Oct 12 11
Things I Bet You Didn’t Know About Jim Varney
Although the great character actor Jim Varney died in the year 2000, he has not been forgotten. His legacy will continue for years to come, due to his broad range of acting abilities and of course, the beloved character of Earnest P. Worrell, for which he is probably best known.
But, did you know that Jim Varney was also very active in the Make-a-Wish foundation? The Make-a-Wish Foundation grants wishes to dying children, and meeting or talking to Earnest was a wish that hundreds of these children requested. Jim Varney, in the character of Earnest, didn’t let them down. In past interviews, he had mentioned how much he learned from these children who were facing death but still lived their lives to the fullest, while they still could.
Also, did you know that he had to take a screen test(his first ever) to get the role of Jed Clampett? They were afraid he couldn’t pull it off–that he wasn’t versatile enough, because of his Earnest character. But he proved he was…and got the part.
Lastly, many don’t realize that Jim Varney was a frugal man. He once stated that he could spend all day at a garage sale…and how “Earnest” is that?