Beloved 'Ernest' Actor Bill Byrge Dead at 92
Bill Byrge, best known for his role as Bobby in various Ernest P. Worrell movies and TV series, has died at the age of 92.
Byrge's cousin Sharon Chapman shared the news of his passing in a Facebook post.
"He was a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying," she wrote, acknowledging the impact of his Bobby character starring opposite Jim Varney. "I always teased him of being a 'star' in our family. He deserved it as [he was] raised poor, but his momma taught him love, respect, and faith which he showed to everyone."
"Heaven gained a sweet soul today," she concluded. "Love you, Billy. See you soon!"
Byrge got his start in 1986 by appearing in a number of "Me and My Brother Bobby" commercials produced by Carden and Cherry, an advertising agency based in his hometown of Nashville. Byrge's Bobby character was quiet and reserved compared his co-star Gailard Sartain as twin brother Chuck, who would endorse a product in the commercial while Bobby usually silently agreed.
Carden and Cherry was also behind the Ernest P. Worrell series of commercials, in which actor Jim Varney's Ernest character similarly endorsed a variety of products in advertisements. Eventually, in 1988, the two began starring together in the Saturday morning children's show Hey Vern, It's Ernest! Byrge reprised his role in the subsequent movies Ernest Saves Christmas, Ernest Goes to Jail, Ernest Scared Stupid, and Ernest Goes to School.
Byrge went on to live a quiet life in Nashville up until his death.
