Date of Birth: June 15, 1949
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: February 10, 2000
Biography
James Albert Varney Jr., better known as Jim Varney, was an American actor and comedian born on June 15, 1949, in Lexington, Kentucky. Varney developed an interest in acting at a young age, participating in local theater productions and honing his skills in high school drama classes. He gained national fame through his portrayal of the character Ernest P. Worrell, a bumbling yet lovable character created for a series of commercials in the early 1980s. The character’s popularity led to a series of movies, including “Ernest Goes to Camp,” “Ernest Saves Christmas,” and “Ernest Scared Stupid.” Varney’s distinctive voice also made him a sought-after voice actor, most notably voicing Slinky Dog in the “Toy Story” films. Throughout his career, Varney demonstrated remarkable versatility, taking on roles in both comedy and drama. Despite his on-screen success, Varney faced personal challenges, including a battle with lung cancer. He passed away on February 10, 2000, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and memorable performances.
5 Interesting Facts about Jim Varney
1. Jim Varney started acting in local theater productions at the age of eight.
2. The character Ernest P. Worrell was initially created for a series of local television commercials.
3. Varney won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1989 for his role as Ernest in the children’s show “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!”
4. He voiced Slinky Dog in the first two “Toy Story” movies.
5. Varney was an accomplished Shakespearean actor and performed in various Shakespeare plays before his commercial success.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Jim Varney
1. “I always played it Ernest as if he were a real person.”
2. “I think that if people enjoy what I do, they will want me to continue doing it.”
3. “I never had any ambition to be a star. I just wanted to be an actor.”
4. “Ernest is really just a regular guy who wants to do good but ends up doing something foolish.”
5. “The secret to comedy is in the timing.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Jim Varney’s net worth was estimated to be around $12 million.
Children
Jim Varney did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Jim Varney – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001815/
2. [Jim Varney’s Biography – Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/actor/jim-varney
3. [Jim Varney – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Varney
4. [Jim Varney’s Legacy – Variety](https://variety.com/2000/film/news/jim-varney-dies-1117779337/
