Ron Lester, who portrayed Billy Bob in ‘Varsity Blues,' dies

DALLAS – Actor Ron Lester, who was perhaps best known playing the loud, oversized lineman Billy Bob in the 1999 film “Varsity Blues,” has died of organ failure. He was 45.

His agent, Dave Bradley, confirmed Saturday that Lester had been hospitalized since February due to liver and kidney complications.

He says Lester was removed from a ventilator and died Friday.

The actor last year announced that he was being treated for liver and kidney ailments.

Lester, a Georgia native, told the now-defunct online sports publication Grantland in 2014 that he once weighed more than 500 lbs. before undergoing gastric bypass surgery and shedding some 300 lbs.

He said acting opportunities dropped after he dropped the weight.

His other film credits include roles in “Not Another Teen Movie” and “Good Burger.”

This story was originally published June 18, 2016 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Ron Lester, who portrayed Billy Bob in ‘Varsity Blues,' dies."