“KnoWhutImean?!” For millions, that one unforgettable phrase defined a generation of laughter—and the man behind it was so much more than Ernest P. Worrell.

In this comprehensive biography, Jim Varney’s nephew Justin Lloyd pulls back the curtain on the complex, wildly talented actor who became a pop culture icon. From his early days in Kentucky dreaming of Shakespeare to becoming a beloved fixture in homes across America, Jim’s journey is full of heart, humor, and heartbreak.

— Exclusive bonus content, including John Cherry’s behind-the-scenes insights and a candid conversation with Loney Hutchins

— Never-before-heard stories from family and close friends

— The real story behind the Nashville ad agency that accidentally launched a legend

— Jim’s internal battle to break free from Ernest—and the roles that showed even more of what he could do

More than just the man in the denim vest, Jim Varney was a classically trained actor, a gifted writer of poems and songs, a Shakespeare-inspired creator of his own sonnets, and the descendant of coal miners who never lost touch with his Appalachian roots. From Ernest Goes to Camp to Toy Story, this is the full picture of a life that burned bright and ended far too soon.

The Importance of Being Ernest is the biography Ernest fans have been waiting for.