Jim Varney and theErnestfranchise will be explored in an upcoming documentary calledThe Importance of Being Ernest. The trailer was released earlier this month on what would have been Varney’s 71st birthday. Sadly, Varney died over two decades ago, but his movies are still fondly remembered by those who were there for the peak of theErnestmovies' fame in the ’80s and ’90s. His legendary Ernest P. Worrell character and his life outside of wearing the denim vest and tan hat will all be highlighted in the new documentary, and you can watch the official trailer for the movie below.
The new documentary is an officially-sanctioned collaboration between Justin Lloyd (Varney’s nephew and biographer), Daniel Butler (veteranErnestfranchise writer, actor, and collaborator), and David Pagano (filmmaker and co-host & producer of “Ernest Goes to Podcast”). In the new trailer, the three can be seen speaking about the project and what to expect from the documentary. “We’re on a mission to tell you whoJim Varney, and Ernest, really were,” the trio states in the video, promising some never-before-seen footage to showcase another unseen side to Varney.
A talented actor and comedian, Varney is certainly best known for his long-running movie series where he starred as fan favorite character Ernest P. Worrell. Beginning withErnest Goes to Campin in 1987, Varney would take the character on all kinds of zany adventures in sequels likeErnest Goes to Jail,Ernest Scared Stupid,Ernest Saves Christmas,Ernest Goes to School, andSlam Dunk Ernest. If Varney hadn’t left us in 2000, there’s a good chance he’d still be portraying the character today now that we’re in the midst of Hollywood’s age of reboots.
Varney is also well known for his other movie and television roles outside of theErnest franchise. He is very well remembered for starring as the new Jed Clampett in the 1993 movie adaptation ofThe Beverly Hillbilliesand for voicing Slinky Dog in the first twoToy Storymovies. Varney would also voice the carnie Cooter in a very memorable episode ofThe Simpsonswhich saw his character and his son taking over the Simpson family home. Released posthumously, his final roles were in the 2001 comedyDaddy and Themand in the animated Disney adventureAtlantis: The Lost Empire.
