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.