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James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', and ''Franchise/ToyStory''.

to:

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest [[Film/ErnestPWorrell Ernest]] films, ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', and ''Franchise/ToyStory''.
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Best-known for Ernest and similar comedy roles, Varney did [[PlayingAgainstType occasionally play dramatic parts]]. He won positive reviews for playing an abusive father in the independent film ''100 Proof'', and had a major role in Creator/BillyBobThornton's film ''Daddy and Them'' as the main character's criminal Uncle. Varney often expressed an interest in returning to Shakespearean theater, and starred in a one-time performance of ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' for a [[https://www.looper.com/286394/the-untold-truth-about-ernest-p-worrell/ Nashville charity benefit]] in 1993. Varney reportedly planned to write and star in a film about the Hatfields and [=McCoys=] before his death.

to:

Best-known for Ernest and similar comedy roles, Varney did [[PlayingAgainstType occasionally play dramatic parts]]. He won positive reviews for playing an abusive father in the independent film ''100 Proof'', and had a major role in Creator/BillyBobThornton's film ''Daddy and Them'' as the main character's criminal Uncle. Varney often expressed an interest in returning to Shakespearean theater, and starred in a one-time performance of ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' for a [[https://www.looper.com/286394/the-untold-truth-about-ernest-p-worrell/ Nashville charity benefit]] in 1993. [[note]]No footage of this performance survives, but Varney did perform [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1G7KQZpP3c several Hamlet speeches]] for a CBS News segment in 1985, providing fans with some demonstration of his Shakespearean chops.[[/note]] Varney reportedly planned to write and star in a film about the Hatfields and [=McCoys=] before his death.
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Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', ''Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with performing as a stand-up comic. Varney found greater success as a comedian, which showcased his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].

to:

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', ''Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with performing as a stand-up comic. Varney found greater success as a comedian, which showcased his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].
once]] and in the late' 70s relocated to Los Angeles to focus full-time on stand-up.
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The Ernest commercials gained national attention, and Varney parlayed their success into a long-running series of films and a short-lived television show, ''Hey Vern, It's Ernest!'' While generally panned by critics, the ''Ernest'' movies were extremely popular with audiences, particularly children. The movies' expanded format allowed Varney to build on Ernest's persona, making use of his theatrical training and skill in accents in the character's comedy riffs. Their success earned Varney starring film roles, notably in ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', along with voiceover appearances in ''Toy Story'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' and ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire''.

Best-known for Ernest and similar comedy roles, Varney did [[PlayingAgainstType occasionally play dramatic parts]]. He won positive reviews for playing an abusive father in the independent film ''100 Proof'', and had a major role in Creator/BillyBobThornton's film ''Daddy and Them'' as the main character's criminal Uncle. Varney expressed an interest in returning to Shakespearean theater (though unfortunately, he never got the chance), and reportedly planned to write and star in a film about the Hatfields and [=McCoys=] before his death.

to:

The Ernest commercials gained national attention, and Varney parlayed their success into a long-running series of films and a short-lived television show, ''Hey Vern, It's Ernest!'' While generally panned by critics, the ''Ernest'' movies were extremely popular with audiences, particularly children. [[note]]At the height of his fame, Varney would often visit children's hospitals in character to cheer up the patients.[[/note]] The movies' expanded format allowed Varney to build on Ernest's persona, making use of his theatrical training and skill in accents in the character's comedy riffs. Their success earned Varney starring film roles, notably in ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', along with voiceover appearances in ''Toy Story'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' and ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire''.

Best-known for Ernest and similar comedy roles, Varney did [[PlayingAgainstType occasionally play dramatic parts]]. He won positive reviews for playing an abusive father in the independent film ''100 Proof'', and had a major role in Creator/BillyBobThornton's film ''Daddy and Them'' as the main character's criminal Uncle. Varney often expressed an interest in returning to Shakespearean theater (though unfortunately, he never got the chance), theater, and starred in a one-time performance of ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'' for a [[https://www.looper.com/286394/the-untold-truth-about-ernest-p-worrell/ Nashville charity benefit]] in 1993. Varney reportedly planned to write and star in a film about the Hatfields and [=McCoys=] before his death.
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Varney died in 2000 from lung cancer.

to:

A chain smoker for decades, Varney died in 2000 from lung cancer.
cancer, at the age of 50.

Added: 32

Changed: 44

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->''“The people who like sports cars and sunglasses are not our audience [for the Ernest films]...From 14 down and 25 up, we have a huge audience. Older people aren’t afraid to laugh at him, and kids aren’t self-conscious yet.”''

to:

->''“The ->''"The people who like sports cars and sunglasses are not our audience [for the Ernest films]...From 14 down and 25 up, we have a huge audience. Older people aren’t aren't afraid to laugh at him, and kids aren’t aren't self-conscious yet.”''
"''



!Film Roles

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!Film Roles----
!!Film Roles:



!Television Roles

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!Television Roles----
!!Television Roles:

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Removed: 47

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James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', and ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory''.

to:

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', and ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory''.
''Franchise/ToyStory''.



* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' as Slinky Dog
** ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' as Slinky Dog

to:

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' as Slinky Dog
** ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2''
''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1'' as Slinky Dog


Added DiffLines:

* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' as Slinky Dog
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* ''Series/{{Alice}}'' as Milo Skinner (1 episode)

to:

* ''Series/{{Alice}}'' ''Series/Alice1976'' as Milo Skinner (1 episode)
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Varney's comedy led to a handful of film and television roles, including recurring characters on ''Operation Petticoat'' and ''Series/PinkLadyAndJeff'', in the late '70s and early '80s. But he didn't gain wide recognition until the mid-'80s, when Varney was cast by Nashville advertising agent John R. Cherry as Film/ErnestPWorrell in a series of commercials broadcast throughout the South. A scatterbrained mechanic, Ernest promoted a variety of regional products and businesses by speaking to his unseen friend Vern, engaging in pratfalls and slapstick humor and uttering his catchphrase, "Knowwutimean?"

to:

Varney's comedy led to a handful of film and television roles, including recurring characters on ''Operation Petticoat'' and ''Series/PinkLadyAndJeff'', in the late '70s and early '80s. But he didn't gain wide recognition until the mid-'80s, when Varney was cast by Nashville advertising agent John R. Cherry as Film/ErnestPWorrell in a series of commercials broadcast throughout the South. A scatterbrained scatterbrained, motormouthed mechanic, Ernest promoted a variety of regional products and businesses by speaking to his unseen friend Vern, engaging in pratfalls and slapstick humor and uttering his catchphrase, "Knowwutimean?"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', ''Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with starting his career as a stand-up comic. Varney began to focus on the latter, which showcasted his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].

Varney's comedy career led to a handful of film and television roles, including recurring characters on ''Operation Petticoat'' and ''Series/PinkLadyAndJeff'', in the late '70s and early '80s. But he didn't gain wide recognition until the mid-'80s, when Varney was cast by Nashville advertising agent John R. Cherry as Film/ErnestPWorrell in a series of commercials broadcast throughout the South. A scatterbrained mechanic, Ernest promoted a variety of regional products and businesses by speaking to his unseen friend Vern, engaging in pratfalls and slapstick humor and uttering his catchphrase, "Knowwutimean?"

to:

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', ''Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with starting his career performing as a stand-up comic. Varney began to focus on the latter, found greater success as a comedian, which showcasted showcased his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].

Varney's comedy career led to a handful of film and television roles, including recurring characters on ''Operation Petticoat'' and ''Series/PinkLadyAndJeff'', in the late '70s and early '80s. But he didn't gain wide recognition until the mid-'80s, when Varney was cast by Nashville advertising agent John R. Cherry as Film/ErnestPWorrell in a series of commercials broadcast throughout the South. A scatterbrained mechanic, Ernest promoted a variety of regional products and businesses by speaking to his unseen friend Vern, engaging in pratfalls and slapstick humor and uttering his catchphrase, "Knowwutimean?"
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None


Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with starting his career as a stand-up comic. Varney began to focus on the latter, which showcasted his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].

to:

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with starting his career as a stand-up comic. Varney began to focus on the latter, which showcasted his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
added bio

Added DiffLines:

->''“The people who like sports cars and sunglasses are not our audience [for the Ernest films]...From 14 down and 25 up, we have a huge audience. Older people aren’t afraid to laugh at him, and kids aren’t self-conscious yet.”''


Added DiffLines:

Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Varney expressed an early interest in acting and started taking drama courses as an eight year old. He received training in classical theater from actress Thelma Beeler, and performed in regional theater in Kentucky and Virginia, appearing in productions of ''Theatre/AMidsummerNightsDream'', Theatre/BlitheSpirit'', ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'' and others. From there, he moved to New York, appearing in off-Broadway theater, along with starting his career as a stand-up comic. Varney began to focus on the latter, which showcasted his talent in accents and [[ActingForTwo playing multiple characters at once]].

Varney's comedy career led to a handful of film and television roles, including recurring characters on ''Operation Petticoat'' and ''Series/PinkLadyAndJeff'', in the late '70s and early '80s. But he didn't gain wide recognition until the mid-'80s, when Varney was cast by Nashville advertising agent John R. Cherry as Film/ErnestPWorrell in a series of commercials broadcast throughout the South. A scatterbrained mechanic, Ernest promoted a variety of regional products and businesses by speaking to his unseen friend Vern, engaging in pratfalls and slapstick humor and uttering his catchphrase, "Knowwutimean?"

The Ernest commercials gained national attention, and Varney parlayed their success into a long-running series of films and a short-lived television show, ''Hey Vern, It's Ernest!'' While generally panned by critics, the ''Ernest'' movies were extremely popular with audiences, particularly children. The movies' expanded format allowed Varney to build on Ernest's persona, making use of his theatrical training and skill in accents in the character's comedy riffs. Their success earned Varney starring film roles, notably in ''The Beverly Hillbillies'', along with voiceover appearances in ''Toy Story'', ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' and ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire''.

Best-known for Ernest and similar comedy roles, Varney did [[PlayingAgainstType occasionally play dramatic parts]]. He won positive reviews for playing an abusive father in the independent film ''100 Proof'', and had a major role in Creator/BillyBobThornton's film ''Daddy and Them'' as the main character's criminal Uncle. Varney expressed an interest in returning to Shakespearean theater (though unfortunately, he never got the chance), and reportedly planned to write and star in a film about the Hatfields and [=McCoys=] before his death.
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** ''Film/ErnestGoestToJail'' as Ernest

to:

** ''Film/ErnestGoestToJail'' ''Film/ErnestGoesToJail'' as Ernest
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Added DiffLines:

[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/220px_jim_varney.jpg]]
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James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies, and WesternAnimation/ToyStory.

to:

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies, ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies'', and WesternAnimation/ToyStory.
''WesternAnimation/ToyStory''.



Varney died in 2000 from cancer

to:

Varney died in 2000 from cancer
lung cancer.



* Film/KnowhutimeanHeyVernItsMyFamilyAlbum as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/DrOttoAndTheRiddleOfTheGloomBeam as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/ErnestGoesToCamp as Ernest
** Film/ErnestSavesChristmas as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoestToJail as Ernest
** Film/ErnestScaredStupid as Ernest
** Film/ErnestRidesAgain as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToSchool as Ernest
** Film/SlamDunkErnest as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToAfrica as Ernest/various
** Film/ErnestInTheArmy as Ernest
* Film/FastFood as Wrangler Bob Bundy
* Film/WilderNapalm as Rex
* Film/TheBeverlyHillbiilies as Jed Clampett
* Film/TheExpert as Snake
* WesternAnimation/ToyStory as Slinky Dog
** WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 as Slinky Dog
* Film/SnowboardAcademy as Rudy James
* WesternAnimation/AnnabellesWish as Mr. Gus Holder
* Film/ThreeNinjasHighNoonAtMegaMountain as Lothar Zogg
* Film/TreehouseHostage as Carl Banks
* Film/DaddyAndThem as Hazel Montgomery
* WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire as Jebidah 'Cookie' Farnsworth

to:

* Film/KnowhutimeanHeyVernItsMyFamilyAlbum ''Film/KnowhutimeanHeyVernItsMyFamilyAlbum'' as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/DrOttoAndTheRiddleOfTheGloomBeam ''Film/DrOttoAndTheRiddleOfTheGloomBeam'' as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/ErnestGoesToCamp ''Film/ErnestGoesToCamp'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestSavesChristmas ''Film/ErnestSavesChristmas'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoestToJail ''Film/ErnestGoestToJail'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestScaredStupid ''Film/ErnestScaredStupid'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestRidesAgain ''Film/ErnestRidesAgain'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToSchool ''Film/ErnestGoesToSchool'' as Ernest
** Film/SlamDunkErnest ''Film/SlamDunkErnest'' as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToAfrica ''Film/ErnestGoesToAfrica'' as Ernest/various
** Film/ErnestInTheArmy ''Film/ErnestInTheArmy'' as Ernest
* Film/FastFood ''Film/FastFood'' as Wrangler Bob Bundy
* Film/WilderNapalm ''Film/WilderNapalm'' as Rex
* Film/TheBeverlyHillbiilies ''Film/TheBeverlyHillbiilies'' as Jed Clampett
* Film/TheExpert ''Film/TheExpert'' as Snake
* WesternAnimation/ToyStory ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory'' as Slinky Dog
** WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory2'' as Slinky Dog
* Film/SnowboardAcademy ''Film/SnowboardAcademy'' as Rudy James
* WesternAnimation/AnnabellesWish ''WesternAnimation/AnnabellesWish'' as Mr. Gus Holder
* Film/ThreeNinjasHighNoonAtMegaMountain ''Film/ThreeNinjasHighNoonAtMegaMountain'' as Lothar Zogg
* Film/TreehouseHostage ''Film/TreehouseHostage'' as Carl Banks
* Film/DaddyAndThem ''Film/DaddyAndThem'' as Hazel Montgomery
* WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire ''WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire'' as Jebidah 'Cookie' Farnsworth



* Series/{{Dinah}} as Himself (1 episode)
* Series/OperationPetticoat as Doom & Gloom Doom
* Series/{{Alice}} as Milo Skinner (1 episode)
* Series/PinkLady as various (6 episodes)
* Series/PopGoesTheCountry as Bobby Burbank/'Shotglass' The Bartender/Bunny The Barmaid (1982-1983)
* Series/TheRousters as Evan Earp
* Series/HeyVernItsErnest as Ernest Worrell/various
** Series/HappyNewYearAmerica as Ernest/correspondents
* Series/{{Roseanne}} as Prince Carlos (2 episodes)
* WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries as King Ephialtes (1 episode)
* WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons as Cooder (1 episode)

to:

* Series/{{Dinah}} ''Series/{{Dinah}}'' as Himself (1 episode)
* Series/OperationPetticoat ''Series/OperationPetticoat'' as Doom & Gloom Doom
* Series/{{Alice}} ''Series/{{Alice}}'' as Milo Skinner (1 episode)
* Series/PinkLady ''Series/PinkLady'' as various (6 episodes)
* Series/PopGoesTheCountry ''Series/PopGoesTheCountry'' as Bobby Burbank/'Shotglass' The Bartender/Bunny The Barmaid (1982-1983)
* Series/TheRousters ''Series/TheRousters'' as Evan Earp
* Series/HeyVernItsErnest ''Series/HeyVernItsErnest'' as Ernest Worrell/various
** Series/HappyNewYearAmerica ''Series/HappyNewYearAmerica'' as Ernest/correspondents
* Series/{{Roseanne}} ''Series/{{Roseanne}}'' as Prince Carlos (2 episodes)
* WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries ''WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries'' as King Ephialtes (1 episode)
* WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' as Cooder (1 episode)
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Added DiffLines:

James Albert Varney Jr. (June 15, 1949- February 10, 2000) was an American actor and comedian best known for the Ernest films, Film/TheBeverlyHillbillies, and WesternAnimation/ToyStory.

He was married to Jacqueline Drew and Jane Varney.

Varney died in 2000 from cancer

!Film Roles
* Film/KnowhutimeanHeyVernItsMyFamilyAlbum as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/DrOttoAndTheRiddleOfTheGloomBeam as Ernest P. Worrell/various
** Film/ErnestGoesToCamp as Ernest
** Film/ErnestSavesChristmas as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoestToJail as Ernest
** Film/ErnestScaredStupid as Ernest
** Film/ErnestRidesAgain as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToSchool as Ernest
** Film/SlamDunkErnest as Ernest
** Film/ErnestGoesToAfrica as Ernest/various
** Film/ErnestInTheArmy as Ernest
* Film/FastFood as Wrangler Bob Bundy
* Film/WilderNapalm as Rex
* Film/TheBeverlyHillbiilies as Jed Clampett
* Film/TheExpert as Snake
* WesternAnimation/ToyStory as Slinky Dog
** WesternAnimation/ToyStory2 as Slinky Dog
* Film/SnowboardAcademy as Rudy James
* WesternAnimation/AnnabellesWish as Mr. Gus Holder
* Film/ThreeNinjasHighNoonAtMegaMountain as Lothar Zogg
* Film/TreehouseHostage as Carl Banks
* Film/DaddyAndThem as Hazel Montgomery
* WesternAnimation/AtlantisTheLostEmpire as Jebidah 'Cookie' Farnsworth

!Television Roles
* Series/{{Dinah}} as Himself (1 episode)
* Series/OperationPetticoat as Doom & Gloom Doom
* Series/{{Alice}} as Milo Skinner (1 episode)
* Series/PinkLady as various (6 episodes)
* Series/PopGoesTheCountry as Bobby Burbank/'Shotglass' The Bartender/Bunny The Barmaid (1982-1983)
* Series/TheRousters as Evan Earp
* Series/HeyVernItsErnest as Ernest Worrell/various
** Series/HappyNewYearAmerica as Ernest/correspondents
* Series/{{Roseanne}} as Prince Carlos (2 episodes)
* WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries as King Ephialtes (1 episode)
* WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons as Cooder (1 episode)

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