Jim Varney
Biography
James Albert “Jim” Varney Jr. (June 15 1949 – February 10 2000) was an American actor, voice artist and comedian. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, he achieved fame for portraying Ernest P. Worrell, a character that originated in television commercial campaigns and later appeared in numerous films; his performance earned an Emmy Award. Varney also provided the voice of Slinky Dog in the animated features Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999) and voiced “Cookie” Farnsworth in Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001). In live‑action cinema he played Jed Clampett in the 1993 film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies. He died at age 50 in White House, Tennessee.
Career overview
James Albert “Jim” Varney Jr. was born on June 15 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky, and died on February 10 2000 at the age of 50 in White House, Tennessee. An American actor, voice artist, and comedian, Varney built a career around a distinctive comic persona. He achieved his greatest public recognition for the character Ernest P. Worrell, a role that originated in a series of television commercial campaigns and expanded into a number of feature films. The Ernest performance earned him an Emmy Award for comedy, underscoring the character’s impact on both advertising and cinema.
Beyond Ernest, Varney took on several notable film parts. He portrayed Jed Clampett in the 1993 motion‑picture adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies. In animation, he supplied the voice of Slinky Dog in Pixar’s Toy Story (1995) and its sequel Toy Story 2 (1999). He also voiced “Cookie” Farnsworth in Disney’s Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001). According to database listings, his career encompassed roughly fifty credited acting roles. Varney was sometimes credited as James Varne, and his work remains documented across multiple film reference sites. His blend of physical comedy and vocal performance left a lasting imprint on late‑20th‑century American popular culture.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
52 titles- Seen (2021) Thanks
- Toy Story at 20: To Infinity and Beyond (2015) as Self (archive footage)
- Mr. Thornton Goes to Hollywood (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Time-Life: Country Legends Live, Vol. 3 (2005) as Self
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) as Jebidiah Allardyce 'Cookie' Farnsworth (voice)
- Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001) In Memory Of
- Daddy and Them (2001) as Hazel Montgomery
- Toy Story 2 (1999) as Slinky Dog (voice)
- Treehouse Hostage (1999) as Carl Banks
- Existo (1999) as Marcel Horowitz
- Ernest in the Army (1998) as Ernest P. Worrell
- 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain (1998) as Lothar Zogg
- Ernest Goes to Africa (1997) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Annabelle's Wish (1997) as Mr. Gus Holder (voice)
- Snowboard Academy (1997) as Rudy James
- Blood, Friends and Money (1997) as The Old Mariner
- 100 Proof (1997) as Rae's Father
- The Story Behind 'Toy Story' (1996) as Self
- Toy Story (1995) as Slinky Dog (voice)
- Slam Dunk Ernest (1995) as Ernest P. Worrell
- The Expert (1995) as Snake
- Duckman (1994) as Walt Evergreen (voice)
- Ernest Goes to School (1994) as Ernest P. Worrell
- XXX's & OOO's (1994) as Self
- Your World as I See It (1994) as Ernest P. Worrell
- The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Jed Clampett
- Wilder Napalm (1993) as Rex
- Ernest Rides Again (1993) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 2 (1992) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) as Ernest
- Disneyland's 35th Anniversary Celebration (1990) as Ernest
- Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) as Ernest P. Worrell
- The Simpsons (1989) as Cooder (voice)
- Ernest Goes to Splash Mountain (1989) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Fast Food (1989) as Wrangler Bob
- Roseanne (1988) as Prince Carlos
- Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Hey Vern, It's Ernest! (1988) as Ernest
- Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Walt Disney World Celebrity Circus (1987) as Self
- Hey Vern, Win $10,000...Or Just Count On Having Fun! (1987) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Ernest's Greatest Hits Volume 1 (1986) as Ernest P. Worrell
- The Ernest Film Festival (1986) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985) as Dr. Otto VonSchnick / Rudd Hardtact / Laughin' Jack / Guy Dandy / Auntie Nelda / Ernest P. Worrell
- The Rousters (1983) as Evan Earp
- Hey Vern, It's My Family Album (1983) as Ernest P. Worrell
- Hey Vern, It's My Family Album (1983) Writer
- Spittin' Image (1982)
- America 2-Night (1978) as Virgil Simms
- Operation Petticoat (1977) as Seaman Broom
- Alice (1976)
- The Importance of Being Ernest as Self (archive footage)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Jim Varney best known for?
Jim Varney is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), Toy Story 2 (1999), First Born (1988).
When and where was Jim Varney born?
Jim Varney was born on June 15, 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky, USA. They passed away on February 10, 2000.
How many credits does Jim Varney have?
Jim Varney has accumulated over 52 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1976 to 2021.
What is Jim Varney's background in cinema and television?
James Albert “Jim” Varney Jr. (June 15 1949 – February 10 2000) was an American actor, voice artist and comedian. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, he achieved fame for portraying Ernest P. Worrell, a character that originated in television commercial campaigns and later appeared in numerous films; his performance earned an...