Jim Varney in ultra rare stand-up routine in the summer of 1992. This took place in Lexington, KY. It was for Lexington's Comic Relief at Griffin Gate.
I lived in Lexington and ran into him a few times after he became famous. He would frequent the bars at the Radisson and the Hyatt, which were popular at the time, when he was in town. He was always like he was everybody's friend and everybody was his friend. If you encountered him he would likely do a funny little impromptu skit for you. Couldn't believe it when I heard he had died. One of his movies, can't remember which, the characters are about to crack up half the time, probably because of things he was doing off-camera or between takes.
Funny stuff! Thanks for sharing this rare video. And to all the people saying it's "awful"... if he were in drag you'd probably be laughing, so please... use a little imagination and try to appreciate his pantomime and mannerisms!
That was a great movie, it was the last one for Iron eyes Cody and had some valuable messages within, like when Ernest saved the boy from drowning with the boat hook, and when the lawyer became one with nature.
I watched his commercials today, he should be alive today , if he had lung cancer, then I wish and still wish that that cigarettes were off the market completely. I miss him :(
Wow, when you listen to his voice you can tell how he was gone from lung cancer less than 10 years later. The man was in his early 40s and he had the voice of a 70something year old chain smoker. There was not a trace of youth left in that voice. He must've been an absolute chimney. Such a shame, especially over something so trivial as cigarettes. It took George Harrison, David Bowie and Jim Varney FAR too soon, just like chewing tobacco took baseball legend Tony Gwynn far too soon as well. Tobacco is an evil, evil plant. Don't smoke, kids. Just don't.
My hometown. Corbin, Kentucky City Limits Next exit, the Colonel Harlan Sanders KFC Museum Then a sign: This is where Col Harlan Sanders took a fit after the gravy wasn't cooked right and dumped the whole pot into the road. Then the billboard: These holes were where Col Harlan Sanders took a fit and a pistol and took out his frustration on said billboard. None of these signs true, but the stories definitely are.
This guy was a pure genius,,and its crazy how natural it came to him,,this guy was so good,,damn i miss REAL AUTHENTIC comedians ,,the ones that had to make it on strong personality!,and nowadays its all about looks and special effects, and because of crazy fuckin dumb kids and parents,they dont even put the same shit on TV that they used to in the 80's.We will probably never see guys like this again,,just pure talent.
That's my baby the man I'll always loved o dreamed of you last night fourteen years ago you left and this morning you were here just like you'd never go e come ba k or can I co.d there god may I go nos
OMG That is SO funny. especially the bobby pin part - b/c that's just how people look trying to "spread" those things - ugh i hate them lol Jim Varney's awesome. my mom also had lung cancer that spread to her brain :(
Bunny shows very briefly in Ernest Scared Stupid. She also shows up in the 1994 video "Your World As I See It" where his Astor Clement character hosts and introduces many of Jim's other familiar characters. She might have popped up in another movie but I can't remember right now. I know he had been doing Bunny since the early 80's when he was on POP GOES THE COUNTRY for a brief period and in other stand-up performances.
R.I.P. Jim Varney! You are inspiration to me as an actor/comedian myself! You are really a Legend! Check out my videos, everybody! I have a Jim Varney/Jim Carry style of humor!!
I saw him live at Nashville's Exit/Inn in the 2nd half of the 70's. I think it was after his stint as Sgt. Glory (Is that the name?) for Purity Dairy and before Ernest debuted. He was surprisingly edgy and intelligent, and did a great segment of Shakespearian parody. Quite a departure from his "Creature Cooler" bug juice ads. Anyone have any of those to upload? I couldn't find a single still image or reference to this character on the net.
I was really surprised when I first saw a picture of Jim Varney out of character. For some reason that cap Ernest always wore made me think Jim was bald...I never would have guessed he had a full head of wavy hair.
OMFG funny! The beginning was so-so but it really picked up halfway through. You rock stonegator; thanks for digging this up from wherever it was hiding ^.^
No he wasn't gay he was married twice and according to a book I read they both ended in divorce because he was gone a lot. He had that ear pierced in like the sixties before all that became a thing.
no2wavesarethesame He was married twice. Just because he can make that voice doesn't mean he was gay. That's like judging a book by its cover. Go read the book his nephew wrote about him.
Thanks for the upload! This is great!
Freakin Genius. Gone way too soon
MY entire childhood was based on this guy.. He was amazing.. :(
I miss Jim, one of a kind...
He was so cool,,..in fact I am sure he still is.cool like that...carries on with his soul.:):)
My mom called that a rat's nest in the hair, impossible to comb out, thy would resort in to cutting the hair 😂
Slinky
He reminds me of Lucille Ball.
I lived in Lexington and ran into him a few times after he became famous. He would frequent the bars at the Radisson and the Hyatt, which were popular at the time, when he was in town. He was always like he was everybody's friend and everybody was his friend. If you encountered him he would likely do a funny little impromptu skit for you. Couldn't believe it when I heard he had died. One of his movies, can't remember which, the characters are about to crack up half the time, probably because of things he was doing off-camera or between takes.
I just saw _Snowboard Academy_ (1997) and he was the best thing in it
Just the way he says "hair" with that accent is hilarious...
Know what I mean?
That suit is the most 90's thing I've seen in a looooong while
I think it's more late 80s with those shoulder pads and color
Funny stuff! Thanks for sharing this rare video. And to all the people saying it's "awful"... if he were in drag you'd probably be laughing, so please... use a little imagination and try to appreciate his pantomime and mannerisms!
Ernest goes to camp was one of first (if not the first) movie I ever saw at the theater.....he is missed.
Right on. I remember seeing it at the theater as well. Laughed my ass off.
That was a great movie, it was the last one for Iron eyes Cody and had some valuable messages within, like when Ernest saved the boy from drowning with the boat hook, and when the lawyer became one with nature.
jim Varney is awesome.
**was
Jim Varney was awesome. He's still awesome. I could watch a video of him making coffee and still get a kick out of it...lol.
I watched his commercials today, he should be alive today , if he had lung cancer, then I wish and still wish that that cigarettes were off the market completely. I miss him :(
GOD it's just not fair!
Wow, when you listen to his voice you can tell how he was gone from lung cancer less than 10 years later. The man was in his early 40s and he had the voice of a 70something year old chain smoker. There was not a trace of youth left in that voice. He must've been an absolute chimney. Such a shame, especially over something so trivial as cigarettes. It took George Harrison, David Bowie and Jim Varney FAR too soon, just like chewing tobacco took baseball legend Tony Gwynn far too soon as well. Tobacco is an evil, evil plant. Don't smoke, kids. Just don't.
"I roll huurr."
I used to really love this guy so many years ago and didn't even know he'd passed on. I love this, thanks! ^_^
No way!!! His home town is only an hour from me?!?!? Always loved this guy :)
His grave is at Lexington Cemetery; a beautiful place.
Handsome man!
great deep voice. Feels good to listen too.
Thanks stonegator. I saw the Bunny Jennette Rogers routine develop in Chattanooga in the early 70s.
I performed at this event with the Merry Muckers of Mirth improv troupe..you do not happen to have that recorded?
Loved Jim Varney very talented man......Hey Vern!!
Anyone else from Lexington, KY here?
My hometown.
Corbin, Kentucky City Limits
Next exit, the Colonel Harlan Sanders KFC Museum
Then a sign:
This is where Col Harlan Sanders took a fit after the gravy wasn't cooked right and dumped the whole pot into the road.
Then the billboard:
These holes were where Col Harlan Sanders took a fit and a pistol and took out his frustration on said billboard.
None of these signs true, but the stories definitely are.
Ghadaffi's got nothing on Varney! Jim was a gorgeous man IMO.
Sobernic1982 he was Freddie Mercury’s lover.
Wow he made a good mime too!
I sure miss that guy!
Jim looks a lot like Lee Van Cleef in this.
Funny funny man!
Jim Varney was so funny I love this video. Thank you for sharing
Is it just me, or does he kinda look like Ghadaffi??
He Was 1 Of The BEST Actors Around!
Especially As Ernest LOL
I
Amen to that! I've been watching "earnest scared stupid " every year since it came out. My kids (all 3 under 13) thoroughly enjoy his work.
I'm from nicholasville. Who all performed at this event
This guy was a pure genius,,and its crazy how natural it came to him,,this guy was so good,,damn i miss REAL AUTHENTIC comedians ,,the ones that had to make it on strong personality!,and nowadays its all about looks and special effects, and because of crazy fuckin dumb kids and parents,they dont even put the same shit on TV that they used to in the 80's.We will probably never see guys like this again,,just pure talent.
He was such a great actor and he was so funny. I loved all his movies!!!!!
Legend
i didnt know Jim wore an earring. haha, he was cool. look at the gold he wearing.
Cool video ,RIP Jim!!! My son and I love Ernest.
interesting . . . .
R. I. P Jim
why do the good always die so young? I moved near his hometown in TN and think about him when I see the name
Lol! Where did that funny picture at the end come from? I've never seen that!
what year was this video made
1992 check out the other videos on this channel. Great Mel Tillis story.
Actually, he looks pretty good as Bunny Jeanette
Sort of look like John Holmes with that mustache.
I grew up on him. Funny dude. Good tv show and his movies were great as well.
So great!
Yes i did. Thank you.
i’m sorry loretta
I'm sorry Loretta
I always loved Jim in the milk commercials. Thanks for sharing!
That's my baby the man I'll always loved o dreamed of you last night fourteen years ago you left and this morning you were here just like you'd never go e come ba k or can I co.d there god may I go nos
That suit is all class.
OMG That is SO funny. especially the bobby pin part - b/c that's just how people look trying to "spread" those things - ugh i hate them lol
Jim Varney's awesome. my mom also had lung cancer that spread to her brain
:(
Bunny shows very briefly in Ernest Scared Stupid. She also shows up in the 1994 video "Your World As I See It" where his Astor Clement character hosts and introduces many of Jim's other familiar characters. She might have popped up in another movie but I can't remember right now. I know he had been doing Bunny since the early 80's when he was on POP GOES THE COUNTRY for a brief period and in other stand-up performances.
@bigpanfishplus yeah they probably didn't get most of the jokes. This act wasnt' THAT funny though..
R.I.P. Jim Varney! You are inspiration to me as an actor/comedian myself! You are really a Legend!
Check out my videos, everybody! I have a Jim Varney/Jim Carry style of humor!!
He really that comment as a compliment. By the way, there is another clip of this stand-up that I just posted. Hope you enjoy.
I'm a roll hur... 😂😂😂
He died in 2000
I love Jim Varney and his Ernest character, but his stand-up was a little weird for me. But I do have to say thanks for posting this rare video.
I saw him live at Nashville's Exit/Inn in the 2nd half of the 70's. I think it was after his stint as Sgt. Glory (Is that the name?) for Purity Dairy and before Ernest debuted. He was surprisingly edgy and intelligent, and did a great segment of Shakespearian parody. Quite a departure from his "Creature Cooler" bug juice ads.
Anyone have any of those to upload? I couldn't find a single still image or reference to this character on the net.
I was really surprised when I first saw a picture of Jim Varney out of character. For some reason that cap Ernest always wore made me think Jim was bald...I never would have guessed he had a full head of wavy hair.
The intro was weak but the actual bit was pretty good. I would have loved to see him do some serious acting.
It’s a shame he was typecast as Ernest.
OMFG funny! The beginning was so-so but it really picked up halfway through.
You rock stonegator; thanks for digging this up from wherever it was hiding ^.^
he was great.. doesn't seem like it's been 9 years since he died
Lovin ur short clips!!! RIP Jim
Please make this available for playback on iPhone. I need my Varney fixes on the go! XD
Ernest we miss u buddy wish u were still with us making another Ernest film lol
I know, right?!? :) "I brought my Loretta, she's gon' hep me!"
@GenXer68 I think it was in Ernest Rides Again.
I hear this type of comment quite a bit.
It's not like he dresses like Ernest all the time.
woww 1992 old school comdey!
His stand up is awsome!! Thanks for posting!
Where in Lexington was this filmed?
OMG
He looks like my dad in this vid
The Marriott.
@stonegator Awesome! Thank you :D
@writertrump amen to that!
1:25-1:27. Channeling Clint Eastwood.
@milquest done.
pullin down that knot i was cringing lol
this is way more relaxed than that awful movie character he had to play.
I love Jim Varney but that was bad stand-up.
wtf is he doing dressed like that
This certain stand up was not funny at all though
just a few things, never seen it until now.
Well I never had anything against the guy, in fact I liked his movies and character but I just never found him quite funny.
BAHAHAHAHAHA!
did he pass away or something?
Sadly yes :( in 2000 from lung cancer.
This is God awful.
***** Are you talking about me or Jim?
littleteethkeith put it together, einstein.
was he gay? right ear pierced only... that was a big 80s and 90s way of letting people know you were gay..... I loved his warming comedy!
No he wasn't gay he was married twice and according to a book I read they both ended in divorce because he was gone a lot. He had that ear pierced in like the sixties before all that became a thing.
i see. yeah that wasnt a thing in the sixties. i heard he did a lot of coke, idk
Don't think he was, nothing wrong with it really. I personally like one ear pieced in guys. He did great comedy yeah.
his ear ring is in the wrong ear...and he has a lot of "bling"
funnier as Ernest
Man....i love Jim Varney R.I.P ,always have but this just sucks. Not funny
dude was gay !!! no wonder he was so original !
no2wavesarethesame He was married twice. Just because he can make that voice doesn't mean he was gay. That's like judging a book by its cover. Go read the book his nephew wrote about him.