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Actor Gailard Sartain, known for his role on the classic TV series Hee Haw, has passed away.

According to an announcement made by The Church Studio in Tulsa, Oklahama, where his wife sometimes volunteers, Sartain died on Tuesday, June 17, following a long illness. He was 78 years old.

"We are saddened by the loss of Gailard Sartain, an extraordinary actor, artist, and comedian," a Facebook post reads. "His late night visits in the 1970s to the studio after filming Mazeppa are fondly remembered. Gailard's artwork is showcased on the cover of Leon Russell's 1975 album 'Will O’ the Wisp.' Our condolences are with Mary Jo, Gailard's wife and a committed volunteer at The Church Studio."

Hee Haw's Misty Rowe also wrote in a reaction post about the news, "God Bless You Gailard Sartain. You were my brother on Hee Haw Honeys and my friend on Hee Haw for 19 years!

Gailard Sartain, the character actor best known for his role in “The Buddy Holly Story” and his work on variety shows like “Hee Haw,” died Tuesday, June 17, at the age of 78.

Sartain’s death was announced on Facebook by The Church Studio, a Tulsa-based recording studio where the actor and comedian’s wife, Mary Jo, is a frequent volunteer. He is survived by Mary Jo.

A Tulsa native, Sartain was born on Sept. 18, 1946. He began his entertainment career in Tulsa, working first as a cameraman at the local television station where he eventually garnered his first bit of fame for creating and starring in “The Uncanny Film Festival and Camp Meeting,” a late-night comedy show he hosted as the fictional wizard Dr. Mazeppa Pompazoidi. Working with fellow Tulsa natives, including Gary Busey, Sartain wrote and performed special skits in between the show’s broadcasts of old B-movies.

It was his work as Dr.

Many people use the phrase “right in the childhood” as an overarching explanation for aspects of their upbringing that get tarnished by one thing or another. However, the words rarely carry weight as they describe something innocuous or unserious. Today, I use those words with the utmost sincerity as we learn that Gailard Sartain, known to many as Jake or Chuck from Jim Varney‘s Ernest movies, has passed away at 78.

The Church Studio, a recording studio in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Sartain’s wife, Mary Jo, volunteers, announced Sartain’s passing via Facebook.

Sartain plays multiple characters in Ernest’s films, such as Jake or Chuck in Ernest Goes to Camp, Ernest Saves Christmas, Ernest Goes to Jail, and the television series Hey, Vern, It’s Ernest! In Ernest’s films, Sartain often pairs with Eddie or Bobby for kooky or gross-out shenanigans and sight gags. Whether feeding Ernest his...

Gailard Sartain, the very funny character actor who spent some 20 years on Hee Haw, appeared in three Ernest films with Jim Varney and displayed a flair for the dramatic in The Buddy Holly Story and Mississippi Burning, has died. He was 81.

Sartain died Thursday of natural causes at his home in his native Tulsa, Oklahoma, his wife of 36 years, Mary Jo Sartain, told The Hollywood Reporter. “Actually, he died of silliness,” she said.

Sartain showed up in nine features directed by Alan Rudolph: Roadie (1980), Endangered Species (1982), Choose Me (1984), Songwriter (1984), Trouble in Mind (1985), Made in Heaven (1987), The Moderns (1988), Love at Large (1990) and Equinox (1992).

He appeared for Carl Reiner in The Jerk (1979) and All of Me (1984), for Francis Ford Coppola in The Outsiders (1983), for Stephen Frears in The Grifters (1990), for Jon Avnet in Fried Green Tomatoes (1991) and for Michael Mann in Ali (2001).

In 1972, Sartain joined the cast of the syndicated country variety show Hee Haw,...

With four (soon to be five) films in Pixar's beloved "Toy Story" franchise, generations of audiences have been introduced to some of the most lovable characters in animated history. In particular, the core group of Andy's toys remains a staple in the entire catalog of not just Pixar Animation Studios but also Disney as a whole. Obviously, there is the inseparable (at least until "Toy Story 4") duo of Woody (Tom Hanks) and Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), but how can we forget their friends Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney/Blake Clark), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), and Bo Peep (Annie Potts)? The original gang of Andy's toys was first introduced to us in 1995, but once "Toy Story 2" hit theaters in 1999, we were introduced to a few new core members of the series, including Mrs. Potato Head (Estelle Harris), Jessie (Joan Cusack), and Bullseye.

Getting a perfect 100% Rt score is not a small feat. Like, honestly, critics can be brutal, picky, or even allergic to fun sometimes. But when a movie manages to win all of them over, and we mean all of them, it’s already walking on rare air. Now, imagine mixing that fabulous critic score with a fat box office total, you’ve got a straight-up anomaly.

Sure, oftentimes movies either impress the masses or the critics, not both. But few movies managed to pull off this double act like it’s no big deal. Such movies are those that made zero enemies and all the money. They didn’t just crush reviews, they filled the theatre seats, broke records, and had people talking long after the credits rolled.

These cinematic unicorns proved that they can be both critically flawless and financially fabulous. So, if you think critical darlings can’t break the bank,...

Pixar has found a legendary actor to step into the shoes of the late, great Carl Weathers in Toy Story 5. 2025 sees Pixar release the original film Elio, but next year, one of their most significant franchises returns with Toy Story 5, set for release in June 2026. One actor who sadly won't be returning to the franchise is Carl Weathers, who passed away on Feb. 2, 2024. Weathers previously voiced the character of Combat Carl, a G.I. Joe-type toy that has become a fun new addition to the franchise.

Deadline reports that Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson will step into the role of Combat Carl for Toy Story 5, taking over for the late great Carl Weathers. Weathers' character debuted in the 2013 Halloween special, Toy Story of Terror, and the actor reprised his role in 2019's Toy Story 4. Hudson is best known for playing Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters films. Hudson's...

Image Source: Amazon Of the two basketball-themed movies that were released in the spring of 1995 — The Basketball Diaries and Slam Dunk Ernest — it’s safe to say that only one of them still has an active audience today. Know what I mean, Vern? Yes, while Jim Varney’s effort wound up going straight to video, The Basketball Diaries, while not a huge box-office hit when it was released 30 years ago has become a cult classic over the years. The film’s star, Leonardo DiCaprio, has earned plenty of praise for his performance as drug-addicted teen basketball player Jim Carroll. When the film was released, DiCaprio told us that the role was demanding and emotional, but also one of the best experiences he’d had making movies up to that point. (Click on the media bar to hear Leonardo DiCaprio.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Leonardo_DiCaprio_The_Baketball_Diairies...

Shifting Gears star Tim Allen has shared a delightful exchange between him and his Toy Story co-star, Tom Hanks, on social media. Allen and Hanks first teamed up 30 years ago for Toy Story (1995), the animated adventure film that was not only nominated for three Oscars, but also grossed over $390 million at the global box office against a $30 million budget. The two have since worked together on every Toy Story movie, even as recently as Toy Story 4 in 2019, which grossed over $1 billion at the worldwide box office. Allen posted two photos on his personal X account, one Hanks sent him of him standing behind the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz, and another that he replied to his co-star, recreating his picture.

While their roles in the Toy Story franchise remain some of the most important in both of their careers, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks have both gone on to accomplish great things as actors.

Love is always in the air on soap operas, especially around Valentine’s Day. Last year’s romantic holiday was eventful on Days of Our Lives. Steve and Kayla took a walk down memory lane while Theresa hoped Alex would propose to her, and John and Marlena had a fun picnic celebration. While Salem couples prepare to celebrate this year, several Days actors were asked about their real-life loves.

From Will Smith to Donny Osmond

On TikTok, the official Days page posted a video captioned, “Who was your childhood crush?...

Bill Byrge, a mainstay of the Ernest movies who played the lovably quirky and virtually mute character of Bobby, has died. He was 86.

As Bobby, Bill Byrge was most memorable alongside Gailard Sartain’s Chuck, who put himself in the position of leader of the duo even though both were hilariously inept. Byrge really got his start with Sartain in ads, working for the Nashville-based company who was also producing the Ernest P. Worrell series of commercials.

With that, Bill Byrge got his first onscreen credit in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam. But it would be Ernest Saves Christmas that he and Sartain broke out as the oddball brothers Bobby and Chuck, who have the duty of interpreting packages that contain helper elves (or is it elmes?). Outside of the short-lived series Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!, their other most notable pairing together was in Ernest Goes to Jail...

Character actor Bill Byrge, best known for appearing alongside Jim Varney in the Ernest films, has passed away.

According Byrge's cousin, Sharon Chapman (via Facebook), Byrge died on Thursday, Jan. 9. No additional details about his passing, such as his cause of death, were revealed, though Chapman noted that he died in the Nashville area. There are conflicting reports about his age, with some outlets reporting him to have been 86, while others reported 92.

Chapman's Facebook post added, "He was a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying. He was the 'Bobby' character in several Ernest movies with Jim Varney. I always teased him of being a 'star' in our family. He deserved it as raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect, and faith which he showed to everyone. Heaven gained a sweet soul today. Love you, Billy. See you soon!"

My cousin, Bill Byrge, passed away in...

Bill Byrge, who showed up as the quiet but feisty Bobby on a kids TV show and in four of the goofy Ernest comedies that starred Jim Varney, has died. He was 86.

Byrge died Thursday in the Nashville area, according to a Facebook post from his friend John Ward, host of the web series The Appalachian Channel.

The rubber-faced Varney made his debut as Ernest P. Worrell, a dim-witted Southerner with an unseen neighbor named Vern, in local commercials for a Nashville advertising agency starting in 1980.

Byrge appeared as a gas station attendant when Varney portrayed Ernest and other characters in the horror spoof Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985), and on the 1988 Saturday morning CBS kids show Hey, Vern, It’s Ernest!, he was Bobby alongside Gailard Sartain as Chuck in a brother shtick.

Byrge returned with Sartain as airport workers in Ernest Saves Christmas (1988) and as...

Bill Byrge, an actor who appeared in many of the “Ernest” comedy films as “Bobby,” died on Thursday at the age of 92 in Nashville, Tenn.

Byrge’s cousin, Sharon Chapman, confirmed his death in a Facebook post.

“My cousin, Bill Byrge, passed away in the Nashville area today at 12pm. He was a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying. He was the ‘Bobby’ character in several Ernest movies with Jim Varney. I always teased him of being a ‘star’ in our family. He deserved it as raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect, and faith which he showed to everyone,” Chapman wrote.

“Heaven gained a sweet soul today. Love you, Billy. See you soon!” Chapman added.

Byrge was born in Tennessee in 1932. He started out working at the Metro Nashville Public Library prior to pursuing a film career. In 1985, he portrayed a gas station attendant...

Bill Byrge, a comedian and actor known for his appearances alongside Jim Varney in various “Ernest” projects, has died at the age of 92. Byrge’s cousin Sharon Chapman confirmed the news on Facebook.

“He was a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying. He was the ‘Bobby’ character in several ‘Ernest’ movies with Jim Varney. I always teased him of being a ‘star’ in our family,” she shared on Thursday. “He deserved it as raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect and faith, which he showed to everyone. Heaven gained a sweet soul today.”

Byrge was born in Campbell County, Tennessee, in 1932. He first appeared in “Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam,” the very first “Ernest” movie, starring Varney and directed by their longtime collaborator John Cherry. Byrge appeared as a gas station attendant.

In 1986, he starred in a series of commercials with...

Bill Byrge, the librarian-turned-actor who was a regular in the Ernest movies, died January 9 in Nashville. He was 92.

News of his death was confirmed by his cousin Sharon Chapman on Facebook.

“My cousin, Bill Byrge, passed away,” she wrote. “He was a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying. He was the ‘Bobby’ character in several Ernest movies with Jim Varney. I always teased him of being a ‘star’ in our family. He deserved it as raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect, and faith which he showed to everyone.”

The Tennessee-born actor worked for the Metro Nashville Public Library but left it in the mid-1990s to focus full time on acting.

Deadline Related Video:

His first role opposite Varney was on 1985’s Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam. He played a gas station attendant. He went on to recur as the...

The Toy Story saga isn't over yet as Toy Story 5 is on its way, and while much is unknown about the upcoming movie's story, a tease from one of its actors suggests Buzz is stepping into the spotlight. Pixar's multi-billion-dollar franchise kicked off in 1995 with the premiere of Toy Story, the animation studio's first feature film. Since then, Pixar has released five movies in the franchise, including three sequels and one spin-off. Since Toy Story is so popular (and brings in a lot of revenue), the studio is developing a fourth sequel featuring the return of Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Toy Story 5, starring Tom Hanks as Woody and Tim Allen as Buzz Lightyear, is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 19, 2026.

Pixar announced Toy Story 5 was in production in early 2023, with Andrew Stanton directing and writing the next sequel. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen are...

Although most of today's viewing audiences weren't watching 1960s television live, it speaks to the quality and relatability of shows from that decade that many of its shows are cemented in popular culture. If they're not being rerun on cable or made available on several different streaming apps, they're being transformed for modern viewers with feature-length homages, for better or worse.

From spy dramas and family sitcoms to science fiction adventures and dark gothic soap operas, the 1960s had a little something for everyone. When we look back on the decade's television, we see a rapidly changing landscape, one where shows nostalgic for a simper time screen opposite imaginative, forward-thinking programs. Although many 1960s shows feel very much of their time, there's a stylish charm that makes them still enjoyable to watch today.

Here are some of the best TV shows that the 1960s has to offer -- take a...

Toy Story is a beloved franchise that continues to captivate the hearts of fans of all ages. While fans will have to wait until next year for the next installment in the film series, a new product related to the series is set to be a game-changer. While the films aim to suspend disbelief, one of the most beloved characters from the franchise is coming to life in a massive way. Luckily for fans of Toy Story, the new one-of-a-kind product comes just in time for the upcoming holiday season.

The new collectible, sold by Robosen Robotics, brings the iconic Buzz Lightyear to life in a way unlike anything else on the market. The groundbreaking technology has already been responsible for the creation of genuine versions of Transformers characters, Optimus Prime, Megatron, and Grimlock. This foray into the world of Disney & Pixar is a first for the company, but by...

A new AI-generated concept trailer has imagined what some famous faces would look like in a live-action remake of Toy Story. The subject of live-action remakes of animated movies is constantly throwing up the next piece of childhood memory to be turned on its head and possibly ruined forever. In the last decade, Disney has been dominating this particular branch of cash-grabbing, by raiding its vaults to turn some of its most iconic animated movies into new live-action versions that are meant to both address issues with inclusion and political correctness of the past and revitalize older franchises with the use of modern technology.

Now, thanks to one of the many AI-wizards of the internet, Multiverse of Movies, everyone can see what a live action version of Toy Story could look like if Chris Pratt took on the role of cowboy sheriff Woody and, in what is actually a genius piece of meta casting,...

Although a lot of mainstream animation can start to feel samey after a while, there are some movies which dare to be different. Animation offers filmmakers unlimited possibilities to explore. Given the potential of the medium, it's a shame to see so many big-budget animated movies which stick to the same playbook. However, some outstanding movies have broken the mold and influenced the entire industry.

The history of animation is marked by a few trendsetters which have helped advance the medium. For example, Toy Story ushered in the age of computer animation. Often, the most interesting animated movies aren't the ones which come from big, established studios. Independent animation has been a reliable source of creativity over the years, with many groundbreaking experimental movies which question the orthodoxy of animation.

Related 10 Great Animated Movies That Prove 2D Isn't Dead

3D has taken over the animation industry, but movies including Suzume,...

This article contains spoilers for the "Toy Story" movies.

When John Lasseter's "Toy Story" was released in 1995, it was a coup for the industry. CGI had been used in films for a decade and there were myriad computer-animated short films, but the first theatrically released, fully-computer-animated feature changed the landscape. It certainly helped that "Toy Story" was a massive success, raking in over $365 million on a mere $30 million budget. The film was also highly acclaimed, sporting a novel concept (your toys are alive when you aren't looking), an excellent screenplay, and a first-rate cast.

After "Toy Story," it felt like the floodgates opened, and a shift from traditionally animated features to fully computer-animated features occurred within the next five years. One might even recall when Disney announced that it would be shuttering its traditional animation studio and only make computer-animated features going forward. This was slightly before its 2004 film "Home on the Range" flopped.

The 1990s were a great decade for animated movies, with some of the most memorable animated villains of all time. The 1990s saw the Disney renaissance, with movies like Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King producing great villains to rival the studio's old classics. Pixar produced their first feature-length animated movies in the 1990s too, and Studio Ghibli added some more classics to their impressive filmography.

Like any live-action villain, a good animated villain needs to be designed to push the protagonists in interesting ways. They often represent the dark side of the heroes or a larger evil they are trying to vanquish. However, the medium of animation means that these villains are unique. Their physical characteristics and movement can be exaggerated to create more intimidating characters, and the performance of the voice actors is also vital in making a great villain.

Related 10 Best Animated Movie Villains...

Ernest P. Worrell has saved Christmas, scared stupid and gone to camp. And now he is heading to the world of graphic novels. Worrell – famously played by Jim Varney – will ride again as the star of his own book titled Ernest & the Dream Stone, provided there is enough crowdfunded backing.

From September 17th – October 17th, Kickstarter will host the campaign for the graphic novel, which has been “created in direct collaboration with the owners of the franchise and with the heartfelt support of Jim Varney’s nephew and biographer, Justin Lloyd.” The work clocks in at an impressive 150+ pages.

In a promo video for the graphic novel – which offers tons of easter eggs for fans – writer Corey Perkins stated, “We are so excited to announce that for the first time in over 25 years, Ernest P. Worrell is back for his first adventure, in comic book form…We worked on this...

The brouhaha over the use of AI has been raging for quite a while, and now Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has chimed in, saying that he doesnt believe audiences care about whether a piece of media is AI-generated or not, as long as it tells a good story. The use of AI in movies has come under a lot of fire from both those working in the industry and eagle-eyed fans, who have noticed that AI has been used to not only restore old franchises like Jaws, but enhance recent films like Late Night With the Devil and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

Speaking on a Netflix quarterly earnings call (via Deadline), Sarandos touched on the use of AI, saying that he believes it's going to become just another tool in a filmmakers arsenal to help them in the creative process.

"I think that AI is going to generate a great set of creative tools,...

Disney movies have always been known for their heartwarming stories and memorable quotes about love, friendship, and selflessness. Even Disney's love stories often have tales of friendship within them. Some of Disney's best quotes about friendship are from the songs in their musicals.

Over the years, Disney movies have focused on love stories, the bonds between family members and friendships, and some of the most memorable Disney friendship quotes that put these relationships in new perspectives. While Disney movies are known for offering imaginative and exciting animated adventures that are fun for all ages, the best Disney movies also provide impactful messages that stay with the viewers, young and old. When it comes to exploring friendships, Disney has shown that platonic companionship comes in all shapes and sizes.

Some of the standout Disney movies that explore friendship do so by examining the relatable aspects of these relationships in a new and endearing way.

Super Bowl commercials are, by and large, hilarious, with most using humor to plug their products and services. Many of them have become iconic, like Snickers' Betty White commercial, or the Old Spice Guy, aka Isaiah Mustafa. But there's a reason why commercials run a minute or less. Running with a joke for 30 seconds, or even across multiple commercials in 30 second spots ("Whassup?" ring a bell?), is much easier to do than to expand that joke across a 22 minute per week sitcom. Some have managed a degree of success, like Jim Varney's Ernest character, who fronted a children's Saturday morning show and transitioned to the big screen, or arguably the most notable, Space Jam, inspired by a Bugs Bunny/Michael Jordan ad. But the successful evolution of appearing during a break in a show to being the show are very few and very far between, with most failing spectacularly.

The 9 Ernest movies showcase growth and humor, blending slapstick comedy with heartfelt storytelling for all ages. Ernest's chronological order of release aligns with story progression, offering insight into character evolution & franchise development. Follow Ernest's journey from camp counselor to army enlistee, exploring themes of adventure, education, sports, and teamwork.

With nine films in the franchise, understanding the Ernest movies in order can be difficult. The Ernest movie franchise is an iconic collection of comedy movies that center around the lovable and bumbling character Ernest P. Worrell, portrayed by the late Jim Varney. Ernest's character is a janitor by trade, but he finds himself in a variety of professions and adventures, each bringing its own set of challenges and comedic scenarios. The franchise's success lies in its ability to blend slapstick comedy with a wholesome storyline, making it appealing to both children and adults alike.

Ernest P. Worrell started as a...

The creation of Ernest P. Worrell, played by actor/comedian Jim Varney, was novel for an advertising-saturated age. The idea was that the character's creators -- John R. Cherry III, his business partner Jerry Carden, and Varney -- would farm out their pre-made mascot to whatever product or service that might want him, and Ernest would hawk their wares. He wasn't invented for any one particular business. He was invented to be a pitchman-for-hire, and the Ernest ads all followed a similar format, making the commercial spots low-budget and instantly universal. Ernest was hired by the Coca-Cola Company to sell Sprite, but would also appear in ads for local businesses like the Cerrito Auto Square. Ernest was very, very popular.

Eventually, the Ernest ads became so huge and ubiquitous that the character began to bleed over into feature films and TV shows. Ernest was a media personality writ large, living...

The short and shaggy tale of an aging hitman (Pierce Brosnan) who realizes it’s time to either get out of the game or die trying, Phillip Noyce’s “Fast Charlie” is the kind of movie you’ve seen a thousand times before. It was adapted from the 2003 Victor Gischler novel “Gun Monkeys,” which is the kind of book you’ve read a thousand times before. And yet, the difference here — the most crucial reason why this particular version of that well-weathered story is weirdly charming instead of trite — is that Noyce’s film treats its ultra-familiar tropes as more of a feature than a bug. They’re the lingua franca of a Southern-fried thriller set in the clogged drain at the bottom of the criminal underworld; a place that everybody talks about leaving, but nobody ever seems to escape. Not while they’re still breathing, anyway.

Most of these...

Cassandra "Elvira" Peterson had all kinds of movie ideas that never came to fruition, as the horror legend has now revealed.

Speaking about her career with Dread Central, Elvira reflected on the difficulties she had in getting projects greenlit. She recalled how her 1988 film, Elvira: Mistress of the Dark, had a troubled release after its distributor went bankrupt two days after the movie's premiere. Elvira attributes this to the low box office return for the project, which bombed at the time despite the film going on to develop a cult following. That also created a lot of trouble with trying to get another movie made, with Elvira noting, "I couldn’t get another movie made for the life of me because, basically, studios look at the numbers."

Exclusive: David Avallone Takes Elvira on a Journey into Monsterland

With getting more films made, it may not have been just the box...

Camp Hideout is a family comedy film directed by Sean Olson from a screenplay by Kat Olson, C. Neil Davenport, and Dave DeBorde. The comedy film follows the story of a troubled teen who steals an essential item from two goons, and he hides from them in a summer camp. While hiding there he finds a new group of friends and to save them from the goons he must do everything he can. So, if you loved the family comedy film here are some similar movies you could check out next.

Home Alone (Starz & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – 20th Century Fox

Synopsis: Eight-year-old Kevin McAllister is accidentally left behind in suburban Chicago while his family travels on vacation to France during the holiday season. Once he realizes they’ve left him home alone, Kevin learns to fend for himself and protect his house against bumbling burglars, Harry and Marv, who...

Though not a setting often associated with the realm of comedy, there have been dozens of hilarious movies throughout the years that have taken place within the walls of a prison. Many likely spring to mind. And while Down by Law (1986) wasn't one of them, the film at hand in terms of sheer hilarity outshines those that may have. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, this is the funniest prison movie ever made regardless of popularity and critical acclaim.

And although Down by Law by no means made waves at the worldwide box office, it was well-received upon release by critics and audiences alike. Marking the third feature film of the aforementioned American auteur following Stranger Than Paradise (1980) and Permanent Vacation (1984), this was by far his funniest film to that point. One could argue it remains the most uproarious Jarmusch film even four decades later. And despite its many competitors,...

In the world of cinematic comedy, few characters have made as indelible a mark as Ernest P Worrell, brilliantly portrayed by the late American actor Jim Varney. We will take a look at all the Ernest P Worrell movies in order and delve into the humor, chaos, and heartwarming moments that define his cinematic legacy.

Beginning with his emergence in television commercials and later in the television series “Hey Vern, It’s Ernest!” before venturing into a series of feature films, Ernest’s enduring popularity speaks to his timeless charm.

Related: Austin Powers Movies In Order By Release Date

So, prepare for a journey through the extraordinary universe of Ernest P. Worrell, where laughter is guaranteed.

1 ‘The Ernest Film Festival’ (1986)

IMDb: 6.8/10 255

Duration: 55m | Genres: Comedy | Director: John R. Cherry III

Cast: Jim Varney

“The Ernest Film Festival” (1986) serves as a delightful compilation of the early comedic exploits of the lovable character Ernest P.

There's nothing like a good horror movie to get the heart pumping. This could be why the genre is often sought out on date nights. Still, depending on the situation or a significant other's preferences, too much of a good scare can spoil a romantic evening.

However, the chills and thrills shouldn't be put aside altogether. There are plenty of movies out there that are perfect for the occasion. They still have some frightful elements, but not so much that a person's date is running for the door. Additionally, many of these films include a little romance of their own.

Related: 10 Most Romantic Horror Movies

Halloweentown (1998)

Halloweentown is a beloved Disney Channel movie on par with Hocus Pocus, so it has some spooky bits. However, for the most part, it's a family-friendly movie that revolves around Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown), a witch raised as an average child alongside her two siblings,...

Off the back of Disney’s announcement that Toy Story 5 is in development, many fans of the beloved Pixar franchise are taking to social media to question the impetus behind the decision. Starring the vocal talents of Tom Hanks and Tim Allen, 1995’s original Toy Story was the first ever wholly computer-animated feature film, as well as the first movie-length project produced by Pixar Animation Studios. Widely praised by critics and earning itself a swathe of award nominations, Toy Story would go on to gross over 374 million in worldwide box office and spawn three direct sequels, as well as last year’s spinoff film Lightyear, featuring Chris Evans as the in-universe fictional character that inspired the toy voiced by Allen.

Now Disney, which first acquired Pixar in 2006, seems set to continue the franchise, with Toy Story 5 announced by CEO Bob Iger at the company’s latest quarterly earnings call. Yet...

Though it might be silly at times, there is still a great deal to enjoy about the new festive movie Christmas at Mistletoe Farm. As tends to be the case with such movies, this one focuses on a man who, as Christmas bears down on him, finds out that he’s inherited his father’s Christmas tree farm.

Hijinks ensue but, of course, everything turns out alright in the end. Though it is somewhat predictable and at times over-the-top in terms of its humor, these are the traits that fans love about movies like this one. Thus, they will be glad to know that there are a number of other holiday movies which provide some of the same sorts of pleasure.

Elf (2003) Stream On Prime Video

Elf is another beloved Christmas classic, and it is rightly seen as one of Will Ferrell’s best movies. He plays the title character,...

This article contains Ernest Saves Christmas spoilers

After hurrying his grandkids off to bed, an elderly man puts the finishing touches on his Christmas Eve presentation. He bounces around the tree, bubbling over with the Christmas spirit until a rustling outside his door causes him to pause. Could that noise be Santa Claus himself? Just as the grandfather allows himself to believe the impossible, a grotesque creature bursts through the door, leading with his extended claws. The grandfather wastes no time, training a pistol on the invader and sneering, “Die, you son of a…”

Unable to say the curse word, the actor playing the grandfather calls cut and the actors reset. It turns out, we’re not watching a horror movie at all, but Ernest Saves Christmas, a Christmas movie with its own set of oddities. The 1988 film stars milk pitchman turned unlikely children’s movie star Ernest P. Worrell,...

Of the many TV-to-movie adaptations, the diciest propositions have always been the films based on series that were tailored to the personality of their stars. Dan Aykroyd made "Dragnet" work (until its lame action finale) because he was doing a dead-on, deadpan parody of Jack Webb's Sergeant Joe Friday, whereas the great Jim Varney struggled as Jed Clampett in 1993's "The Beverly Hillbillies" because, when it came to playing TV rednecks, he was too defined by his Ernest P. Worrell persona to approximate Buddy Ebsen's interpretation and/or add his own flourishes.

It gets dicier when you're adapting a show named after the actual star. Even if creator James L. Brooks went nutzoid and decided to revive "The Mary Tyler Moore" show starring Sydney Sweeney, there would be an audience of exactly zero for it. Fans of the show would be aghast at the notion of anyone trying...

Because Halloween is the time of year when horror appeals to all ages and backgrounds, this week’s streaming picks are dedicated to gateway Halloween horror movies.

These movies capture the Halloween spirit and target the budding monster kid. More importantly, they make a great introduction to the genre thanks to the light scares and genre stalwarts behind them, from Sam Raimi to Guillermo del Toro and beyond.

Here’s where you can stream these five gateway Halloween horror movies this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Don’t Look Under the Bed – Disney+

High school student Frances Bacon McCausland (Erin Chambers) gets blamed for a series of pranks plaguing her small town. Frances suspects the culprit is new kid Larry Houdini (Ty Hodges), but it quickly becomes apparent that only she can see him. It turns out that Larry is an imaginary friend and Frances’ only...

Back in 2020 Disney announced that its popular (but highly controversial) attraction Splash Mountain would get an overlay, this time themed to “Princess and the Frog,” its 2009 animated feature that starred the studio’s first African American Princess, Tiana (voiced memorably by Anika Noni Rose).

Now the company has finally announced some details, chiefly that the attraction’s new name will be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and that it will open at Walt Disney World and Disneyland in late 2024. If you want to take one last trip to the Laughin’ Place, you might want to do it soon …

Announced today during Essence Fest in New Orleans (where the film and new attraction will be set), Disney also announced the first concrete details of the attraction’s storyline: “Picking up where the film left off, guests will join Princess Tiana, Naveen and jazz-loving alligator Louis on an adventure through the bayou as...

On May 8, 2022, John R. Cherry III passed away at the age of 73 due to Parkinson's disease. Cherry is perhaps best known as the creator of Ernest P. Worrell, a bumbling, none-too-bright-but-good-hearted blue-collar hero played by the late Jim Varney in TV shows, commercials, and 11 feature films — 10 of which Cherry directed. According to a 1993 interview in the Los Angeles Times, Ernest — first invented in 1980 — was inspired by one of Cherry's dad's co-workers, a confident man who thought he knew everything, but actually knew nothing. Cherry found his muse in Varney, an aspiring standup comedian at the time,...

The post Remembering John R. Cherry, Co-Creator of Ernest P. Worrell appeared first on /Film.

There are two men responsible for the creation of beloved character Ernest P. Worrell, of course including the late actor Jim Varney who memorably played Ernest on screen. But it was John R. Cherry III who created the Ernest character that Varney ended up making famous, and we’ve learned the sad news this week that […]

The post ‘Ernest Scared Stupid’ Director John Cherry Has Passed Away appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

One of the highlights of the April 2 episode of “Saturday Night Live” was the return of Pete Davidson, who had missed a few previous episodes due to a busy film shooting schedule. Luckily, he was in the mood to rap, praising his love for time-efficient cinema in the music video for “Short-Ass Movie.”

The sketch showcases Davidson’s opinion that the long runtimes of films like “The Batman” (2022) and “Heat” (1995) cause bathroom accidents and friends to fall asleep after 20 minutes, while there are many genius works enhanced by their short runtimes.

Perhaps the most fun moments for rap fans were the key collaborators, including the show’s musical guest Gunna (who gave new meaning to his hit song “Pushin P”), Davidson’s fellow cast member Chris Redd, and a welcome return to rap from Dirt Nasty, aka actor Simon Rex. Although Rex revitalized his career in 2021 via a brilliant lead...

During the closing credits of “The Last Mercenary,” we see a montage of Jean-Claude Van Damme in the various getups he wore during the movie (a fuzzy beard; a mustache and Yankees cap; a blond wig; a Bond tuxedo; drag). The film presents this cavalcade of mostly routine disguises with wide-eyed affection, as if it were showing us Peter Sellers in his “Pink Panther” prime. It’s all part of the delusion that the makers of “The Last Mercenary” (who are French) are apparently under: that Jean-Claude Van Damme is no mere action star — that he’s a stylish comedian, an icon of such ironic charisma that we’d follow him anywhere, even through the paces of a maladroit caper movie like this one.

Van Damme was always a good-looking bruiser, sleeker than those other martial-arts poster boys Chuck Norris and Steven Seagal. He’s 60 now, which in our world...

It what may be no surprise, The Importance of Being Ernest has successfully ended its Kickstarter campaign after far surpassing its initial goal. Aiming to tell the definitive story of late actor Jim Varney and his time spent playing pop culture icon Ernest P. Worrell, filmmakers were seeking to raise a $60,000 budget for everything they needed to properly develop the documentary. At the end of the one-month campaign on Kickstarter, the project raised a total of $76,974 from nearly 1000 backers.

This is certainly fantastic news for every Jim Varney fan, as this means the project will definitely get made with the best possible quality. It's also something that's been long overdue for the late comedy legend, as there really hasn't been a definitive documentary made about his life and career that told the whole story of who he really was. Time is of the essence as more and more of Varney's...

Comedy legend Jim Varney would be celebrating his 72nd birthday today if he were still with us, and fans around the world are paying tribute to the late character actor. Best known for playing the pop culture phenomenon Ernest P. Worrell, Varney appeared in a variety of Ernest movies over the course of several years. He is also known for playing Jed Clampett in The Beverly Hillbillies movie adaptation and voicing Slinky Dog in the Toy Story movies, and fans of The Simpsons fondly remember him as Cooter the crooked carnie.

Sadly, Varney was just 50 years old when he passed away in 2000. More than two decades later, fans are still missing the one of a kind performer. In honor of the late actor's 72nd birthday, many fans have taken to social media to pay tribute. It goes to show just how much of an impact Varney had left on the...

The Jim Varney documentary The Importance of Being Ernest is quickly moving closer towards production after launching the crowdfunding campaign for its budget. Previously a teaser trailer was released for the movie, which delves into the life and career of Varney and his legendary run as Ernest P. Worrell. It will show fans a new side of the comedic actor by including never-before-seen footage of Varney along with new stories about the late legend from some of the people who knew him best.

Now, the filmmakers are moving full steam ahead on the project with the new crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter. Currently halfway past its goal of $60,000, there are just under two weeks left to go to back the project as of this writing. Regardless of how much money is raised, the filmmakers say the team has "enough experience, heart, and know-how to make a fully-realized narrative worthy of Jim and Ernest's legacy.

May the Force Dismiss You: Falcone & McCarthy Amuse Themselves in Latest Improv Heavy Exercise

Comedy is harder than it looks, especially if one is delivering a particular brand of unfluctuating tomfoolery. Director Ben Falcone and his muse/wife/star Melissa McCarthy unite for the fifth time in Thunder Force, a pseudo-superhero satire which delivers on the all-too-familiar brand of the latter’s penchant for playing hapless fools who somehow always derive redemption by the final frame once the obligatory and predictable third act shenanigans run their course.

By now, the duo, whose partnership was generated following the runaway success of 2011’s Bridesmaids would seem to have run its course, having taken on the expectedness of Jim Varney and his prized Earnest P.…...

As the embodiment of kindness, generosity, and Yuletide beneficence, Santa Claus presents some mighty big black boots, much less a red suit, for any actor to fill. But jolly old Saint Nicholas has appeared in the movies for as long as the movies have existed, and here are some of our favorite actors who’ve steered the sleigh (not counting Billy Bob Thornton and anyone else who has played a guy who is pretending to be Santa):

Kurt Russell in “The Christmas Chronicles” (2018) and “The Christmas Chronicles 2” (2020): There’s more than a little bit of Russell’s trucker character from “Big Trouble in Little China” in his take on Father Christmas, but that blue-collar bravado and dad-bod energy make this character, in the words of critic Nathan Rabin, “a Santa who f–ks.”

Jim Broadbent, “Arthur Christmas” (2011): In this delightful animated adventure from Aardman, Broadbent plays...