Jim Varney left us over 20 years ago, but we still love him just as much as ever. Certainly, we know him best for his role as Ernest P. Worrell in Ernest Goes to Camp and all of its subsequent sequels. Before making it to the big screen, many also knew him as a television commercial star, who appeared as the Ernest character in a wide variety of ads. The more commercials he appeared in, the more popular Ernest became, leading to the start of a very successful career in Hollywood and an everlasting legacy.
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In a new video posted to YouTube by Hats Off Entertainment, Varney’s rise as Ernest P. Worrell is delved into, and it’s a must-see video for any big fan of the late actor. Revisiting his early days as a stand-up comedian, the video explores the creation of the pop culture icon and how he came to be from what may have seemed to be a throwaway character at the time into one of cinema’s most beloved personalities. It’s really interesting to see the old video clips as we go through his story, especially for anyone who may not have seen Varney’s work on the stage.
Of course, watching the video is also bittersweet, as it will leave you wondering what else could have been if Varney were still here with us. You can watch the video below!
“Jim Varney – most commonly known for portraying Ernest P. Worrell in a series of films, commercials and shorts, was the world’s first viral star. His versatile characters and talent for mimicry is the stuff of legends. This video essay explores his amazing climb to success, going from a down on his luck stand-up comedian to a national sensation and pop-culture icon.”
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