Jim Varney gained prominence with TV viewers in the 1980s in a series of commercials (often advertising dairy products) playing good ole boy Ernest P Worrell pitching products to his unseen pal Vern, and usually ending up a comical victim by fadeout.
In this zany Saturday morning CBS series he built on that gimmick, playing the Worrell character and others (including Sgt Glory, Dr Otto and bitter old Auntie Nelda) in comic sketches designed to teach kids some valuable lessons in life as well as generate a few laughs.
The title came from the catchphrase he used at the start of each of the commercials.
Though the series did not last long, the character did surface in several films in the 1990s, including Ernest Goes to Jail (1990) and Ernest Scared Stupid (1991).
Jim Varney died of lung cancer at the age of 50 on 10 February 2000.
Ernest P Worrell/Auntie Nelda/Sgt Glory/Dr Otto/Astor Clement
Jim Varney Chuck/Lonnie Don/Matt Finish
Gailard Sartain Mac
Mac Bennett Bobby
Bill Byrge Earl the Barber/Willie the Homemade Robot/Ernest’s Tongue
Daniel Butler Existo/Mike the Clown/Bill
Bruce Arntson Mrs Simon Simmons
Jackie Welch Skeeter
Debi Derryberry Mrs Clown
Denice Hicks
