob Thornton. Varney passed away on February 10, 2000, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 50, leaving behind a legacy of humor, memorable characters, and a deep connection with his audience.