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Jim Varney
Born: 1949-06-15 - Died: 2000-02-10Cause of Death: Lung Cancer
Death Summary: Jim Varney, who was a well known heavy smoker, died peacefully in his sleep of lung
cancer on February 10, 2000 at 4:45 a.m. at his home in White House Tennessee.
When Varney was first diagnosed with lung cancer, he threw his cigarettes away and quit smoking cold turkey, unfortunately it was far to late to make a difference.
He is buried at the Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky.
Who was Jim Varney : Varney graduated from Lafayette Senior High School in Lexington Kentucky. He credited one of his teachers there for him becoming an actor.
Most people know Varney simply as "Ernest", for the character/persona he created Ernest P. Worrell. Between 1987 and 1990, Disney released four Ernest centric movies that generated over $99 million. Five more films were released about Ernest, mainly for straight to video and the television markets. In the late summer of 1988 Ernest even got his very own Saturday morning show entitled "Hey, Vern, It's Ernest!"... the show only lasted one season.
Ernest was well known for being slightly on the idiotic side, but in his personal life Varney had a near genius I.Q. level, and he sometimes became agitated when fans would meet him and just assume he was a moron.
At the time of his death, shooting was nearly complete for "Ernest the Pirate". For this reason the film was canceled, and was never released on VHS, DVD or on any other medium.
When Varney was first diagnosed with lung cancer, he threw his cigarettes away and quit smoking cold turkey, unfortunately it was far to late to make a difference.
He is buried at the Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky.
Who was Jim Varney : Varney graduated from Lafayette Senior High School in Lexington Kentucky. He credited one of his teachers there for him becoming an actor.
Most people know Varney simply as "Ernest", for the character/persona he created Ernest P. Worrell. Between 1987 and 1990, Disney released four Ernest centric movies that generated over $99 million. Five more films were released about Ernest, mainly for straight to video and the television markets. In the late summer of 1988 Ernest even got his very own Saturday morning show entitled "Hey, Vern, It's Ernest!"... the show only lasted one season.
Ernest was well known for being slightly on the idiotic side, but in his personal life Varney had a near genius I.Q. level, and he sometimes became agitated when fans would meet him and just assume he was a moron.
At the time of his death, shooting was nearly complete for "Ernest the Pirate". For this reason the film was canceled, and was never released on VHS, DVD or on any other medium.
Popular YouTube videos about Jim Varney
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What a silly, hilarious, funny man. He is being missed, greatly.
Jim: I know you was a genious. Because you took your ability to make people laugh with your intellengence. Jim thank you for all the laughs. May you rest in pease Jim.
Thanks for the fun and love you gave me in all your films . Sadly missed .
Thanks for the fun and love you gave us all.
You made me laugh and you made me cry. I shall always remember the love that you brought into this world through Ernest.
you will be missed
you made me laugh so hard i cry i love u u will be missed you made this world better goodbye jim varney {ernest
watz crackin
Jim you were hilarious in the Ernest series and showed your versatility as Jed in the beverly Hillbillies movie.U were definitely!awesome RIP my friend.
I loved Jim Varney. I used to watch all his shows and movies when I was little. I remember the day he died,I was at my grandparents and my mother called and told me and I cried for what seemed like forever that day. He is one of my favorite actors,and he is sincerly missed. RIP Jim.
What a lost, you make my family and i laugh a lot. Thanks for your time with us.
hey man i miss you we were best friands
Hey rest in peace
Jim, I remember the day you died, it was a sad day. You made the world a better place, so sorry to see you go. Thank you for your inspiration to everyone!
-PJ
We need more people like you in the world; intelligent, but able to goof around once in a while. Or, heck with it – make life itself an ongoing joke.
Jim, Sad that you were taken so young, but in the short time you had, you slayed us with your great humor. May you be forever smiling.
Jim you are forever remembered Thank you for blessing us with your great talent. Missing Ernest..
bye bye ernest, rest in peace, entertain people up there!
JIM VARNEY YOU ARE A GENEOUS! I BELIEVE WE WILL SEE YOU AGAIN.
Amazing man, he always made me laugh when i was a kid, i miss him.
I had wondered what became of him and now I am sad to know.
Making the heavenly angels laughing
Great Actor
miles and miles of smiles,what a talent,my fav is all the people he played in the earnst p. worrel family album , im smiling righ tnow just thinking of how funny he was and stil is in my mind. miss you jim and see you later on down the road
ernest was the bomb
I love you man i miss you forever your always be in my heart
You shoulda been in better movies. Jim Carey had nothin’ on you. What a rubber face! We’ll miss you.
it really sucks that ur gone i love ur movies u were the funniest man i knew.r.i.p
Wow i remeber you from when i was just a little girl watching you was one of the only times i truely laughed..TY for my childhood memoeries i love you an RIP!!!
you were an intelligent man mate good to have see you on the tube
times were wrong but glad to have met you and yes I am still alive but nobody would no where i am at
you were the best i loved your movies ernest goes to jail was my favorite though
peace out
RIP Jim, you are missed.
a great actor comedian and all around person the industry lost a great person and so did the world rest in peace jim i will watch your movies and show them to my children to see also
I am only three and you are my favorite.Ernest scared stupid is the best.I watch it over and over.I wish I could have met you.
jim all the movie I saw the are very funny. they me smile very hard rip. Jim Varney you will be missed
Jim Varney was a great, there’s no doubt about that. Varney Was a great actor even though I loved the dim witted know it all Ernest he’s still a comidec great. Being just 2 hours from Varney’s hometown in Lexington KY, It really proves that KY is not as bad as most think. RIP Jim “Ernest P. Worrell” Varney you are missed everyday comandy is not the same without you old friend.
the snokey is died
Rip
Many laughs, especially watching the Earnstine part he played!
He was a great actor!!! I loved all of his shows.
One of the best actors I’ve ever seen! Loved to watch all of his shows.
I loved all his movies. He will be missed. I wish we had more time.
We will miss him. RIP Jim
awesome
hey ernest whats up
RIP
I loved your movies they were so funny
I miss him so much he was the best every in my book he was. I still untill this day I wach his movies and his videos on youtube
so I hope in my heart and sole That he made it to the other side
so God Bless you all
yours trueley
singing boy shortt!
you gave the gift of laughter; in these hard times you were a breathe of fresh air..it took a genius to play an idiot…thank you…we miss you
we really loved his years of work. he will be missed alot.
I loved your movies.
LOVE THE RE-RUNS–JIM, YOU GAVE US ALL SO-O-O- MUCH ENJOYMENT—
RIP
U will be missed very much but not be forgotten and u will always be loved !!! you are the best and always will be
you will be missed, i wish you could be in toy story three it won’t be the same without you R.I.P
slinky dog
he was a very funny actor and is missed greatly
JIM VARNEY “ERNEST” TRULY WAS THE MOST NATURAL,AND TALENTED COMIC EVER TO COME FROM THE SOUTH. HIS STATEMENT YAKNOWWHATIMEAN WILL BE A CLASSIC, AS ALL HIS MOVIES AND COMMERICALS. HE SHOULD BE NOMINATED IN THE HALL OF FAME AS THE FUNNIEST MAN AS A NATURAL BORN COMIC. NO ONE OUT THERE, AND THERE IS SOME GOOD COMICS, CAN BEAT HIS TALENT. I MISS HIM SO VERY MUCH AND SO DOES ALL HIS FANS. WHEN HE LOOKS DOWN FROM HEAVEN I KNOW HE IS SMILING AT US ALL FOR REMEMBERING HIM. I LOVE YOU AND SOME DAY GOD WILLING, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. I WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH ALL YOUR MOVIES AND CLIPS TO BRING THAT JOY OF “ERNEST” TO MY HEART. I AM SORRY YOU HAD TO LEAVE SO EARLY BUT I KNOW YOU ARE MAKING OTHERS LAUGH. THIS WORLD IS NOT THE SAME WITHOUT YOUR COMEDY.. SEE YA
Dear Jim
I Miss You And I Cried When You Died
Mohamad
I WISH I COULD TELL JIM HOW MUCH MY GRANDDAUGHTERS(6,5,3&2)LOVE HIM. THEY THINK HE IS THE GREATEST AND SOMEDAY I’LL HAVE TO TELL THEM HE IS GONE. IT WILL BE A SAD DAY. THEY WILL TRULY MISS HIM AND SO WILL WE. UNTIL THEN, WE’LL JUST KEEP HAVING ERNEST MOVIE NIGHT. THANKS FOR THE LAUGHS JIM.
You were the first celebrity that caused me tears when I learned about your death, I was 13 and my twin brother and I watched all the Ernest movies together. You will always be remembered by me. Miss you and love you Jim Varney.
Love always,
Mary
God’s child has gone home//to be with the angels and putting a smile on them all!!love you ernest!!I mean Jim!!you know what I mean vern??I miss you all the time friend!!
Jim-My grandson’s think you are the greatest. My youngest grandson even dressed up like you one Halloween..We miss you, thanks for the laughs.
I love you Jim! knowwhutimeanvern?!!! You were a big part of my life. I miss you and love you! Happy Easter ya old buddy!
Great guy funny and talented it’s sad hes gone.
Mr. Varney,
Your tragic death (lung cancer) inspired me to quit smoking! Thank you so much for entertaining everyone and possibly saving my life.
I’ve seen every single move he was in and I loved each and every one. He cracked me up without even saying a word all he had to do was make a face. Jim was one of the best actors I’ve ever seen in a movie and wish there were more like him.
I met you when I was 15, you were doing a commercial as sgt. glory. My family misses you for no one can make us laugh the way you did, thanks.
ya fucking retard
Great talent. Love the work you did. You are very missed…
Thanks We will miss you.
R.I.P.
I loved all your movies.. Miss watching you on T.V
he was a very funny guy and i wil miss alot of his movies
He Was A Very Funny Guy And I Will Miss Alot Of His Movies
He Was A Very Funny Guy And I Will Miss Alot Of His Movies He Was A Great Actor
R.I.P Lepää Rauhassa. Sinä Olit Lahjakas näyttelijä ja Kaipaan Sinun Hauskoja Ernest Elokuvia. Kumpa olisit Saanut Elää Pidempään. Kaivaten: Your Mate Raul!
I STILL WATCH HIS MOVIES AND HE STILL CRACKS ME UP.
I HEARD HE WAS REALLY A TROOPER DURING HIS CANCER.
LOVE HIM TO DEATH AND HIS GENIUS
RIP
wonderfully funny actor
funny gifted actor…enjoyed his movies..miss him
A really funny guy, I loved all the commercials and especially “KnoWhutImean, Vern?”
r.i.p ernest your deeply missed
The world lost a really funny man.
RIP Jim.
Kathy ( Ontario Canada)
he was the best actor of all
R.I.P buddy u aare greatly missed
I agree with jesse adams
damn those cigarettes
u know is was people like jim varney that made a better world, i miss u
Ernest P Whorrell. What a great run. Genuinely nice and funny guy… ALWAYS made me laugh! Miss you, buddy. Know whut ah mean?
i wish you was still around but weve all heard the good die young – you helped my childhood out by allowing laughter in i love you jim varney and i know your in ultimate peace now
I really wish i could have gotten to know you uncle. I know you stayed away because of my dad and i understand. Ha i think the two of us are the only ones with since in the family. anyways, everyone tells me i get my humer from you. by the way its jeffs son. i have a baby now. Im only 18. things have been kinda rough. ive become a man tho. i work at a scrap yard. and took responsibility with my daughter. her name is Kaylen Marie. shes beautiful. just like her momma. i wish we had a chance to get to know each other though. but i understand why you wanted away from the family. ha. i still havnt seen or talked to any of them since me, mom, and the two sisters left. well this is getting pretty long. rest in peace uncle jim. I’ll see you in heaven. you better great me so we can talk haha.
YOUR THE VOICE OF SLINKY FROM YOU STORY!!! LOVE THE VOICE AND SLINKY!!!
I have enjoyed your comedy very much. You have made my grandchildren laugh and still are even in your death. My grandson Cody loves your movies. You were a great comedian.Rest in peace and I am sure God is enjoying your comedy in heaven.
You will always remain as a great inspiration for me. I will always remember where I came from..
Wish you were still here, Jim. But, I know you’re smilin’ down, with that big ol’ wonderful smile, pal. See you again someday.
Jim anyone who had met you and had the chance to carry on a conversation with you very quickly realized that you were nothing like the character Ernest you created. My wish is that you are always remembered as the man who created a loveable character that we can all relate too. Your talent like yourself were genius. I will always love you for the joy you brought into my heart. My favourite is when you played your mother
Comedic genius is very rare and you are one amoung a handfull such as John Candy. I will always remember you and miss you deeply Rest in Peace Mr Varney like all the greats you were gone to soon
Thanks for the barrel of laughs u gave us over the years.I know your probably keeping God doubled over in hysterics.God bless you,Jim.Thanks for the memories.”Know what I mean,Vern.”
my family love you we have evry move you had ever made R.I.P
The majority of the credit for my outstanding sense of humour has a strong foundation in Jim Varney. Miss him <3
the world just lost a great man
He was a great guy, and a very funny man. My family just love all your movies, we still watch them even now we never get tired of them. It is great watching some one with a great sense of humor. You will be missed in this house. RIP JIM VARNEY, MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY ALWAYS.
Jim I’ve always loved your Ernest movies and you have been missed greatly !!
you alwaqys made me laugh when i was down as a lil kid watchin your movies always put warmth and laughter in my heart..
He was a good man.
A funny man with a open mind u to this day missed ):
Jim Varney will be missed. My favorite film was Ernest scared stupid. I wish he never got lung cancer because in my opinion he would have been the best comedian in the world.
Enjoyed all the commercials and movies, you were the best. Miss you.
You are truely missed. Thanks for all the laughter and memories. Rest in peace…
Ernest was hilarious.
I am so sad,ernest was the funniest comedian in the world.he will truly be missed.
We miss you. Mr. Funny Man!
justed watch goes to jail with my kids and said wonder what happned to him now im sad…
i loved his ernest movies
I grew up watching the “Earnest” movies. He died far too young.
I grew up whatching Ernest movies , he shouldn’t have diserved to die , even though I didn’t get the chance to meet him he had alwase fill my heart with laughter , joy , and incouraging me as I was a child that , hey mabe some day I want to be just like Ernest …. Many people miss you jim ….. R.I.P.
…….
R.I.P..You Will Be Sadly Missed.
I love earnest and i am sad he passed. i will mis u earnest!
i am thirteen and i have just watched a few earnest not to long ago for the first tim and the first one i watched was earnest goes to camp and i fell in love with it i am sad though he passed but at least he died peacefully.
Today I had discovered that Jim varney had made the voice of that dog in toy story and I was sad because I never knew so now they have to change the voice
What a shocker!!! an actor that played movies i grew up with my entire life! its always nice to go back and watch and watch some of his ernest movies. I came online to see what you were doing today and boy did i get a suprise! . . . gunna miss you guy. Im gunna quit smoking now cause I read about how fast it took you my man. rest in peace in this internet world!
I truely miss my childhood hero
Dang Jim your alter ego in those earnest movies was so remarkable growing up with those movies brought smiles and smiles upon my face…….. Now to only have read that u died from lung cancer, damn man brings tears to my eyes, it’s kinda of crazy that something like that could take out some 1 so great! You r still great and if there is such thing as another life dang I hope your in it, I suppose we all have r own crosses to carry.
loved jim in all his work, one of a kind r i p jim
Jim, though I don’t remember it, to look at the pictures we had a good time making funny faces at each other as you held me at Linder’s when I was a baby. Thanks for the laughs while growing up — I love your movies. May you rest in peace.
Great guy. “You know what mean”. (In my Ernest voice) lol!!
I love you so much. I miss you still have all your movies on vhs and dvd. Miss you Ernest. You are always with me. One funny man. XOXOXO
Jim was a great actor I wish I could have know him way back when he first started here in Ky. Jim was from about 2 hrs from where I live, I just wish I could have met him before he left this world. Jim you are sadly missed an we all thank you for the years of great acting and comedy. From one Hillbilly to the next God Rest your soul brother.
OH… how I miss the fun and laughter of Ernest P. Worrell! I have never seen anyone with that sense of humor…or that ability to make you laugh till tears rolled down your legs! You are missed SOO MUCH!!!!!!
man so sad i will miss him i liked his movies funny man
From one Kentucky boy to another, well, “Ya know what I mean Vern”.
will miss you jim
I just found out hes dead cant believe it! No wonder i havent seen him on the big screen for so many years! Only gooled him cause i was just watching a simpson episode which he starred in him. RIP
Jim, I can’t believe that you have been gone for 11 years now. You probly don’t remember me but we went to Lafayette together. You graduated two years ahead of me.I actually don’t remember see you in the hallways at Lafayette. I hope to see you in Heaven one day. Rest In Peace, Jim.
jim i never knew you as anything else other then ernest but i remember when i was sick my mom would always rent ernest movies for me and they would always seem to make me feel better. i to this day enjoy those movies still 10 -15 years later. i remember when i found out you passed on i didnt want to believe my dad and saw it on the news. jim thanks for the laughs and RIP i hope to meet you in heaven ya know what i mean vern
make me look like a wall street tycoon that says it all jim
you will be miss man
Wow, i remember hearing he passed years ago but yesterday i was crusin the web and came across his Wikipedia. I have had a feeling of sadness since. He died at the age of 50 from being a heavy smoker. I am 19 years away from 50 and have been a heavy smoker since age 17. Needless to say i had 2 cigarettes left and smoked 1 and threw the other away and it has been 24 hours since i did that. I dont know, seeing this man i grew up watching and havent thought about in years and seeing his wikipedia photo and knowing he died from the smokes just did something to me. Jim, you affected me as a kid and in some odd occurence you have managed to affect me years later… RIP. To think that Ernest P. Worrell would be the final kick to the butt i needed to quit smoking. Wouldnt that be something?
Wow, it has been nearly 6 full days without a cigarette. I feel great, the cravings are becoming more and more minimal. I honestly have Jim Varney to thank for this, like i posted before it was his bio and story and made it all click and made me decide to put the cigarettes down. I wish there was a way for him to know how he affected me or some of his loved ones to know he is still making a difference to total strangers a decade after his death. RIP Mr. Jim. Just from what i read on the web you still matter to many, many people.
Jim you were Amazing
i don’t believe there could ever be a person in this world that could have ever topped your type of acting skills! You were the Best Ever 
Every time i watch your movies i feel like im there with you 
even though you are gone. im still one of your biggest fans, I always will be. i always wanted to meet you when i was little and growning up just to give you a big hug and to tell you what an impact you had made on my life as an actor. you are very missed and loved and even more missed and Loved even now, Love you! Rip Mr.Jim.
i miss you VERY much!
Smoke free, monday will be 3 weeks. I did it, i kicked the habit. I have had faith in God for many years and I no doubt believe this was divine intervention. Somehow, someway it was Jim Varney that put the point across to me that cigarettes were leading me to an early death. Thank you Jim, i wish you could know what you did for me.
my kids always used to watch ernest scared stupid at halloween, it was a tradition. they moved away, but i still watch it.all the ernest goes to movies were awsome,but the last one,ernest goes to heaven, only makes me cry. miss you bro.
Hey Jim, It was great eating crab legs with you and telling jokes at the floating clam bar in Hendersonville Tenn. I miss you and love who you are. God Bless You Jim.
i miss u jim u were a great comical human
i just wondering did he have kids and have bro or sister and family?