Jim Varney
Jim Varney (June 15, 1949 - February 10, 2000) was an American actor best known for his character Ernest P. Worrell, originally created by a Tennessee advertising agency in the 1980s. The character was used in numerous television commercial campaigns in the following years.
Varney had previously created a differnt character for the same agency, "Sgt. Glory", a humourless drill instructor who harrangued cows of the client's dairy into producing better milk. In another spot, Glory's home was shown as he had a date, and was so heavily decorated with the products of the sponsor and advertising specialty items for it that it was essentially devoid of any other decor.
His character Ernest P. Worrell proved so popular that it was spun off into a television series Hey Vern, It's Ernest! and a series of movies in the 1980s and 90s. Ernest Goes to Camp earned Varney a nomination for "Worst New Star" in the 1987 Golden Raspberry Awards (he lost). Other Ernest movies included Ernest Saves Christmas, and Ernest Goes to Jail. He is also known for his role as Slinky Dog in Toy Story.
Personal life
Varney was married once. He was married to Jackie Varney from 1976 to 1983.
Death
Varney died as the movie Ernest the Pirate neared completion. He died of lung cancer in his home in White House, Tennessee.
