RON LESTER
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The self described “funny, fat guy” in memorable roles in Varsity Blues, Not Another Teen Movie and The WB series Popular, actor Ron Lester suddenly finds himself in unfamiliar territory. Ron Lester has shed over three hundred pounds with a new lease on life and career. Lester won raves as the hard-drinking Billy Bob, a gregarious linebacker who suffers greatly at the hands of his brutally demanding coach (Jon Voight) in Varsity Blues, in which he starred with James Van Der Beek. For his successful run as Sugar Daddy on The WB’s hit show Popular, Lester received two nominations in the “Best Side Kick” category at the Teen Choice Awards. In the feature spoof Not Another Teen Movie, he poked fun at his own breakout role in Varsity Blues. He next stars in Karate Dog alongside Jon Voight and Jamie Pressley as Voight’s power hungry, spoiled son. Scheduled to be released in the fall by Lions Gate Films, the comedy was shot pre weight loss so his jaunt down the red carpet is sure to be a surprise. His other feature credits include Dill Scallion with Jason Priestley, The Greenskeeper and Good Burger. He also had recurring roles on the television series All That, Freaks and Geeks, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He also appeared in a Warner Bros Internet Film titled Drum Solo. The self-described “Gucci country boy” is not new to big transitions. Originally from Kennesaw, Georgia (think “Deliverance”), Lester took advantage of the admittedly infrequent chances he had to perform on stage in school and church productions. Among those, his most special experience was writing and directing a show performed by a group of mentally challenged students. Soon after, he landed a spot as an extra in a Formula 409 commercial, in which he so impressed the director with his screen presence that he was offered a featured role in a music video for a local teen country music group called Little Texas. Buoyed by this early success, Lester moved to Hollywood to hone his natural talent as a stand-up comic. He made the rounds, becoming an audience favorite at clubs like The Laugh Factory, Melrose Improv, Punchline and The Ice House. His very first feature film audition won him the role of 'Spatch' in the comedy Good Burger and he’s never looked back. Friends and family are the actor’s leisure-time priority, but he also contributes time and energy to a number of charities associated with children. Lester is the spokesperson for the new International Childhood Obesity Education and Prevention program under the umbrella of Artists & Entertainers for Kids. He has completed several USO tours to Europe and the Middle East where he met with troops and was named a “Jedi Pimp” by the military staff aboard the USS Constellation. His hobbies include music (especially country, Sinatra and everything Robbie Williams), racing cars and bikes and building hot rods with his company “STITZ”, and rodeo / team roping. He has a far-flung reputation among other collectors as “the Jay Leno of model cars.” He is currently writing a book on his extraordinary weight loss journey. |