Jim Varney was brilliant & gone much too soon. I just found this article & learned something new about him. Apparently Ernest was created by Jim & a pair of marketing gurus as a mascot-for-hire. Rather than most product mascots, Ernest was not created for a particular brand, but was intended to be used for whatever product would think to hire him: https://www.mandatory.com/fun/623055-the-series-project-ernest-part-1
Yep, there's a DVD collection of all the commercials the Ernest character did. Some of them are for local vendors you've never heard of and others are for bigger names. It's totally eclectic!
I bought a DVD a few years back that is just Ernest commercials. Lots of Braum's and some other local vendors. Fun stuff! I would definitely recommend it if you're a fan. =)
All I knew about the person next to Robin Williams was that he was the actor who played Ernest in a bunch of movies (which I don't think I've seen). So I looked him up, and his name was Jim Varney, he died in 2000 and he was the original voice of the Slinky Dog in Toy Story 1 and 2. He also voiced Cookie Farnsworth in Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
Death83
Literally the only two people who could equally match each other's legendary energy.
Bojovnik84
QueefMalone
BrigidtheMechLady
Two men of incredible talent taken too early.
CheeseborgarSoop
I miss them both.
tinydog
lsama
I can still hear the noise he makes in my head when I watch this.
NegimaSensei
I have never seen this before, nor have I ever pictured the two of them together in a room. That was gold.
Chort26
Elnauriel
Wait a minute... that's not Ernest! That's Nash! =O
SeldonCrysis
I bet if you added John Winters and Dom DeLuise in the mix this would have been epic
mragonzales
Elnauriel
Sadly, to quote Van Halen; Can't get this stuff no more. =(
RouverX
He could definitely give the ladies the vapors
MxMenagerie
Handsome AND a big goofball is always a winning combo
Hashbrown123
RouverX
Jim Varney was brilliant & gone much too soon. I just found this article & learned something new about him. Apparently Ernest was created by Jim & a pair of marketing gurus as a mascot-for-hire. Rather than most product mascots, Ernest was not created for a particular brand, but was intended to be used for whatever product would think to hire him: https://www.mandatory.com/fun/623055-the-series-project-ernest-part-1
Elnauriel
Yep, there's a DVD collection of all the commercials the Ernest character did. Some of them are for local vendors you've never heard of and others are for bigger names. It's totally eclectic!
JustEatingBagelBites
Ernest gotta be ripped
iputthefiresout
Hey, look, it's 90% of my childhood
Gooooodmoooorrrningmuchwow
Hey mine too. Just throw in a little Ray Stevens and almost 100%
richicano
This is the first time I’ve seen someone go toe to toe with robin williams. Amazing.
jacblake
DrMarioSThompson
Check out his clips with Johnathan Winters, who was Robin's inspiration. Every bit as off the wall and at least equally talented at improv
gtotherizzle
This is the most wonderful thing I didn't know I needed to see. 2 giants of comedy!
TeeweeAndSmashboy
Did they do something together?
DexterDouglas
Touched our hearts.
TeeweeAndSmashboy
Was hoping for a movie title…
OppaGangnamPyle
No I imagine they were at a comedy festival..either Just For Laughs in Montreal or Comic Relief
thegarts
I remember when he did Braum’s commercials.
Elnauriel
I bought a DVD a few years back that is just Ernest commercials. Lots of Braum's and some other local vendors. Fun stuff! I would definitely recommend it if you're a fan. =)
DrMarioSThompson
Knowwhatimean, Vern?
OldmanSerious
All I knew about the person next to Robin Williams was that he was the actor who played Ernest in a bunch of movies (which I don't think I've seen). So I looked him up, and his name was Jim Varney, he died in 2000 and he was the original voice of the Slinky Dog in Toy Story 1 and 2. He also voiced Cookie Farnsworth in Atlantis: The Lost Empire.
PoorBoyChevelle
Also did a bang-up job of Shakespeare, and a prolific number of local ads featuring the catchphrase, "Know what I mean Vern?"
OldSchoolNewRules
They can smell fear just by lookin atcha, so keep quiet!
Chimponzoo
And like Robin, one of the most intelligent people to have lived. He was a great guy.
kainreborn
I wasn't sure who the person sitting next to Jim Varney was, so I appreciate this comment.
smegheadenergy
The Ernest movies are a fun watch
DaCowboy
Earnest Saves Christmas and Goes to Jail are the two best ones. He also had a Saturday morning show.
smegheadenergy
Ernest scared stupid was also enjoyable
Elnauriel
And a TON of commercials, which is originally what the Ernest character was created for. =)
justplainvanilla
xxxxxxzzzz
Troll hug
Shonamac
Who is this dude? He looks like the personification of the trapper in the rescuers down under
AuntieCoddswaddle
Is.... Is it wrong I wanna be in this sandwich? I bet they'd be so nice and attentive.
keystotheairlock
get it aunt codds
NivalisAngelus
You know what a BLT sandwich is? Well that there is a BFF sandwich.