'Varsity Blues' Cast: James Van Der Beek's Co-Star Ron Lester, AKA Billy Bob, Died in 2016

Following James Van Der Beek's death at age 48, tragic attention returns to another Varsity Blues loss: Ron Lester, who played beloved offensive lineman Billy Bob, died in 2016 at just 45 years old. Lester passed away on June 17, 2016, from liver and kidney failure after months of hospitalization. His death came 15 years after gastric bypass surgery that helped him lose 300-plus pounds, but significantly impacted his acting career in the process.

"Am I alive? Yes. Am I happy? No," Lester told Grantland in 2014.