‘Varsity Blues’ Actor Ron Lester Dies At Age 45

NewsWire.com

Ron Lester, best known for his role as  Billy Bob in the 1999 football movie Varsity Blues, died in Dallas Friday, June 17. He was 45.

Lester, a native of Georgia, had been hospitalized for about four months after battling liver and kidney problems. On Friday, doctors removed his ventilator.

“He was not in pain and passed away peacefully,” Lester’s agent, Dave Bradley, wrote in a Facebook post following the actor’s death, adding that his fiancee, Jennifer Worland, and his family and friends were at his bedside.

Lester previously battled health issues related to his weight. According to other media sources, Lester was 508 at his heaviest. The actor underwent gastric bypass surgery in 2001 and lost 350 pounds.

In addition to Varsity Blues, Lester also had roles on WB series Popular and on short-lived cult favorite Freaks and Geeks. Lester also appeared in country/rock band Little Texas’ video for their 1994 hit “Kick a Little.” 

Funeral arrangements for Ron Lester are pending.