‘Ernest’ actor Bill Byrge dead at 92
nypost.comFacebook page on Thursday. “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,” she wrote. “He was the “Bobby” character in several Ernest movies with Jim Varney.
I always teased him of being a ‘star’ in our family,” she continued. “He deserved it as raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect, and faith which he showed to everyone,” she concluded. “Heaven gained a sweet soul today.
Love you, Billy. See you soon!” Chapman didn’t state the cause of death. Byrge is best known for starring on the 1980s children’s “Ernest” franchise, which included a show and eight spinoff movies, including “Ernest Goes to Jail, ”Ernest Goes to School” and “Ernest Saves Christmas.”Chapman told TMZ that Byrge was discovered walking down the sidewalk, before he got cast in 1985’s “Dr.
Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam.” That eventually led to the “Ernest” franchise, which starred Jim Varney as Ernest, a happy-go-lucky handyman who frequently made mistakes but had a heart of gold.
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