Jim Varney

Included in a 1986 home video collection of Ernest commercials is a public service spot with Ernest trying to convince "Vern" to quit smoking, thus avoiding "The Big C-Cancer. Chemotherapy City."

Was a heavy smoker and died of lung cancer.

Jim Varney died at about 4:45 am February 10, 2000 at his White House, Tennessee home.

Lived in Lexington, Kentucky while growing up, and graduated from Lafayette Senior High School with the class of 1968. He listed a former teacher, Thelma Beeler, as being one of the main contributing factors in his becoming an actor.

His final movie, "Ernest the Pirate" 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.

Known to fans as Ernest P. Worrell, his most famous character, who propelled him to the public eye. Ernest appeared in commercials "alongside" his off-camera friend Vern. Ernest would address the camera as if it were Vern.

Despite his persona as Ernest P. Worrell, he reportedly had a near genius I.Q. level. He was said to be occasionally exasperated with fans who met him and assumed he was exactly like the Worrell character he portrayed.

When he discovered he had lung cancer, he reportedly threw away his cigarettes and quit smoking cold turkey. Unfortunately, it was too late.

He used to do commercials for the Dodge dealership in Henderson, Kentucky, sitting in the Dodge Viper "high in the sky."

As his Ernest P. Worrell persona, he did advertisements for the Southern California auto mall Cerritos Auto Square. After his death, commercials now feature a CGI Ernest.

As Ernest, Jim Varney used to do Purity Dairy commercials which ran in Nashville, TN.

Among the companies he portrayed his beloved character, Earnest, for was the Kroger grocery store chain. These aired mainly in the marketing area of Tennessee, parts of Mississippi and Ohio where Kroger grocery store chains are predominate.

Between 1987 and 1990, Disney released four Ernest movies that generated a total of $100 million. Five more Ernest films were released independently, mainly for the video and television markets.

The character of Ernest was actually introduced in a commercial for Bowling Green, Kentuckys Beech Bend Raceway Park.

Along with Robin Williams , Varney was one of Los Angeless Comedy Stores original alumni.

Standup comedy launched his TV career. His first national appearance came at age 25, when he embarked on the talk show circuit, that included "The Merv Griffin Show" and "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" .

Studied Shakespeare at the Barter Theatre in Virginia and performed in a folk show during Oprylands first year of operation

When given the chance to have a lifelong dream fulfilled by such groups as the Make-A-Wish Foundation, several hundred terminally ill children have asked to meet Ernest. He never let them down.

Was very good friends with Robin Williams.

Remained good friends with his second wife Jane after their divorce and she became his spokesperson later in life.

Varney was very good friends with actor Blake Clark and Clark took over the role of "Slinky Dog" in Toy Story 3 , after Varneys death. In an interview for "Toy Story 3", Clark described Varney as a very good and kind man and one of his bestest friends.

Youngest child and only son of James Albert Varney Sr (1910-1985) and Louise Varney (1913-1994). He has three older sisters.

Jim Varney was supposed to be in a movie called Pirates of the plain. Directed By John Cherry. But when got sick the lead went to Tim Curry instead. This somehow became a rumor that Jim was filming Ernest the pirate but died before it was finished.

Was a fan of "The Beverly Hillbillies" . In fact, it was said to be his familys favorite show.

Shares his birthday with country singer Waylon Jennings who was one of his closest friends!.

Varney himself sang the song "Gee Im Glad Its Raining" for his movie "Ernest Goes To Camp" in a single take. When he finished performing it for the movie, reportedly there wasnt a single dry eye on set.

Shares a birthday with another comedian named Jim. Jim Belushi.

[On making Ernest Scared Stupid] I loved it. As a kid, anything that,gave me nightmares I had to watch.

Just a bit to say I did a classic.