Ron Lester
| Ron Lester | |
|---|---|
 Lester in 2003 | |
| Born |
August 4, 1970 Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died |
June 17, 2016 (aged 45) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Liver and kidney failure |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1997–2016 |
Ron Lester (August 4, 1970 – June 17, 2016) was an American actor. He was best known for his roles in the films Varsity Blues, Not Another Teen Movie, Good Burger, and the television series Popular.
Life and career
Lester was born in Kennesaw, Georgia. His first acting role came when he went to Atlanta, Georgia, to appear as an extra in a commercial, which turned into a feature part. He appeared in a music video for the band Little Texas.
Lester moved to Los Angeles and began doing stand-up comedy in comedy clubs. His first film role was in the movie Good Burger in 1997. Two years later he had a recurring role on the TV comedy Freaks and Geeks. He also appeared in Not Another Teen Movie, which parodied his role in Varsity Blues.
In 2001, Lester underwent gastric bypass surgery, losing 348 pounds.[1] Obese since childhood, at his heaviest, he weighed 508 pounds.[1] According to interviews, he flatlined during the operation.[1] After the gastric bypass, he had 18 plastic surgeries to remove excess skin.[1]
In November 2015, Lester was hospitalized due to issues with his liver and kidneys. He was reported to be in critical condition in June 2016 and was in hospice care.[2]
Death
At 9 p.m. on June 17, 2016, Lester died of liver and kidney failure shortly after requesting that he be taken off life support. He was 45 years old.[3][4]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Good Burger | Spatch | Film debut |
| 1999 | Varsity Blues | Billy Bob #69 | His most famous role |
| 1999 | Dill Scallion | Earl Langston | |
| 2001 | Not Another Teen Movie | Reggie Ray | Spoof of his role as Billy Bob in Varsity Blues |
| 2002 | The Greenskeeper | Styles | |
| 2010 | The Fat Boy Chronicles | Dr. Jeffords | Also co-Executive Producer |
| 2015 | Racing Legacy | Roger Hardwick | Also Writer, Director and Executive Producer |
| 2017 | Bomb City | Coach Kaz | Filming, final role |
Short films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Drum Solo | ||
| 2013 | I Think My Mom's Trying to Kill Me | Son | Also Associate Producer |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Cousin Skeeter | Kung Fu Dermatologist | Episode: "Kung Fu Dermatologist" |
| 1999–2000 | Freaks and Geeks | Seidleman | Episodes: "Pilot", "Looks and Books", and "Noshing and Moshing" |
| 1999–2001 | Popular | Michael 'Sugar Daddy' Bernardino | 43 episodes |
| 2001 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Wally | Episodes: "Really Big Season Opener" (uncredited) and "Humble Pie" |
| 2005 | The Karate Dog | Edward Cage | TV movie |
| 2005 | CSI: NY | Officer Murphy | Episode: "Dancing with the Fishes" |
References
- 1 2 3 4 A 'Varsity Blues' Star's Dramatic Weight Loss ETOnline.com. May 2004. Accessed 19 July 2008.
- ↑ Varsity Blues actor Ron Lester in hospice care ETOnline.com. June 2016. Accessed 18 June 2016.
- ↑ Ron Lester, Varsity Blues star, dies at 45
- ↑ Siegel, Melissa (17 June 2016). "Ron Lester Dead at age 45". Hollywood Take. Retrieved 18 June 2016.