Special Tribute By Billy Dee
Although I never knew Jim Varney personally, I loved his movies. But more then that, I appreciated his type of decent and moral films. I have never seen a man that was so funny. I was raised with Sid Ceaser, Uncle Milty, Jerry Lewis and many more famous comedians of the past. These talented comedians were what we called "slap stick". That is something that is missing today in todays funny movies. But Jim Varney brought it back in his Ernest P. Worrell movies.
Jim had a thousand faces that could make anyone laugh themselves easily into tears. A young man who wrote me, described Jim as what he called him, "rubber face". That is really funny! But Jim (Ernest) really did have what appeared to be a rubber face to do the contortions he put his face through to get a laugh! Ha! Ha!
Billy Dee
But beyond the talented side of Jim Varney on the silver screen that many of us have come to love and enjoy, is another side to the man. There is a personal side to Jim Varney that makes him stand out above many other people. Jim loved children. He didn't have any of his own, and according to one of Jim's close friends, Myra Robbins, Jim's heart cried out for the love of being around children, and making them laugh.
Often times when we see our favorite actors on TV, we really don't give much thought to what they are really like in real life. Jim Varney from what has been lovingly shared with me from some of his friends, was a man who would do anything to be helpful to those that truly wanted help. Few knew that Jim really went through a hard time financially getting into show biz. According to one of his close friends, she told me that Jim was for a time, a starving actor. But Jim diligently sought after the trade and finally accomplished what he set out to do.
I am just over joyed by the outpouring of reply's through e-mail, the guest book we have, newspaper article's, etc. All the mail, and newspaper article's have one thing in common. They all radiate a strong love and affection for Jim. And Jim is admired for being such a decent and moral actor, and well appreciated for it. His movies were free of smut, profanity, sexual situations and and anything that would offend children and families alike. This says a lot about the man.
There are so few decent programs on TV and at the show house today. And there is only a very small percentage of programs on TV and movies, that is safe for our young people, as well as for family entertainment. It is a great loss to lose any actors that have portrayed decent and moral films and shows like Jim.
Jim had yet even another side to him, which I should mention. Jim had a bit a wild side to him, (without going into any details) and as I have been told, he often liked the fast lane of life. When Jim was in his late teens, according to Myra, he had given his heart to the Lord, after either attending some sort of special church service or Christian meeting. This was well before Jim had found success in show business. But Jim was like many people, who at times in their lives went through periods of rebellion and probably doing things that they or anyone else shouldn't be doing. But let me emphasize this. Many Christians go through periods in their lives that is contrary to God and His word. that doesn't mean they have strayed too far from God's voice and God leading them. Perhaps those times of straying from God, like Jim did, especially for the Christian can appear that they are either fallen in their faith, or they have turned thier backs on God. Jim, I feel had never really turned his back on God during those reckless and wild times in his life. And I say that, because the proof of Jim's faith in God especially in the last few years of his life broke fourth in a stronger meaning to him, as well as a stronger walk with God and his saviour Jesus Christ. The very most important thing for any Christian that has had times of back sliding, is to return to Jesus and their faith. God truly blessed Jim for doing just that, returning to Jesus and that cannot be argued by anyone.
I think, few also knew about Jim's strong Christian faith. He had a very strong faith, and believed in God and loved God. He had what many Christians call, a "salvation" experience, or being "born again". Jim truly found the peace of God, and according to Myra Robbins, he not only showed his love of Jesus, but his strong and patient will radiated his strong faith.
Jim Varney, will be sorely missed! But rather then making a Tribute to Jim's memory, Myra and I, are trying to build more interest in Jim Varney's movies and talent. There are many adults and children alike that we are sure have not seen any of "Ernest P. Worrell's" movies. We are also trying to create an excitement from this special web site, to get new viewers motivated to see the Ernest movies, and see what they have been missing. We are also trying to show as much a we can of what Jim was all about, and the wonderful inspiration that he was, and will still go on to be. A lot can be learned from Jim Varney. I for one, have been inspired by Jim, when I was searching for some new ideas to create some new characters for some comedy skits I did on TV. I just loved Jim's female character rolls. They were so funny! So, although Jim inspired me to try this out on set, and in front of the viewers, I created my own characters. My viewers just went crazy over it, and I often was asked to do keep doing my comedy shows.
I personally feel that creating Jim Varney's web site, is a privilege. The very same day that I was informed that Jim Varney had passed away, I was so moved in my heart. I could not explain the feeling. What kept going through me, was that Jim wanted a site on the web, so he would be remembered. This just kept going through me all that same day I had first heard of Jims death. Then, I was searching the Internet for anything I could find on Jim Varney. Well, all I found was just a few article's about his death. They were very nice, but nothing really that explained or gave the essence of what Jim really wanted to say and show. I stumbled across a Varney mail discussion list, and read some of the messages, and especially one particular message that caught my eye and heart, was sent in by a person by the name of Myra Robbins. I was so moved by her message, and that she had known Jim Varney for 30 years. I wrote her immediately, and shared with her what was impressed upon my heart about creating a web site for Varney. I was just over joyed when Myra wrote back and expressed to me, that Jim was afraid that people would forget about him after he had passed away. I guess I believe in miracles. I never met the man in my life, and God showed me that Jim Varney had been praying that he would not be forgotten. Although, I am sure that he won't. But the Internet is now one of those means that can help keep Jims memory and movies alive.
I will try to do the very best that I can. And as Jim was a Christian, as well as I am, I feel that I have an obligation for a brother in the Lord of mine. I hope I can give Jim what he really wanted on His site. But more then just presenting his movies, but to present the life of Jim Varney, is what I know that Jim wanted. No! I will not forget Jim Varney! Jim was a good example for show biz, as well as for the general public in how popular movies can be, without smut, profanity and violence and anything else that is indecent.
So rather then just this special site being a tribute to a well known and loved actor that passed away, lets keep Jims movies alive, and also hope that other actors will try to follow in Jims footsteps both in making decent movies, having faith in God, and giving many of the troubled family's in America, clean, moral movies, and movies that with a strong family message!
And lastly, Jim was trying very hard in the last few years he had left, to warn children and adults alike to not smoke, as well as to give it up. Jim did some special presentations on that, I was told. Jim Varney was a heavy smoker, and had gotten lung cancer. Although the Lung cancer was done away with by his doctors and treatment, the cancer had spread to his brain. Jim firmly believed it was all caused by smoking. So if this is indeed what took Jims life, then it is more of tragedy. For Jim Varney was only 50, and he had many years ahead of him in the movies and acting, and well as in his personal life. Kids, if your reading this letter, and you loved Ernest P. Worrell, then take to heart what killed Jim Varney, and don't smoke!
God bless you Jim Varney. I know that your with Jesus now. And I know your out of your pain that you so suffered with in your body from cancer. Jim, rest in peace that you well deserve.
Billy Dee
Would you like to know what Jim Varney found?
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