I used to love Ernest growing up. The Halloween movie scared the shit out of me. I was shocked to find out about his Shakespearean acting chops. Rest easy ya crazy bastard.
I knew someone who worked with him ages ago and told me not only did he have a heart of gold, but he also had a photographic memory and would memorize scripts and shoot with no issues. He's one of the very few that there's millions of stories out there about him and none of them are bad. He really was a sweet man who I like to think God called home early because he was too good for this world. The Ernest films are still some of the very few that legitimately make me belly laugh.
I will never forget that scene in Ernest Saves Christmas, watched it recently, there's this scene where he's doing a truck driver character delivering snakes to a hollywood set and he says "That's what people in Hollywood like: Snakes!" That was his most legendary performance in my opinion 🤣🤣
I met Jim twice in my younger years. Once, at a friend's wedding reception in southern Indiana. He popped into the lodge because his fishing trip in Brown County got rained out. The second time was at "Phoenix Hill" in Louisville. He came into the dressing room where my band was hanging out between sets. We smoked a ton and drank even more. I nearly pissed myself laughing.
I wish Jim Varney had more time to branch into other roles, he had so much talent and was just starting to break into more serious roles before he passed. RIP
I lived in Nashville and worked in advertising before and when Jim got so big. Worked with him a few times. He was as smart and decent as he was talented.
Jim was a sweet and loving man. Very easy to talk to and always made you laugh. Smoking a cigarette on a porch and he would quietly listen to your stories like he wasn't a movie star. He was easily one of the most charming men you could ever meet.
That might be the best Received Pronunciation I've ever heard out of an American actor. There was always something incredibly special about this man. I miss him very much.
So, I guess you think you deserve a cookie. Varney was one of the biggest assholes in business. Even the comedians in los Angeles at the Comedy Club hated him because he was so annoying and egotistical. Worst comedian in history.
That's a great memory Bob. To actually be so close up in watching him perform. I loved Earnest so much as a child. Summer Camp one was my favorite. Completely forgot about the commercials he would do
@@_Trenchfoot_ In other words, you, being the real loser, think you can identify with the man, but like most morons, confuse the person with a character they play. YOU LOSE, asshole!
I would always beg my dad to rent Ernest goes camp. They were great as a young kid, so was his TV show. Even saw Ernest goes to jail at the drive in before it closed.
@@SwarthySkinnedOne I looked up the definition and it seems it is a broad term. So it's just my opinion then. I would prefer to call Ernest a fool rather than a jerk.
@@SolarisKane That's why I asserted "same difference". A Jerk can be someone who tends to be carelessly to deliberately inconsiderate and rude (an asshole, a douche, a dick etc.) or simply socially inept (like Earnest made a career of being, goofball style). But either way both can be annoying and get on one's last nerve. Agree?
He had a heck of a range. I remember he also played a small part on Roseanne (he was an aristocratic boyfriend of Jackie's). And don't forget Slinky Dog!!! Rest well, Mr. Varney.
*THEY NEED TO MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT THE MAKING OF ALL THE ERNEST MOVIES. A TRUE TESTAMENT TO SMALL-BUDGET, INDEPENDENT FILM.* R.I.P. JIM VARNEY A HIDDEN GEM
My favorite memory of one of my late uncles was when he took my cousins and I to see "Earnest Goes to Jail"..we were the only ppl in the room for that showing..it was awesome!
Jim Varney, was one of the most wholesome souls on this planet. He had such a gentle aura about him, his comedy was hilarious, his acting sublime, and put his heart into his craft. We lost him so damn early, but are incredibly fortunate to have so many memories in his commercials, movies and persona on tv. Rest easy Jim, so many of us miss you!
Get Mike Roe the script. We need to make this happen. Miss the dude. Good wholesome fun. I use his line all the time. People don't get it. I have to remindd them.
My favorite bit by Jim will always be the scene in The Beverly Hillbillies' movie where he and the rest of the Clampett clan figured that flipping ppl off was the way ppl in California said 'howdy'.
@@chuckhouse5179 yes,he was. When that movie came out,I was in high school,and a friend of mine and I had a sleep over at her house and watched it. I honestly didn't go into it thinking it was going to be any good. Two hours later,she and i both were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. I think if they had picked anyone but Mr.Varney for Jed, it would have been awful. Heck,the whole cast was tailor made. I grew up watching the old episodes on tv bc my dad loved the show. I loved it!
I had no idea as a kid how perfectly cast he was as Jed Clampett. He was amazing. Fun fact: because of this movie, I still call Diedrich Bader Jethro 😂
I used to love watching Jim's Saturday morning show, which followed Pee-Wee's Playhouse and was equally hilarious. That was the best way to start a weekend!!
@Sçøtt Sállëy No we didn't forget them until we thought about Varney, those guys couldn't compare to Jim and he didn't have to be a burn out to make it.
Sçøtt Sállëy Who said anything about forgetting anyone? The guy just made a comment and stated an opinion on Jim Varney. How are the others even relevant to the conversation?
my sister had a poster of him in various poses...dramatic/mime, I think...for the north carolina association of educators. she sold it in a yard sale before moving to costa rica in the 90s. I've regretted not taking that thing for myself. I hope whomever took it appreciates it.
Xa Agripha he had the effect on me as a kid as well. Lots of ‘90s-era child actors were older men playing an immature version of an adult, but with Ernest it was never felt patronizing. The vibe this guy emitted was so carefree and nonjudgmental that I truly believed he was a friend of mine, roaming around the outside world, occasionally inviting me along on his adventures.
That man helped shaped my humor growing up. From Earnest Scared Stupid to Beverly Hillbillies. This is the first time I’ve seen him do Shakespeare even though I heard his was really good! That man was the definition of hard work and talent!
The fact that such a brilliant and versatile performer never got frustrated playing the same character just because he knew people loved it says a lot about the man.
I remember watching this NBC Nightly News story when it originally aired!!! I was a senior in high school and I had been such a big fan of Jim Varney and his on-air persona, Ernest P. Worrell ever since I saw him on TV for the first time. I even remember Jim doing the Shakespearean monologue at the beginning and end of this piece. Too bad he's no longer with us, though. Jim Varney was one in a TRILLION!! Know-wut-I-mean, Vern???? :) ;)
“... and she said she found the beef in the spaghetti sauce.” LOL, best thing I have ever heard!! Oh, the rest of the video is great, too. I love Jim Varney, but damn, that opening quote is classic!
Man this brought back some gd feels. He was always a good watch as a kid, and gd to know these commercials took him all the way up thru a TV show and a few movies.
2:30 When asked has Ernest harmed Jim Varney he says no. But there was a look on his face that made me sad. Of course Jim was horribly typecast. If he had made it onto Saturday Night Live or some other major medium he could have become a real star in the entertainment industry.
Yeah I saw that look, too. Ed O’Neill was bitter for many years for being inseparable from Al Bundy. In his older age he’s developed appreciation for it. If Varney lived long enough he’d have done more diverse roles and probably would have appreciated how he gave birth to an iconic, although goofy, character that catapulted his career
I don't think he's really that sad about it. He loved being an entertainer and he loved kids. To the point that he wouldn't let pictures of him smoking be taken. He didn't want kids going "Well Ernest smokes, so it's okay.".
By far my favorite growing up. I still use some of his lines today. I cannot by a gallon of milk without referring to it as "Good 'ol Hungarian Miak" from Ernest Scared Stupid. Or when I hear a semi-truck engage the Jake I always say "Air Breaks" from Ernest Saves Christmas. Thank you for posting this.
I want to see the Shakespeare clip by itself. It's a shame Varney got stuck with Ernest doing comedy, when it's obvious he had the capacity for so much more.
PSMTCHEF Ernest Saves Christmas also showcased his other hilarious characters like Aunt Nelda, she nearly does a Shakespearean soliquoy in the movie lol.
that's why most talent see type casting as a negative. Remember that the next time you complain that your favorite band didn't play enough of their greatest hits at a concert.
