• Name: Jim Varney
  • Date of Birth: June 15, 1949
  • Place of Birth: Lexington, Kentucky, USA
Mini-bio: Jim Varney became interested in theater as a teenager, winning state titles in drama competitions while a student at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky. At age 15 he played Ebeneezer Scrooge...( read more) in a local children's theater production of "A Christmas Carol", and by 17 was performing professionally in nightclubs and coffee houses. He chose Nashville rather than New York or Los Angeles as a place to pursue his acting career and, with advertising executive John R. Cherry III, turned "Ernest P. Worrell" into a cash cow, making commercials for clients ranging from soft drinks to food stores and, eventually, Disney. Even though Ernest's catchphrase "KnowhutImean?" became a national craze almost immediately, Jim worked in TV and film for more than a decade before his famous alter-ego hit the big screen in Ernest Goes to Camp (1987). He was VERY good friends with Robin Williams.

Date of Death:10 February 2000, Whitehouse, Tennessee, USA. (lung cancer)

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Replace this image with an actor photoJim Varney mini-bio: Jim Varney became interested in theater as a teenager, winning state titles in drama competitions while a student at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky. At age 15 he played Ebeneezer Scrooge in a local children's theater production of "A Christmas Carol", and by 17 was performing professionally in nightclubs and coffee houses. He chose Nashville rather than New York or Los Angeles as a place to pursue his acting career and, with advertising executive John R. Cherry III, turned "Ernest P. Worrell" into a cash cow, making commercials for clients ranging from soft drinks to food stores and, eventually, Disney. Even though Ernest's catchphrase "KnowhutImean?" became a national craze almost immediately, Jim worked in TV and film for more than a decade before his famous alter-ego hit the big screen in Ernest Goes to Camp (1987). He was VERY good friends with Robin Williams.

Date of Death: 10 February 2000, Whitehouse, Tennessee, USA. (lung cancer)


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Comments

  • kidcomeback01
    i have devoted my life to emulating this genius[jim varney]. i impersonate him in my comedy act in gretna louisiana twice a month!
    posted 257 days ago
  • leylani
    I broke in to tears the day I heard he died. He stole our hearts with his Sense of Humor and his Funny Movies. We will never forget him.
    R.I.P
    posted 584 days ago
  • SukieLuv88
    RIP
    posted 764 days ago
  • KaraHenderson89
    I will miss you Jim and I was glad you came to visit me and my Dad we will all miss your humor in your role of Ernest P. Worrell
    posted 881 days ago
  • ROSECHAN
    DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAM U WILL TRULY BE MISSED U ARE MY LOVING ACTOR (BESIDES ANTONIO BANDERAS) AND IT REALLY SUCKS THAT U DIED I LOVE ALL UR MOVIES !!!!!!!!!!


    U WILL ARE MISSED AND ALL WAYS WILL BE

    R.I.P JIM VARNEY AKA ERNEST (JUST LIKE IN UR MOVIES) :) :) :)
    posted 903 days ago
  • Liloh
    Never got bored watching him as *ERNEST* laugh my ass off watching the Repeats

    His final movie, "Ernest the Pirate" (2000) had nearly completed shooting at the time of his death. For that reason, it got canceled, and was never released on VHS, DVD, or as part of an "Ernest" box set on anything.




    R.I.P. Jim.
    Will never forget you!
    posted 1035 days ago
  • christianparanormal
    Jim you are missed never forgotten thanks for making us laugh
    posted 1045 days ago
  • deadmanwalkin666
    Dat reaaaaaalllllllyyyyy sux, dat he passed away, i wouldve luvd 2 meet him, he was da funniest dude in da world, he was completely awesome, ya kno wat i mean?
    posted 1074 days ago
  • theimmortallurker
    Ernest is my "guilty pleasure". Jim Varney's character was just as good as many, indeed better then some, of the classic comedy characters from the 1930's and 1940's.

    Another good performance by Jim is the Billy Bob Thornton sleeper "Daddy and Them" with John Prine.
    posted 1087 days ago

Jim Varney Movies

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Jim Varney Trivia

  • Who plays Ernest P. Worrell in all the "Ernest..." movies?  Answer »
  • Which Actor Played Slinky? In the Pixar Hit Movie, Toy Story 1 and 2?  Answer »
  • In Ernest Goes to Jail Jim Varney gets sent to jail for distruction of government property  Answer »
  • name the actor who played Lothar Zogg in the film 3 ninjas-high noon at mega mountain  Answer »

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