RIP The Guy From Varsity Blues

When we’re laughing at the fat hapless slob in the teen comedies we should admit the guy has a legitimate medical condition. That’s not to say we should abandon the archetype. By that logic we wouldn’t be watching football or pornography. Some people have to die for our sins. Such is the fate of Ron Lester who played the fat lovable loser Billy Bob in Varsity Blues, sweating and wheezing through each hilarious scene. Lester topped out at 500 pounds. Movie stars get a lot of sketchy pussy and rest assured some Russian chick was able to brave the fat rolls. 45 isn’t a bad run. Best case scenario was early sixties. 

Lester got lap band surgery and shrunk down to a respectable weight, insuring that Hollywood would turn its back on him. His fortitude is evident in that he didn’t regress to eating stuffed crust to score a speaking roll in the next Will Ferrell flick. You’re dammed if you do, dammed if you don’t. Lester played it just right. He’s the Marshawn Lynch of the acting world. Get in, suffer through the damage, and get out while you can still enjoy the money. If you thought Jesus was impressive, you never knew Ron Lester. 

_{Photo credit: SplashNews}