Bill Byrge, actor in multiple Ernest films with Jim Varney, dies aged 92

Bill Byrge, an American actor best known for his roles in multiple Ernest films, has died aged 92.

Byrge died in Nashville on Thursday according to his cousin Sharon Chapman, who described Byrge as “a beautiful soul who made people laugh without trying”.

“He was the Bobby character in several Ernest movies with Jim Varney,” she wrote on Facebook.

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“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.

“Heaven gained a sweet soul today. Love you, Billy. See you soon!”

Bill Byrge played the character Bobby in several Ernest films in the 1980s and 1990s. Credit: Supplied

Born in Tennessee in 1932, Byrge worked as a librarian before pursuing acting full time in the mid 1990s.

He first appeared in Dr. Otto and the Riddle of the Gloom Beam (1985) alongside Jim Varney who created the fictional Ernest P. Worrell.

The character spawned several feature films in the 1980s and 1990s in which Byrge played the role of Bobby.

He would later reprise the character in the 2010 film Billy & Bobby the Whacky Duo on Vacation!

Following Varney’s death in 2000, Byrge went back to working as a librarian, Chapman told TMZ.

Byrge’s cause of death is unclear.