Jim Varney Net Worth - Pulptastic

What was Jim Varney’s Net Worth?

Jim Varney, the American comedian, actor, musician, voice artist, and producer, had a net worth of $12 million dollars. He was best known for his portrayal of Ernest P. Worrell in several TV commercial campaigns and movies. Varney’s catchphrase “KnoWhutIMean, Vern?” went viral nationally. He was also recognized for his voice work as Slinky Dog in the first two “Toy Story” films.

Varney starred in television series such as “Operation Petticoat” and “The Rousters,” and films such as “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Daddy and Them.”

Unfortunately, Varney was a heavy smoker, which led to the development of lung cancer. After undergoing a series of chemo treatments, he passed away in White House, Tennessee on February 10, 2000, at the age of 50.

Early Life and Career

Jim Varney was born on June 15, 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky. He showed an early talent for memorization and performance, and was enrolled in a children’s theater at the age of eight. Varney participated in stage productions during his time at Lafayette High School, and won multiple drama competition state titles. By 17, he was performing professionally at coffee houses and nightclubs. Varney studied Shakespeare at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and appeared in productions of “Blithe Spirit,” “Boeing 707,” and “Fire on the Mountain” at the Pioneer Playhouse in Danville, Kentucky.

Varney began his screen-acting career in the late 70s, appearing on “Johnny Cash and Friends” and in a recurring role on “Fernwood 2 Night.” He also had a main role on the television series adaptation of “Operation Petticoat,” and appeared on episodes of “Alice” and “Pink Lady.”

Jim Varney’s Iconic Character: Ernest P. Worrell

In 1980, Jim Varney debuted his most iconic character, Ernest P. Worrell, in a commercial for Beech Bend Park in Kentucky. Ernest was franchised for use in markets across the nation and was often used to advertise milk products, natural gas utilities, and ice cream and dairy stores. He also starred in ads for car dealerships, local TV stations, and fast food chains.

Ernest’s popularity grew, and he began appearing in films and TV programs. Varney’s first appearance as Ernest in a film was in the 1983 comedy anthology “Knowhutimean? Hey Vern, It’s My Family Album.” He later starred in his first feature-length film, the science-fiction comedy “Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam.” In 1987, he had his biggest success yet as Ernest in the box-office hit “Ernest Goes to Camp.”

Varney also appeared on the children’s TV series “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!” in 1988, for which he received a Daytime Emmy Award. He went on to star as Ernest in several more films, including “Ernest Saves Christmas,” “Ernest Goes to Jail,” “Ernest Scared Stupid,” “Ernest Rides Again,” “Ernest Goes to School,” “Slam Dunk Ernest,” “Ernest Goes to Africa,” and “Ernest in the Army,” which was Varney’s final feature film in the role.

Jim Varney’s Career Highlights

Jim Varney was known for his role as Ernest in various commercials and films, but he also had other notable credits in his career. He authored the character of Sgt. Glory and played Evan Earp in the adventure TV series “The Rousters.” On the big screen, he appeared in comedies such as “Fast Food” and “Wilder Napalm,” and played Jed Clampett in the 1993 film adaptation of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

Varney had a big year in film in 1995, voicing the character Slinky Dog in “Toy Story” and reprising the role in the sequel. He also appeared in the action thriller “The Expert” and had roles in the films “Snowboard Academy,” “100 Proof,” “3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain,” and “Treehouse Hostage.” He appeared in episodes of the TV shows “Roseanne” and “The Simpsons.”

Varney’s final two films, Billy Bob Thornton’s “Daddy and Them” and Disney’s “Atlantis: The Lost Empire,” were both released posthumously in 2001.

Jim Varney’s Life and Death

Varney married his first wife, Jacqueline Drew, in 1977 but they divorced in 1983. He then married Jane in 1988 but they divorced in 1991. In 1998, while filming “Treehouse Hostage,” Varney developed a bad cough and was diagnosed with lung cancer after filming ended. Despite the diagnosis, he continued to perform and quit smoking to do so. He underwent chemotherapy but it was not enough to improve his condition. Varney passed away at his home in Tennessee in February 2000 at the age of 50. He is buried in Lexington Cemetery in Kentucky.