Actor Ron Lester Dies; Starred In 'Varsity Blues'

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Actor Ron Lester has died, after battling liver and kidney illness.

Lester was 45. He died Friday.

The actor is remembered for his role as the brash character Billy Bob, in the 1999 movie "Varsity Blues."

Lester's Agent, Dave Bradley, said Lester had been hospitalized for at least the past four months.

He was being treated for liver and kidney problems.

Lester was removed from a ventilator and died Friday.

According to TMZ, Lester's fiance was by his side when he passed away in a Texas hospital, after requesting to be taken off life support.

He had publicly announced his health problems last year, and told a sports publication he had once weighed more than 500 pounds.

Lester said he'd had gastric bypass surgery and lost more than half his body weight.

Acting roles, said Lester, were harder to come by after he slimmed down.

Lester was from Georgia.

His other film roles included "Not Another Teen Movie" and "Good Burger."

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