In the early 1980s, Jim Varney’s character of Ernest P. Worrell was a huge hit on television 30 seconds at a time.
Worrell’s goofy dimwit pitched everything from ice cream to cars and news teams.
His catchphrase “knowhutImean” quickly entered the American lexicon and sold thousands if not millions of t-shirts.
Before the “Hey Vern” movement peaked, some of Ernest’s best commercials advertised Roanoke, Virginia television station WDBJ.
People were so entertained by the commercials, they started calling the station wanting to know about “Ernest.”
The popularity of the commercials led WDBJ to bring Varney to Roanoke’s Festival in the Park in June of 1984 for a personal appearance.
“Commercials star to be at festival
(Roanoke Times May 15, 1984)
Ernest, the hillbilly character who ardently recites the virtues of WDBJ-TV (Channel 7) on the popular promotional spots, will make a personal appearance at Festival in the Park. He’s due to arrive at the festival at noon on June 2, according to Channel 7 spokeswoman Lorraine Snebold. She said he’ll be here mainly to press the flesh, but there may be a press conference.“
People waited in a line a block long to shake his hand and have their picture taken with him.
Mike Hudson, ROANOKE TIMES, June 3, 1984
“He never quit smiling as he kissed babies and hammed it up for the cameras.
This was no slick-talking politician. It was Jim Varney, “Your Ol’ Buddy Ernest” from WDBJ-TV’s promotional ads, holding court on the steps of the downtown library.
People waited as long as an hour to see the hillbilly character with the comical mug. “It’s kinda like watching kids see Santa,” said J.M. “Jim” Robbins, a free-lance photographer who had brought his 5-year-old daughter, Jessi.
Lorraine Snebold, WDBJ’s promotions director, said the station gave out 2000 Ernest masks and 8000 autographed photos. There were so many people waiting for Ernest’s scheduled noon arrival, police had to block off Jefferson Avenue and help station employees with crowd control. she said.” – Mike Hudson, Roanoke Times, June 3, 1984
Varney’s commercials for companies across the nation boomed. So much so, it led to bigger and better things for the rubber-faced actor.
He starred in his first movie, “Ernest Goes to Camp” in 1987.
That film led to a 1988 Saturday morning kid’s show, “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest.” It only ran one season but won Varney an Emmy for Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Show.
Varney’s career as Ernest continued to shine for another decade. He made a total of nine Ernest movies.
He found success with other roles including Jed Clampet in a big-budget movie version of “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Many younger fans know Varney’s voice from his work as the Slinky Dog in “Toy Story.”
Unfortunately, Varney’s voice was silenced on February 10, 2000. A heavy smoker, he died at the age of 50 from lung cancer.
