Jim Varney

American actor and comedian (1949–2000)

James Albert "Jim" Varney (June 15, 1949 - February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian. He was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky. Varney is best remembered for his role as Ernest P. Worrell in many movies and television programs. He died of lung cancer in White House, Tennessee.

Jim Varney
Varney in 1999
Born
James Albert Varney

(1949-06-15)June 15, 1949
DiedFebruary 10, 2000(2000-02-10) (aged 50)
White House, Tennessee, United States
Cause of deathLung cancer
Resting placeLexington Cemetery
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Occupation(s)Stand-up comedian, actor, writer, musician, voice actor, comedian
Years active1976–2000
Known forErnest P. Worrell
Slinky Dog from the Toy Story series
Spouse(s)Jacqueline Drew
(m. 1977-1983, divorced)
Jane Varney
(m. 1988-1991, divorced)
Signature

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1982 Spittin' Image Sheriff
1983 Knowhutimean? Hey Vern, It's My Family Album Ernest P. Worrell / Davy Worrell & Company / Ace Worrell / Lloyd Worrell / Billy Boogie Worrell / Rhetch Worrell / Pop Worrell
1986 Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam Dr. Otto / Ernest P. Worrell / Rudd Hardtact / Laughin' Jack / Guy Dandy / Auntie Nelda
Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 1 (The Ernest Film Festival) Ernest P. Worrell
1987 Ernest Goes to Camp
Hey Vern, Win $10,000...Or Just Count on Having Fun!
1988 Ernest Saves Christmas Ernest P. Worrell / Aster Clement / The Governor's Student / Auntie Nelda / Mrs. Brock / Marty's Mother / The Snake Guy
1989 Fast Food Wrangler Bob Bundy
1990 Back to the Future Part III Riley Winstone
Ernest Goes to Jail Ernest P. Worrell / Felix Nash / Auntie Nelda
Ghost Danny Klassen
1991 Ernest Scared Stupid Ernest P. Worrell / Phineas Worrell / Auntie Nelda / Various Relatives
1992 The Library Johnny
Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 2 Ernest P. Worrell
1993 Wilder Napalm Rex
The Beverly Hillbillies Jed Clampett
Ernest Rides Again Ernest P. Worrell
1994 Ernest Goes to School
1995 Slam Dunk Ernest
Thomas the Tank Engine James the Red Engine Voice only
The Expert Snake
Toy Story Slinky Dog Voice only
Jumanji Toby Shepherd
Bubba Goes Hunting Bubba
1996 Snowboard Academy Rudy James
1997 Blood, Friends and Money The Old Mariner
100 Proof Rae's Father
Ernest Goes to Africa Ernest P. Worrell / Hey You, the Hindu / Auntie Nelda / African Woman Dancer
Annabelle's Wish Mr. Gus Holder Voice only
1998 Ernest in the Army Pvt./Capt. Ernest P. Worrell / Operation Sandtrap Arab
3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain Lothar Zogg
Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island James Rivers Voice only
1999 Existo Marcel Horowitz
Treehouse Hostage Carl Banks
I Hate County Slinky Dog Voice only
Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost Earl Ravencroft
Toy Story 2 Slinky Dog
2000 Ernest the Pirate Ernest P. Worrell Cancelled due to his death
Between the Lions: Superheroes Frankie Labourdi
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie Humphrey Voice only
2001 Daddy and Them Hazel Montgomery
Atlantis: The Lost Empire Jebidiah 'Cookie' Farnsworth Voice only, final film

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 Operation Petticoat Doom & Gloom Broom
Fernwood 2 Night Virgil Simms Episode: "Ethnic Myths"
Episode: "Getting the Most from Your Warranty"
Episode: "#1.46"
Episode: "Battery Powered Car"
1978 America 2-Night Virgil Simms Episode: "Daredevil Virgil Simms"
Episode: "Falafel-on-a-Stick"
Episode: "The UBS Story"
Operation Petticoat Seaman 'Doom & Gloom' Broom 32 episodes
Alice Milo Skinner Episode: "Better Never Than Later"
1979 Alan King's Third Annual Final Warning! Various
1980 Pink Lady Various All 6 episodes
1982–83 "Pop! Goes the Country" Unknown episodes
1983 The Rousters Evan Earp TV series pilot film
The Rousters Evan Earp All 13 episodes
1988 Hey Vern, It's Ernest! Ernest P. Worrell / Various
1988–89 Happy New Year, America Ernest P. Worrell / Correspondent Live New Year's Eve special
1989 Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain Ernest P. Worrell
1990 Disneyland Ernest P. Worrell / Ernest's Father Episode: "Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration"
Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration Ernest P. Worrell
1992 Rugrats Man SWAT Officer #2 Episode: "Garage Sale"
1994 XXX's & OOO's Cameo
1996 Roseanne Prince Carlos Episode: "Someday My Prince Will Come"
Episode: "Home Is Where the Afghan Is"
1997 Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man Walt Evergreen Voice only
Episode: "You've Come a Wrong Way, Baby"
1998 Hercules: The Animated Series King Ephialtes Voice only
Episode "Hercules and the Dance Muse"
1998 The Simpsons Cooder Voice only
Episode: "Bart Carny"

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Toy Story: Activity Center Slinky Dog Voice only
1996 Animated Storybook: Toy Story
1999 Toy Story 2: Activity Center
1999 Toy Story 2: Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue
2000 Atlantis: The Lost Empire Cookie

Other websites

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