Who are Jim Varney's Parents?
So who are Jim Varney's Parents? According to our research, Jim Varney's Parents are James Albert Varney, Sr. and Louise Varney . Jim Varney is an American actor and comedian, born on 15 June 1949.
Real Name
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James Albert Varney Jr.
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Date of birth
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15 June 1949
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Age
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51 years old (At the time of death)
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Height
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185 cm, 6 feet 1 inch
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Birth Place
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Lexington, Kentucky, United States
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Gender
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Male
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Profession
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American actor and comedian
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Nationality
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American
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Parents
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James Albert Varney, Sr.
Louise Varney
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Instagram
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Link
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Who was Jim Varney?
James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949 – February 10, 2000) was a renowned American actor and comedian, celebrated for his iconic comedic portrayal of Ernest P. Worrell, a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy Award.
Beyond his comedic success, Varney made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, gracing both film and television commercial advertising campaigns with his versatile talent.
One of Varney's notable performances was as Jed Clampett in the film adaptation of "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1993), showcasing his ability to bring characters to life on the big screen
TRENDING
Jim Varney Career
Early Career:
- In 1976, Varney was a regular cast member on the television show "Johnny Cash and Friends" and appeared on the faux late-night talk show "Fernwood 2 Night."
- From 1977 to 1979, he portrayed Seaman "Doom & Gloom" Broom in the television version of "Operation Petticoat."
- Prior to his role as Ernest, Varney was part of the cast of the television show "Pink Lady and Jeff" and played Milo Skinner on "Alice" in 1978.
Work for Carden and Cherry:
- Varney's most famous character, Ernest P. Worrell, was introduced in 1980 in a commercial advertising an appearance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
- The character was franchised and used in markets nationwide, often employed by dairies to promote milk products.
- Varney created another character, Sgt. Glory, for Carden and Cherry, portraying a humorless drill instructor encouraging cows to produce better milk.
- He starred in commercials for natural gas utilities, Braum's Ice Cream and Dairy Stores, car dealerships, and Convenient Food Mart during the 1980s.
- Varney co-hosted the syndicated "Pop! Goes the Country" in 1982 and portrayed "Auntie Nelda" in commercials before becoming a regular in the Ernest movies.
- In the 1990s, he reprised the role of Ernest for Blake's Lotaburger commercials in New Mexico.
Ernest's Popularity:
- The character of Ernest gained widespread popularity and led to a short-lived TV series, "Hey Vern, It's Ernest!" (1988), and a series of movies in the 1980s and 1990s.
- "Ernest Goes to Camp" (1987) was a box office success, grossing $23.5 million on a $3.5 million production budget.
- Subsequent theatrically released films included "Ernest Saves Christmas" (1988), "Ernest Goes to Jail" (1990), "Ernest Scared Stupid" (1991), and "Ernest Rides Again" (1993).
- After the financial disappointment of "Ernest Rides Again," all further films were released direct-to-video.
- The character was featured in various smaller movies for John R. Cherry III and was part of the Epcot theme park at Walt Disney World Resort.
Ernest Film Festival:
- The "Ernest Film Festival (Greatest Hits Volume 1)" was released on VHS in 1986, and "Greatest Hits Volume 2" followed in 1992.
- Mill Creek Entertainment released classic television commercials on DVD box sets in 2006, and Image Entertainment re-released them in 2012 as part of the DVD set "Ernest's Wacky Adventures: Volume 1."
Jim Varney Early Life
- James Albert Varney Jr. was born in Lexington, Kentucky.
- As a child, he demonstrated a remarkable ability to memorize long poems and portions of books, using this talent to entertain family and friends.
- His interest in theater began at the age of eight when his mother, recognizing his knack for imitating cartoon characters, enrolled him in children's theater.
- During his teenage years at Lafayette High School in Lexington, Varney won state titles in drama competitions, showcasing his early passion for acting.
- At 15, he portrayed Ebenezer Scrooge in a local theater production, and by 17, he was already performing professionally in nightclubs and coffee houses.
- Varney studied Shakespeare at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and participated in an Opryland folk show during its inaugural year in the 1970s.
- Thelma Beeler, a former teacher, played a crucial role as a mentor in Varney's journey toward becoming an actor.
- At 24, he worked as an actor at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, Kentucky, adjacent to an Old West-themed village.
- Before shows, the audience toured the village, where apprentices played townsfolk, and Varney entertained them by throwing knives into trees.
- Varney's performances at the outdoor theater often played to small audiences of a few dozen people.
- He took on various roles, including productions like "Blithe Spirit," "Boeing 707," and an original musical titled "Fire on the Mountain."
- Known for his humor, Varney once jokingly threatened a long-haired apprentice, John Lino Ponzini, with a trip to Hazard, Kentucky, suggesting he wouldn't make it down Main Street without a crewcut from the townsfolk.
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