Ron Lester, ‘Varsity Blues’ Actor, Dies at 45

Still working: Lester, right, is pictured with his Varsity Blues co-stars Van Der Beek and Swinton in 2014.

Ron Lester passes away peacefully at a Dallas hospital at the age of 45 after the actor who played Billy Bob on Varsity Blues suffered from liver and kidney failure.

Dave Bradley, Lester’s agent, confirmed to ET that the actor died at 8:57 p.m. local time in Dallas, his fiancée, Jennifer Worland was with him at the time of his death.

Lester was removed from a ventilator and died Friday. “There were times, like in those scenes where he was chewing me out, I allowed the emotion to come out, because it was real”. “Billy Bob as a character was such a sensitive soul”.

Lester went on to star in the WB series Popular for two seasons.

Lester was born in Kennesaw, Georgia, and rose to fame in his role as Spatch in 1997’s “Good Burger”, starring Kel Mitchell, Kenan Thompson and Abe Vigoda.

Back at the beginning of 2000, Lester weighted around 500 pounds, and underwent gastric bypass surgery and lost 348 pounds, and had 18 plastic surgeries to remove excess skin. It was a decision that seemingly damaged Lester’s acting career and one that he regretted. I don’t care. Let’s just be realistic: I filled a niche.

“The difference is that I am no longer the “funny fat guy, ‘” Lester said”. Let us know your take in the comments section below.