The Comedian List / Comedians / Jim Varney

Ernest P. Worrell · Toy Story · “KnowhutImean?”

Jim Varney

The Kentucky comic actor who turned a TV-ad character, Ernest P. Worrell, into a film franchise and an Emmy.

Born
June 15, 1949
Died
February 10, 2000
Character
Ernest P. Worrell
Voice
Slinky Dog
WikipediaIMDb
JV
01

Who is Jim Varney?

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949 – February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian.

He is best known for his Emmy-winning comic role as Ernest P. Worrell, who began in TV ad campaigns and grew into a film and TV franchise, including Ernest Goes to Camp (1987) and Ernest Saves Christmas (1988).

He played Jed Clampett in the 1993 film The Beverly Hillbillies, recording “Hot Rod Lincoln” for it, and voiced Slinky Dog in Toy Story (1995) and Toy Story 2 (1999). His last films, Daddy and Them and Atlantis: The Lost Empire, came out after he died.

02

Timeline

  1. 1980sErnest P. Worrell TV ads
  2. 1987Ernest Goes to Camp
  3. 1988Ernest Saves Christmas
  4. 1993Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies
  5. 1995Slinky Dog in Toy Story
  6. 1999Toy Story 2
  7. 2001Atlantis: The Lost Empire (posthumous)
03

Specials, TV & more

Film · 1987Ernest Goes to CampErnest P. Worrell
Film · 1988Ernest Saves Christmas
Film · 1993The Beverly HillbilliesJed Clampett
Film · voice, 1995Toy StorySlinky Dog
Film · voice, 1999Toy Story 2Slinky Dog
Film · voice, 2001Atlantis: The Lost Empire
04

Where he comes up

Episodes where Jim Varney comes up.

Oct 22, 2026We’re Having a Good TimeEp 189 – Is Anything Real? · comes up at 9:20: Ernest hitting a home run in an AI video: Dusty knew it was fake because Varney is gone.Watch on YouTube ▸
05

On My Show Notes

Live My Show Notes episode pages that mention Jim Varney.

06

Jim Varney FAQ

Who played Ernest P. Worrell?

Jim Varney, in TV ads and films like Ernest Goes to Camp (1987).

Who voiced Slinky Dog in Toy Story?

Jim Varney, in the first two films.

Was Jim Varney in The Beverly Hillbillies?

Yes, as Jed Clampett in the 1993 film.

07

If you like Jim

More comics on the list who share stages and mics with Jim.

Dusty SlayDusty SlayJerry ClowerJerry ClowerJeff FoxworthyJeff FoxworthyJames GregoryTim AllenTim AllenRon WhiteRon White

Photos: Dusty Slay: Photo: Sarah Elizabeth Kohrt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Jerry Clower: Photo: Top Billing INC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Jeff Foxworthy: Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Tim Allen: Photo: MingleMediaTVNetwork, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Ron White: Photo: Organica Music Group, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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Facts checked Oct 26, 2026.

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