'Ernest' actor Bill Byrge dies, remembered as a funny and kind soul
Bill Byrge, the actor best known for his role as Bobby, Ernest’s neighbor, in multiple Ernest comedy films, passed away on Thursday.

His cousin, Sharon Chapman, confirmed his death in a heartfelt post on Facebook. According to Chapman, Byrge passed away at 12 PM in the Nashville area. She shared a photo of the actor on a porch swing and described him as "a beautiful soul who made people laugh without even trying."
Byrge’s acting career was closely linked to Jim Varney, with whom he formed a longstanding partnership. The two first worked together in the 1985 film Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam, where Byrge played a gas station attendant. This marked the beginning of their collaboration, which continued with the Ernest series. Byrge appeared as Bobby in films like Ernest Saves Christmas (1988), Ernest Goes to Jail (1990), Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), and Ernest Goes to School (1994), as well as in the TV show Hey, Vern, It’s Ernest!.
In 2010, Byrge reprised his role in Billy & Bobby the Wacky Duo on Vacation!, a project released a decade after Varney’s death in 2000 from lung cancer. Byrge also appeared in the short Harry the Dirty Dog in 1988, though he was uncredited.
Aside from his acting career, Byrge worked as a librarian in Nashville. Chapman described him as a "jokester" with a unique presence that made him unforgettable. She also shared that Byrge was reluctant to leave his day job for acting and didn’t want to speak in movies. However, the producer believed his expressive face and quirky demeanor made him perfect for roles that didn’t require dialogue.
Byrge, who never married or had children, will be remembered for his contributions to the Ernest films and his infectious humor. A memorial service will be held in Nashville in the coming days.