Bill Byrge obit

Bill Byrge Dies: Actor From ‘Ernest’ Movies Was 92

 

He was not on the list.

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.

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 character Bobby in Ernest Saves Christmas, Ernest Goes to Jail, Ernest Scared Stupid and Ernest Goes to School.

Byrge also participated in Varney’s Saturday morning show Hey Vern, It’s Ernest in the late ’80s.

After Varney died in 2000, Byrge returned to work at a library, his cousin Chapman told TMZ.

 

Actor

Billy & Bobby the Whacky Duo on Vacation! (2010)

Billy & Bobby the Whacky Duo on Vacation!

Bobby

2010

 

Jim Varney in Ernest Goes to School (1994)

Ernest Goes to School

4.6

Bobby

1994

 

Jim Varney in Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

Ernest Scared Stupid

5.8

Bobby Tulip

1991

 

Jim Varney in Ernest Goes to Jail (1990)

Ernest Goes to Jail

5.4

Bobby

1990

 

Harry the Dirty Dog (1988)

Harry the Dirty Dog

6.3

Short

Painter (uncredited)

1988

 

Jim Varney in Hey, Vern, It's Ernest! (1988)

Hey, Vern, It's Ernest!

7.1

TV Series

Bobby

1988

13 episodes

 

Jim Varney in Ernest Saves Christmas (1988)

Ernest Saves Christmas

5.7

Bobby

1988

 

Jim Varney in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985)

Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam

5.0

Gas Station Attendant

1985

 

Producer

Billy & Bobby the Whacky Duo on Vacation! (2010)

Billy & Bobby the Whacky Duo on Vacation!

producer

2010