Jim Varney Biography: Cause of Death, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Height, Ethnicity, Parents, Films, Awards

James Albert Varney Jr., widely known as Jim Varney, was an American actor and comedian who rose to fame through his portrayal of the bumbling yet endearing Ernest P. Worrell.

The character made its debut in regional commercials in the 1980s. Eventually, it became a cultural phenomenon, leading to a series of eight feature films, a Saturday morning show, and Disney’s embrace of Ernest Goes to Camp and its sequels.

In addition to Ernest, Varney lent his voice to the beloved Slinky Dog in the first two Toy Story films and portrayed Jed Clampett in the 1993 film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies.

Profile

• Full name: James Albert Varney Jr.
• Date of birth: June 15, 1949
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
• State of origin: Kentucky
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, comedian, voice actor, writer
• Height: 6 ft (1.85 m)  
• Parents: Nancy Louise Varney (mother), James Albert Varney Sr. (father)
• Siblings: N/A
• Spouse: Jacqueline Drew (m. 1977–1983), Jane Varney (m. 1988–1991)  
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: N/A
• Religion: N/A
• Ethnicity: Primarily English and Scottish descent  
• Net worth: US$6 million at death

Early Life and Education

James Albert Varney Jr. was born on June 15, 1949, to parents Nancy Louise Varney and James Albert Varney Sr. He began performing at age eight in Lexington, Kentucky, after his mother, Nancy Varney, recognized his talent for mimicry and enrolled him in children’s theatre.

He attended Lafayette High School, where he won state drama competitions before dropping out; later, he studied at the Barter Theatre in Virginia and performed in Opryland’s folk shows. Varney never attended college, despite rumours linking him to Murray State University.

Personal Life

Varney was married twice: first to Jacqueline Drew from 1977 to 1983, then to Jane Varney from 1988 to 1991. There is no public record of children. He largely kept his personal life private, focusing attention on his professional persona and avoiding public controversies or extramarital affairs.

Career

Varney’s career began in regional theatre, stand-up comedy, and dinner theatre in his teenage years. He gained national attention as Ernest P. Worrell in hundreds of commercials, which led to the feature film Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1986) and the popular Ernest film franchise: Ernest Goes to Camp (1987), Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), Ernest Goes to Jail (1990), Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), Ernest Rides Again (1993), Ernest Goes to School (1994), Slam Dunk Ernest (1995), Ernest Goes to Africa (1997), and Ernest in the Army (1998).

He also played Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) and voiced Slinky Dog in Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999), as well as Cookie Farnsworth in Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001).

Awards

Year: 1988

• Award: Daytime Emmy Award
• Category: Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series
• Work: Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!
• Result: Won

Year: 1987

• Award: Golden Raspberry Award
• Category: Worst New Star
• Work: Ernest Goes to Camp
• Result: Nominated

Net worth

At his death in 2000, Varney’s net worth was about $6 million (approx. $11 million today). His estate is estimated to be worth $12 million in 2025, driven by continued revenue from his films, commercials, voice work, and character royalties.

Death

Jim Varney died of lung cancer on February 10, 2000, at his home in White House, Tennessee. He was 50 years old. He was buried in Lexington Cemetery, Kentucky.

Social Media

• N/A

Filmography

• Spittin’ Image (1982) as Sheriff
• Know what time? Hey Vern, It’s My Family Album (1983) as Ernest P.
• Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985) as Dr. Otto/Ernest P. Worrell and others
• Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) as Ernest P. Worrell
• Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) as Ernest P. Worrell and others
• Fast Food (1989) as Wrangler Bob Bundy
• Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) as Ernest P. Worrell and others
• Ernest Scared Stupid (1991) as Ernest P. Worrell and others
• Ernest Rides Again (1993) as Ernest P. Worrell
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) as Jed Clampett
• Ernest Goes to School (1994) as Ernest P. Worrell
• The Expert (1995) as Snake
• Slam Dunk Ernest (1995) as Ernest P. Worrell
• Toy Story (1995) voice of Slinky Dog
• Snowboard Academy (1996) as Rudy James
• Ernest Goes to Africa (1997) as Ernest P. Worrell and others
• 100 Proof (1997) as Rae’s Father
• Blood, Friends and Money (1997) as The Old Mariner