Hey Vern, Ernest goes to heaven

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One of America’s greatest character actors passed away yesterday of lung cancer in his home in White House, Tennessee.
Jim Varney, better known to the world as the dim-witted but loved Ernest died at the age of 50, leaving the world with nine Ernest movies.
Ernest was first hit the small screen in 1980 doing various regional commercials for various products such as dairy, cars, pizza and radio. Ernest was known for his invincible antics in the spots which always ended with the catch phrase “knowwhutimean?”
Seven short years later Varney struck up a four picture deal with Disney which put Ernest on the big screen. Ernest’s first film hit the theatres in 1987 and became an instant cult classic.
From 1987 to 1991 “Ernest Goes To Camp (’87),” “Ernest Saves Christmas (’88)” “Ernest Goes To Jail (’90)” and “Ernest Scared Stupid (’91)” were released.
The cult following of Ernest grew and the straight to video released followed: “Ernest Rides Again (’93),” “Ernest Goes To School (’94),” “Slam Dunk Ernest (’95),” “Ernest Goes To Africa (’97)” and “Ernest In The Army (’98).”
Born on June 15, 1949 in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney began acting in local theater productions at the age of eight and by the age of 16 playing major roles in Shakespeare productions for professional companies.
Aside from his Ernest films Varney also starred in the 1993 big screen version of “The Beverly Hillbillies” and took the independent film route in the 1994 film “100 Proof.” Varney also provided the voice for “Slinky” in both “Toy Story” and “Toy Story 2″ as well as “Couder the Carny” in the “Simpsons.”
Varney was diagnosed with lung cancer in August of 1998 and it was appeared to be in remission in 1999, when he filmed “Daddy Them,” with Billy Bob Thorton. Varney’s last project was the voice of the Cook in the yet to be released animated feature, “Atlantis.”
Ernest and Slink were adored by millions and will be missed. All nine Ernest movies were comic genius, showcasing the genius of Varney and his slapstick humor.
Some may say nine was too many Ernest flicks, but until one has seen all nine, they will never understand the comic genius of Varney, knowhutimean?