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“Hey Vern, check out my Nephew Justin is on Relatively Famous podcast”… The character of Ernest with his trademark “Hey Vern”, portrayed by actor Jim Varney was a national advertising phenomenon and loved comedy movie star. His films Ernest goes to camp and Ernest saves Christmas are still great family friendly movies in a world of violent action films.
Justin Lloyd, is Jim’s nephew and remembers growing up with this really cool uncle who just happen to be famous. It was the 80s and Jim would pick up Justin in his Deloren for drives around town. Like what could have been a scene in the movie Back to the Future they would pull up to the gas station blaring classical music, open the two gullwing doors and Jim would exit the Deloren as if he were Doc Brown.
Now there is a resurgence of “Ernest” commercials popping up and a renewed interest in Justin’s book “The Importance of Being Ernest: The Life of Actor Jim Varney”. There’s talks of a documentary and maybe even a bio pic.
Justin has great respect and love for his Uncle Jim and enjoys talking about his life with him, his memories of Jim and possible new ventures highlighting Jim’s life and career. Funny thing is after we recorded our episode Justin found a New York Daily News article by Liz Smith from 1987 reporting that Jim had asked Vanna to be in his next film. I had a great time talking with Justin and hope you’ll get a kick out this episode. Share the joy of Ernest with Justin and go buy his book.
https://www.facebook.com/beingernestbook
https://a.co/d/1E0Gsfy
