(Instagram/ron_lester)
Actor Ron Lester died on Friday in Dallas, Texas, at age 45. His agent posted the announcement on Facebook, adding that the ‘Varsity Blues’ star was not in pain and that his fiancée, Jennifer Worland, was with him at the time.
Here’s what you need to know.
1. He Died of Liver and Kidney Failure
In November, Lester was hospitalized with liver issues. TMZ was also informed that the actor was suffering from kidney problems at the time. In January, he reached out to the news outlet to tell them that he “was having complications with his heart … but seemed to be in good spirits and even joked about the situation.”
According to Entertainment Weekly, Lester was moved from the intensive care unit to hospice care on Friday.
2. He Was Hospitalized for the Past Four Months
(Instagram/ron_lester)
Little is currently known about Lester’s medical situation. On Friday, TMZ reported that the actor was in critical condition, adding on that it “didn’t look good.”
TMZ writes, “Multiple people connected to Lester tell us he’s been there for roughly 4 months and his health has been in a steady decline.”
3. He Was Famous for Playing Billy Bob in ‘Varsity Blues’
Lester, who rose to stardom early in his career, played many iconic roles, but was most famous for his performance as Billy Bob in the 1999 football film, Varsity Blues. His reputation as the “lovable fat kid” also helped him snag roles in films like Not Another Teen Movie, and Good Burger.
Lester’s success, however, went beyond just movie credits. The actor and comedian appeared in multiple TV series as a guest star, including All That, The Keenan and Kel Show, Freaks and Geeks, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and CSI New York.
4. He Battled With Weight Issues for Years
(Instagram/ron_lester)
Lester’s struggle with obesity began at just five-years-old. In 2001, he weighed 508 pounds, and decided to visit a top surgeon in New York City to discuss the possibility of undergoing Gastric Bypass Surgery. He was told shortly thereafter that he qualified for the procedure, and on December 21, 2000, he underwent the surgery. At the time, the operation was relatively experimental, and Lester ended up having a complication during the surgery when he flatlined on the operating table. Fortunately, the operation ended up being a success, and helped the actor lose a total of 349 pounds in under two years. Body Building writes, “This procedure was not only life changing, but also life-saving for the former heavyset actor.”
After losing the weight, Lester told the website,
The difference is that I am no longer the ‘funny fat guy’. I sold my ‘niche’ for my chance to live. … I would never trade the life I have now with… the endless opportunities I have in store for me, with my old life.
5. He Completed Several Tours to Europe and the Middle East
According to his website, Lester had an “unswerving commitment to the US Armed Forces and has completed several U.S.O. and A.F.E. tours to Europe and the Middle East where he met with troops and was named a “Jedi Pimp” by the military crew and staff aboard the USS Constellation.” He was also involved in a number of charities, many of which were associated with children and cancer. Lester was very close with his mother, who passed away from Ovarian cancer, and spent a majority of his time volunteering for organizations in her honor.
The Georgia native was the son of a truck driver and artist. His first on-screen role was a Formula 409 commercial. According to Entertainment Weekly, he was working on a coming-of-age movie entitled Racing Legacy in his final days.
