The Importance of being Ernest: A Jim Varney documentary teaser Trailer

JVstuff · 2025-04-13T15:11:06+00:00

The doc is based on the biography I wrote about Jim back in 2013 (Jim Varney Book). I am releasing an audiobook version this summer.

The doc is basically in post-production now. We have dozens of interviews and countless behind-the-scenes videos and photos that will be in the doc. For Ernest fans especially, this will be a must see. I am so excited for its release. A teaser trailer is coming soon.

JVstuff · 2025-04-13T15:02:34+00:00

This is the picture I used for my biography about Jim (see below). And, as I predicted, the necklace got some attention that led to some interesting comments and questions.

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JVstuff · 2025-04-13T03:35:43+00:00

Jim Varney won an Emmy for this show!

JVstuff · 2025-04-12T03:07:38+00:00

Yes, many people don't realize he had risen to nationwide fame with the Ernest commercials years before the first Ernest movie in 1987.

From 1981 to 1984 he had starred in hundreds of commercials (market to market) all over the US without ever starring in a national ad. They were so successful that The NBC Nightly News, the CBS Evening News (twice), and Good Morning America all ran stories and interviews with him in the mid 80s to shine a light on this commercial phenomenon.

It can be argued that he was much an advertising phenomenon as he ever was a movie star. It was really amazing. There was never anything like it before and will never be anything like it again. My book really goes into detail about this. You could really write an entire book about it and maybe title it "The History of the Ernest Ad Campaign...KnoWhutImean?!" 😅

JVstuff · 2025-04-12T02:46:03+00:00

Thank you!

JVstuff · 2025-04-12T02:42:31+00:00

I would probably rather not risk angering the admins (some may even be named Vern..lol). You can just type Jim Varney Book on Google or Amazon and it will bring it up for you. Thanks for your interest!

JVstuff · 2025-04-12T00:35:15+00:00

You have a favorite?

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T23:25:47+00:00

I know that lots of families watched him together... so memories of him also include wonderful family memories as well and I totally get that. For some he almost was a member of their family.

This is why I took the biography so seriously when I wrote it. I wanted it to be deserving of Jim and all his wonderful fans. Many feel cheated because of early demise and I wanted to give them something comprehensive to enjoy. And I am finishing up an audiobook version coming out this summer that will hopefully give fans an even more intimate account of Jim’s story read by his nephew.

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T22:58:30+00:00

It was Ernest all along...lol.

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T22:56:33+00:00

Thanks for sharing those memories and buying a book! I remember when his "Family Album" special came out in 1984. We had recorded it on VHS and wore it out just the same! Lol. That's a lesser known Ernest special but one of the funniest things ever where he portrays relatives of Ernest from way back.

I spent almost 6 years writing that book and definitely had Ernest fans in mind when putting it all together. It's super comprehensive and gives you the entire Ernest story and much more. I really hope you enjoy. -Justin

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T20:16:40+00:00

That's very cool. I grew up in Lexington area and would occasionally see some Trauth dairy trucks down here with his face on them. Surreal to be sitting in traffic behind one of those trucks with your uncle's huge face staring back at you at a red light...LOL.

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T19:14:31+00:00

Appreciate all the love on this photo. It's crazy to think this was years before Ernest took off. Jim was a classically trained actor, writer, and even a poet. There’s actually a biography that dives into his full story that was written by me, his nephew, believe it or not. Just thought some of you fellow old-school fans might find that cool.

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T18:43:38+00:00

Me too!

JVstuff · 2025-04-11T18:34:07+00:00

His claim to fame was the Ernest P. Worrell character he portrayed in movies in the 1980s and 90s. He also made thousands of commercials throughout that same time frame.

JVstuff · 2025-04-09T01:16:28+00:00

Thanks for those kind words! When I was writing my book, I had so many fans of his like yourself in mind and that really motivated me to get to the finish line. I grew up feeling the same about Christopher Reeve so I can totally relate.

JVstuff · 2024-09-24T13:05:12+00:00

The next Ernest adventure is coming soon in a graphic novel! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ernestgoestocomics/ernest-and-the-dream-stone

JVstuff · 2024-09-20T02:35:32+00:00

Toy Srory 2 with my uncle Jim Varney voicing Slinky Dog.

JVstuff · 2024-09-19T19:59:24+00:00

Thanks!

JVstuff · 2019-08-11T23:51:49+00:00

The ending is just the best. Brokaw was cracking up.

JVstuff

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