Jim Varney

Jim Varney (1949-2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for his role as Ernest P. Worrell. He portrayed the character in various movies and television commercials, earning him a Daytime Emmy Award. Varney also appeared as Jed Clampett in the film adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) and voiced Slinky Dog in the first two Toy Story films (1995-1999). Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney displayed a talent for memorization at a young age, entertaining family and friends by reciting long poems and book passages. He died at age 50 of lung cancer on February 10, 2000, leaving behind two posthumous releases, Daddy and Them and Atlantis: The Lost Empire.