Ron Lester, 'Varsity Blues' actor, dies at 45

Actor Ron Lester, known for his role in Varsity Blues as Billy Bob, has died. He was 45.

His agent Dave Bradley reported the news on Friday night on his Facebook page. Earlier in the night, he thanked the actor's fans for their kind words after Lester was taken to the hospital in critical condition. "He was not in any pain and passed away peacefully," Bradley later wrote.

TMZ reported that Lester had been hospitalized last fall due to liver problems, and was taken to hospice care in Dallas on Friday night.

At about 7 p.m. PT, Bradley wrote that "he is breathing on his own, but has been given medicine that takes care of any pain he may be feeling. Ron's Fiancee is by his side as well as close family and friends. I will do my best to answer your questions and to return your phone calls. Thank you for your continued support. I will post an update as soon as there is any status changes."

After his breakout roles in Good Burger and Varsity Blues, Lester went on to appear in TV series including Popular and Freaks and Geeks, and later the film Not Another Teen Movie, playing a parody version of his character Billy Bob, this time named Reggie Ray.

See Bradley's full Facebook post below.