Jim Varney Performing Shakespeare's Hamlet on NBC Nightly News March 22, 1985

[@bosszeroboss]

I miss Jim varney. The guy is underappreciated.

[@JanMichaelTurla]

He was also an excellent villain too and I'm not just talking about 3 Ninjas 3.

[@WiccaMoonChild03]

me to

[@PatrickBaptist]

No joke, way better than lame ol mr. rodgers.

[@thomasswafford250]

He was reading a newspaper at about four years old.

[@simpleton8554]

9 movies and 2 decades of spotlight..

[@lduranceau8046]

His portrayal of Hamlet is quite stunning. I would have loved to see him do the whole movie as Hamlet. RIP, Jim.

[@jamesanthony8438]

Earnest Saves Shakespeare =)

[@thingfish000]

Bye, Slinky Dog. 😢

[@martingoldfire]

@@jamesanthony8438 LOL!

[@MrNofnway]

I loved his movies when I was a kid. Such a simpler time...

[@martingoldfire]

@Howdy Justice Tell that to everyone who has played in movies called Hamlet...

[@SEATACx]

I used to love Ernest growing up. The Halloween movie scared the shit out of me. I was shocked to find out about his Shakespearean acting chops. Rest easy ya crazy bastard.

[@guybeleeve]

When he kissed booger lips.....🤢

[@ArcaneWorkshop]

Yep! Ernest Scared Stupid was what I grew up on too!

[@baronratfish3865]

Ernest goes to Camp! Where he pumped up the Coleman lantern 'til it took off like a rocket🚀

[@truckster7]

Man, that troll in the bed still scares my ass!!!

[@christosvoskresye]

He would have made a great Captain Picard.

[@TheAlpineProject]

Tom Brokaw, Jim Varney, and the "where's the beef?!" lady. What a trip.

[@colonelkurtz2269]

Bryan Paul Clara Peller...I have no idea why I remembered her name.😃

[@photodevries7785]

Thinking she is grate

[@jeremybear573]

Brokaw's a Joke!

[@pensivepenguin3000]

A perfect summation of my 80s childhood lol

[@dixierose5492]

I had never seen this one, tagging Hamlet with "Know what I mean Vern". I am crying. Jim Varney was the best.

[@robmoir7524]

it is okay to cry Dixie Rose Jim V a r n e y got lung cancer from smoking only 50 years old

[@robmoir7524]

sure glad I quit smoking just before the turn of the century Dixie Rose I am in my late 50s

[@theyrecousins]

Jim was one in a googolplex; that guy should still be around to see that folks love him to this day.

[@2steaksandwiches665]

Holy shit. I had no idea. He’s amazing.

[@elgatofelix8917]

I cried in laughter! This man was HILARIOUS! 😂😂😂

[@effyiew7318]

I knew someone who worked with him ages ago and told me not only did he have a heart of gold, but he also had a photographic memory and would memorize scripts and shoot with no issues. He's one of the very few that there's millions of stories out there about him and none of them are bad. He really was a sweet man who I like to think God called home early because he was too good for this world. The Ernest films are still some of the very few that legitimately make me belly laugh.

[@FeelingShred]

I will never forget that scene in Ernest Saves Christmas, watched it recently, there's this scene where he's doing a truck driver character delivering snakes to a hollywood set and he says "That's what people in Hollywood like: Snakes!" That was his most legendary performance in my opinion 🤣🤣

[@daschwah]

... the beginning of this clip is the most flawless, Simpsons-style segue ever. Well done.

[@bsfatboy]

Uncle Buckle more like, this is where the Simpson’s got this style of segue.

[@jhame085]

Literally my exact thought!

[@archerj.maggott1372]

"...And that was the first time she'd ever flown a plane."

[@denknugz87]

It has been 24 years Jim, we still love and miss you. God bless you buddy.

[@CaesarCapone]

I grew up with Ernest! He made me so happy in my childhood! Then, I realized later how great he truly was, and then he was gone!

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

I lived in Nashville and worked in advertising before and when Jim got so big. Worked with him a few times. He was as smart and decent as he was talented.

[@china_is_asshole]

@DrinkwithaMexican from what I hear yeah... he was buying cats left and right.

[@laerwen]

That might be the best Received Pronunciation I've ever heard out of an American actor. There was always something incredibly special about this man. I miss him very much.

[@DocsChannel]

Jim was a sweet and loving man. Very easy to talk to and always made you laugh. Smoking a cigarette on a porch and he would quietly listen to your stories like he wasn't a movie star. He was easily one of the most charming men you could ever meet.

[@ppgprops]

I met Jim twice in my younger years. Once, at a friend's wedding reception in southern Indiana. He popped into the lodge because his fishing trip in Brown County got rained out. The second time was at "Phoenix Hill" in Louisville. He came into the dressing room where my band was hanging out between sets. We smoked a ton and drank even more. I nearly pissed myself laughing.

[@SunBunz]

He brought so much joy to my childhood, as did Robin Williams. May they both rest in peace. Miss ya both. ❤️

[@vr4787]

I wish Jim Varney had more time to branch into other roles, he had so much talent and was just starting to break into more serious roles before he passed. RIP

[@theyrecousins]

Dunno if you’ve seen it, but if not check out Daddy and Them. One of his last roles and he really nails it.

[@kolabeans]

Mr. Varney was one of kind. My kids watch him now and laugh so hard! Talent that spans decades. Greatly missed.

[@transgirltalks1140]

we cant let him be lost to new generations! i know a guy who never even heard of ernest!

[@belmontguy]

The shoot house was a few houses down the street from us in West Meade. I got to watch him once there filming. Super nice guy.

[@TheresaPowers]

So, I guess you think you deserve a cookie. Varney was one of the biggest assholes in business. Even the comedians in los Angeles at the Comedy Club hated him because he was so annoying and egotistical. Worst comedian in history.

[@keithlol]

lol damn Katherine you're cold

[@underhill918gaming5]

@@TheresaPowers because you know everyone who's worked with him. Shhhh.

[@30AndHatingIt]

What crawled up your ass? Never mind... I probably don’t want to know.

[@rebeccagrace5715]

That's a great memory Bob. To actually be so close up in watching him perform. I loved Earnest so much as a child. Summer Camp one was my favorite. Completely forgot about the commercials he would do

[@martykeaton182]

I like to think of Ernest as a simple know-it-all klutz and not a jerk.

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

Marty Keaton Err, same difference dude.

[@SolarisKane]

@@SwarthySkinnedOne Jerk implies intention.

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

@@SolarisKane Explain, please. As you've put it, can't make any sense of it.

[@SolarisKane]

@@SwarthySkinnedOne I looked up the definition and it seems it is a broad term. So it's just my opinion then. I would prefer to call Ernest a fool rather than a jerk.

[@SwarthySkinnedOne]

@@SolarisKane That's why I asserted "same difference". A Jerk can be someone who tends to be carelessly to deliberately inconsiderate and rude (an asshole, a douche, a dick etc.) or simply socially inept (like Earnest made a career of being, goofball style). But either way both can be annoying and get on one's last nerve. Agree?

[@ff6girl]

He sounds almost like Vincent price when he's performing Hamlet. He's amazing.

[@AudioGardenSlave123]

ffvi_girl Now I wish I could hear Vincent say, "Know what I mean Vern?"

[@rog2224]

At the start there's a bit of Richard Burton in there too.

[@themudbloodjedi8390]

I hear a slight "Robin Williams" in his Shakespeare.

[@conniekreese7165]

Always thought he could do a nice version of vinny when i saw him out of character

[@timepoet77]

No, he sounds more like John Hurt.

[@JimCorrigan777]

When I think of some of the biggest influences on my childhood Jim Varney is up there with Mister Rogers all the way

[@angelawatson7318]

I miss him so much. Such a beautiful man.

[@Wolfdragon92584]

He had a heck of a range. I remember he also played a small part on Roseanne (he was an aristocratic boyfriend of Jackie's). And don't forget Slinky Dog!!! Rest well, Mr. Varney.

[@chadsmith8966]

He also played the dad in the Beverly Hillbillies movie in the 90's

[@TheresaPowers]

Fuck Varney. He was an asshole in person.

[@milesmorris9333]

@@TheresaPowers And you know this how?

[@AnastasiaLUVSU]

@@TheresaPowers You claim shit like that and then not follow up with why. Stop talking shit.

[@sleazyfellow]

@@TheresaPowers lol this person here probably was born after Jim died. Never heard anybody say anything bad about him.

[@benbishop1131]

Holy crap I never saw him do Hamlet. I loved Ernest as a kid. Jim Varney was an incredible guy.

[@archstanton7862]

He was a very talented man. There might still be an old Chevy Chase show clip floating around, where he winds up the interview by playing a dulcimer.

[@ThomasPH123]

I loved ‘Ernest saves Christmas ‘ as a child and introduced my daughters to it. Now they watch it with me every year.

[@elgatofelix8917]

I plan to make this my new Christmas season tradition from now on! 👍👍

[@BrentDelong1253]

Life's just a bus stop to somewhere infinitely better. - Jim Varney... You made the trip much brighter, Jim.

[@mutalix]

Jim Varney, was one of the most wholesome souls on this planet. He had such a gentle aura about him, his comedy was hilarious, his acting sublime, and put his heart into his craft. We lost him so damn early, but are incredibly fortunate to have so many memories in his commercials, movies and persona on tv. Rest easy Jim, so many of us miss you!

[@defaultusername123]

*THEY NEED TO MAKE A MOVIE ABOUT THE MAKING OF ALL THE ERNEST MOVIES. A TRUE TESTAMENT TO SMALL-BUDGET, INDEPENDENT FILM.* R.I.P. JIM VARNEY A HIDDEN GEM

[@jpjones5880]

Dude was my childhood, earnest Halloween, earnest Xmas. All of em. Miss that dude.

[@katievarney1968]

[@nobody-xu8ju]

Katie Varney bull shit

[@JanetStarChild]

@@nobody-xu8ju Why would anyone want to lie about that?

[@lawsonone6015]

Wow @Katie Varney, that’s cool!

[@ShortBusRuss]

@@_Trenchfoot_ But not as much of a nobody as someone who makes the effort to insult someone on KZbin. #knowwhutimeanvern?

[@MrKmanthie]

@@_Trenchfoot_ In other words, you, being the real loser, think you can identify with the man, but like most morons, confuse the person with a character they play. YOU LOSE, asshole!

[@edwardwilliamsams6589]

Grew up watching Ernst movies. Jim, thanks for the great movies, sorry you passed so young.

[@BluePisces1]

I sure do miss his humor. I wish I had been able to meet him. RIP dude.

[@1981lashlarue]

I met him when was a kid. Really nice guy.

[@jgunther3398]

If you lived in Lexington, Ky. (his home town) around that time it was hard to avoid him :) He was very friendly and approachable and funny.

[@whaler3232]

Jim was a brilliant man, he was so good at playing Ernest that folks actually believed that's the man he was.

[@ryangillis1468]

RIP Jim. Ernest P Worrell was a great memory of my childhood

[@edgarpoe5214]

God bless you Jim Varney. Been 22 years and I still miss ya.

[@ghostfacepanda]

This was the day before I was born!!!!

[@jojopo80]

Jim Varney is the greatest character actor of all time!!!!

[@FilmmakeroftheFuture]

This guy never ceases to blow my mind.

[@jasonbolin151]

I don't care what anybody thinks I was a fan and loved his movies. He was a super nice person who made fun of a stereo type in the best way.

[@benconnor3206]

Jason Bolin i agree i loved his movies and he seemed to be the nicest guy, i grew up with his movies

[@Jim26D]

I would always beg my dad to rent Ernest goes camp. They were great as a young kid, so was his TV show. Even saw Ernest goes to jail at the drive in before it closed.

[@axelwulf6220]

Hidden gems that left us too soon

[@FireTiger941]

*Jim Varney and Robin Williams...both truly talented and kindhearted men. It's such a loss*

[@satevo462]

Ernest was my childhood. I love that Beautiful Bastard.

[@proud2bpagan]

My favorite memory of one of my late uncles was when he took my cousins and I to see "Earnest Goes to Jail"..we were the only ppl in the room for that showing..it was awesome!

[@whattheheckamidoinghere4305]

Me too, I love Earnest goes to Army and Africa growing up in 2000s was great.. XD

[@SamGainesinGboro]

I used to love watching Jim's Saturday morning show, which followed Pee-Wee's Playhouse and was equally hilarious. That was the best way to start a weekend!!

[@patrickstonecrusher]

I used to wake up early to watch both those. I still can't belive I survived the 80s.

[@derlinclair6271]

God bless his dear Memory.

[@charlesroberts3650]

Wow, that was impressive, I'm glad I clicked. (Imagine him playing Hamlet in a real stage production, with Varney's voice, deadpan)

[@H0neybaby_23]

Jim Varney was amazing, and I miss him so much. I remember watching him every Saturday morning.

[@joshthomas7999]

i miss this guy

[@jonathanfunnell4167]

I LOVE JIM VARNEY WITH ALL MY HEART AND I ALWAYS WILL SUCH A WONDERFUL WONDERFUL WONDERFUL ACTOR AND MAN

[@elvampir0]

R.I.P Jim. Thanks for the laughs

[@pinedelgado4743]

I remember watching this NBC Nightly News story when it originally aired!!! I was a senior in high school and I had been such a big fan of Jim Varney and his on-air persona, Ernest P. Worrell ever since I saw him on TV for the first time. I even remember Jim doing the Shakespearean monologue at the beginning and end of this piece. Too bad he's no longer with us, though. Jim Varney was one in a TRILLION!! Know-wut-I-mean, Vern???? :) ;)

[@philiptonee6334]

Loved watching Jim on TV. RIP.

[@davidturbo8566]

Jim varney is one of the greatest comedians of all time..

[@stefaunwatson4806]

Agreed!

[@PatrickBaptist]

He fore sure was.

[@PatrickBaptist]

@Sçøtt Sállëy No we didn't forget them until we thought about Varney, those guys couldn't compare to Jim and he didn't have to be a burn out to make it.

[@PatrickBaptist]

@Sçøtt Sállëy Actually "burn out", not "born outs" as you slurred it.

[@matthewlogan6501]

Sçøtt Sállëy Who said anything about forgetting anyone? The guy just made a comment and stated an opinion on Jim Varney. How are the others even relevant to the conversation?

[@TheLionAndTheLamb777]

RIP Jim Varney, one of my favorite actors for comedic movies.

[@rickyjoyner8802]

Named my Pitbull Vern because of Jim. He lived eighteen years. Loved him like a child!

[@stardude2006]

I want to see the entire clip of Earnest reciting Shakespeare.

[@GreatNorthWeb]

Ernestio ernestio wherefore art thou ernestio?

[@TheBouncingCzech116.]

Alas poor Yorick! I knew him, Vern!

[@coolkid21k14]

Wow! I would enjoy witnessing the entire Shakespeare performance!

[@effreyjeppstein4673]

I grew up watching all his movies, to see him act like this is amazing!

[@JesseMartinez-cm7tl]

I'll always admire this man he was a part of my childhood. Thanks vern

[@Rogerthat10-1]

If they ever make a movie about Jim Varney. Mike Rowe should play him he has the voice and almost looks like him.🤔

[@scottallen6970]

Get Mike Roe the script. We need to make this happen. Miss the dude. Good wholesome fun. I use his line all the time. People don't get it. I have to remindd them.

[@Vanlifecrisis]

Definitely similarities but rowe has too much bass i think

[@shadowforge]

I cant un-hear that now, thank you

[@deborahhanna6640]

If anyone could pull it off, with justice!

[@michaelcostello2285]

I been saying this for years.

[@desotowright]

It's hilarious to hear him called "Ernest the jerk" when he's one of the sweetest, most winsome comedy figures ever, especially in the movies. :)

[@verfed]

The ending was golden! What a surprise, xDDDD I miss him.

[@GreyFox001]

I miss this guy so much.

[@chaosdream21]

This just changed my whole conception of reality.

[@MitchGrooms]

i AM FROM PARIS TENNESSEE AND WATCHED ALL THE NASHVILLE STATIONS WHERE HE GOT STARTED, HE WAS THE BEST, RIP..

[@caldwelldy]

A rare man! talented and i dont think we got to se all he had to offer.

[@bullheaded85]

Man this brought back some gd feels. He was always a good watch as a kid, and gd to know these commercials took him all the way up thru a TV show and a few movies.

[@germsincognito8329]

Wow. His Hamlet is entrancing. What an actor! Jim Varney rules!

[@rodgermurphy5721]

What a beautiful man...RIP

[@samuelatwood9924]

Earnest was one of my favorite characters ever... Jim Varney was an excellent actor who was unappreciated in his life time..

[@TheZoltanChronicles]

His Shakespeare was flawless.

[@xaagripha7326]

I remeber Ernest,he was a friend in my eyes when i was a very young child.

[@Andres-xr6bn]

Xa Agripha he had the effect on me as a kid as well. Lots of ‘90s-era child actors were older men playing an immature version of an adult, but with Ernest it was never felt patronizing. The vibe this guy emitted was so carefree and nonjudgmental that I truly believed he was a friend of mine, roaming around the outside world, occasionally inviting me along on his adventures.

[@TheANDROIDDAB]

This was posted on my bday, two years before I was born! It’s no wonder why I loved Ernest movies as a child!

[@proud2bpagan]

My favorite bit by Jim will always be the scene in The Beverly Hillbillies' movie where he and the rest of the Clampett clan figured that flipping ppl off was the way ppl in California said 'howdy'.

[@chuckhouse5179]

He was a right funny Jed Clampett.

[@proud2bpagan]

​@@chuckhouse5179 yes,he was. When that movie came out,I was in high school,and a friend of mine and I had a sleep over at her house and watched it. I honestly didn't go into it thinking it was going to be any good. Two hours later,she and i both were laughing so hard we couldn't breathe. I think if they had picked anyone but Mr.Varney for Jed, it would have been awful. Heck,the whole cast was tailor made. I grew up watching the old episodes on tv bc my dad loved the show. I loved it!

[@johnnihil1689]

That movie is so underrated lol

[@rosesweetcharlotte]

He was perfect in that movie! So sweet and funny!

[@whosaidthat84]

I had no idea as a kid how perfectly cast he was as Jed Clampett. He was amazing. Fun fact: because of this movie, I still call Diedrich Bader Jethro 😂

[@mediamannaman]

I was stationed in Hawaii in the early 80’s and we even saw his commercials there! He was hilarious!

[@davidgillespie6723]

my sister had a poster of him in various poses...dramatic/mime, I think...for the north carolina association of educators. she sold it in a yard sale before moving to costa rica in the 90s. I've regretted not taking that thing for myself. I hope whomever took it appreciates it.

[@avi2578]

I grew up watching all of his movies. He truly was a great actor. To see him doing Hamlet only cements in mind that he was astounding.

[@pamelaprater8821]

I love you and I miss you jim more than words can say

[@genebigs]

RIP Jim Varney. You gave us many hours of entertainment. Talented man!

[@webkahmik]

Reminds me of Peter O'Toole, in four notes :) He would have dominated theater. It's pretty incredible.

[@Teobi1]

Perfect British accent. All the 'if onlys'...

[@latintiger]

RIP Jim, love your movies

[@rustyshakelferg4304]

I remember watching his movies smh a simpler time

[@matthewlogan6501]

Yeah, I miss those times. Totally agree.

[@sarlaccstapeworm990]

R.I.P. Jim Varney! ❤️🙏💯

[@jimmyju76]

Loved his Jed Clampett, plaued the role perfectly

[@faerefolke]

I want to cry, I miss him so bad.

[@Michael_______]

Me too

[@bh5606]

RIP...what a gorgeous voice.

[@loriellajames6978]

I wish he didn’t smoke. He would still be alive.

[@bh5606]

@@loriellajames6978 Would have liked to see him in some straight acting roles.

[@melaniesmith1313]

I was floored to see him doing Shakespeare. I'd have paid to see him. RIP, Mr. Varney. You were a brilliant talent.

[@BlueOceanBelow]

Amazing, I finally saw Vern!

[@tomservo5007]

Vern is you

[@mmorris7419]

Jim Varney is the actor we need right now! Know what I mean? Miss ya,Jim.😂😭

[@t18amgr]

Gifted man. Bless.

[@capismama2922]

Loved this guy. Watched every freakin movie the guy ever did. Watched him on TV every time he was on...

[@Crowley9]

I want to see the Shakespeare clip by itself. It's a shame Varney got stuck with Ernest doing comedy, when it's obvious he had the capacity for so much more.

[@dacosta0656]

Crowley9 earnest is awesome

[@XMetalChefX]

Shaping the childhood of billions of people and becoming a ubiquitous icon of the decade in which he was prominent? Worse ways to go...

[@continentalrcinglg]

@@XMetalChefX Not to mention he won a Daytime Emmy for the role, back when the Daytime Emmys meant something.

[@musicuniverse1356]

PSMTCHEF Ernest Saves Christmas also showcased his other hilarious characters like Aunt Nelda, she nearly does a Shakespearean soliquoy in the movie lol.

[@tomservo5007]

that's why most talent see type casting as a negative. Remember that the next time you complain that your favorite band didn't play enough of their greatest hits at a concert.

[@rbc4989]

So sad he went so young. Love this guy

[@victorialadybug1]

All these years and I had no idea! I would have liked to have seen him as Hamlet.

[@stylinstu]

Our family loved him and his movies!

[@TheMrsmartass13]

This was uploaded five years ago, and now only show up in my recommended

[@TheNotoriousCheeto]

The fact that such a brilliant and versatile performer never got frustrated playing the same character just because he knew people loved it says a lot about the man.

[@damienholland8103]

Didn't realize he died at 50. So young.

[@Spintechfilms]

I miss Jim... he was amazing... still is...

[@theeye2661]

Rest In Paradise Ernest

[@jc-qc3yu]

Miss you pal ...you were definitely one of a kind .

[@mattdylla3225]

Ernest on the Shakespearean stage!? And he's GOOD!?!? How have I never known this!?