The death of “Varsity Blues” and “Popular” star Ron Lester, who died Friday at age 45, has prompted a flood of tributes from his costars, with Leslie Bibb, Christopher Gorham and other colleagues sharing their grief and memories on social media.
Bibb, who played Brooke McQueen opposite Lester’s Michael “Sugar Daddy” Bernardino on the TV series “Popular” from 1999 to 2001, recalled, “Ron Lester was the sweetest, huggiest, kindest boy in the world…we will miss you ‘Sugar Daddy’!”
Added fellow “Popular” costar Carly Pope, “Heartache. For all who knew his bold and bright light, we are ever lucky. Shine on in peace, Star.”
Christopher Gorham, who played Harrison John on “Popular,” offered, “Rest in peace, old friend. I’m glad I knew you. Heartbroken for his fiancé, family and friends. #BigSugar #BigHeart.”
“Varsity Blues” director Brian Robbins remembered Lester as “the sweetest guy in the world.”
“So sad to hear the news about Ron Lester. He was the sweetest guy in the world. #RIPRonLester,” Robbins tweeted.
James Van Der Beek described him as “giving” and “rare,” and recalled how committed Lester was on the “Varsity Blues” set.
“Popular” star Sara Rue said that she was “deeply saddened” by Lester’s death.
“So deeply saddened to hear this,” Rue wrote. “He was such a kind soul. My heart breaks for his family.”
Lester died Friday of heart and liver failure, after being moved from a Dallas hospital to hospice care earlier in the day. He had long struggled with obesity and had been hospitalized for issues related to his kidney and liver for several months.
Read below for more tributes to Ron Lester.
https://twitter.com/vanderjames/status/744265232307064832
https://twitter.com/vanderjames/status/744266642536992768
#RonLester was the sweetest, huggiest, kindest boy in the world…we will miss you “Sugar Daddy”! #Popular https://t.co/HPPMnNyeC8
— Leslie Bibb (@mslesliebibb) June 18, 2016
Heartache. For all who knew his bold and bright light, we are ever lucky. Shine on in peace, Star #bigsug https://t.co/SlaC53H9jc
— Carly Pope (@Pope_Onarope) June 18, 2016
Rest in peace, old friend. I’m glad I knew you. Heartbroken for his fiancé, family and friends. #BigSugar #BigHeart https://t.co/eM7A5FClIq
— Christopher Gorham (@ChrisGorham) June 18, 2016
To my good buddy #RonLester you always made me smile brother. I was blessed to have known ya. May you rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/O4vtPlkNqr
— Bryce Johnson (@BryceOJohnson) June 18, 2016
I will remember Ron as the sweetest most loving guy who would hug you until you couldn’t breathe. Love to his family https://t.co/RqdE7PTH9O
— Leslie Grossman (@MissLeslieG) June 18, 2016
So sad to hear the news about Ron Lester. He was the sweetest guy in the world. #RIPRonLester
— Brian Robbins (@BrianRobbinsTV) June 18, 2016
So deeply saddened to hear this. He was such a kind soul. My heart breaks for his family. RT … https://t.co/8u5TaFmzwe
— Sara Rue (@SARARUEFORREAL) June 18, 2016
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ron Lester. My heart goes out to his family and all who loved him. You will be missed. RIP
— Tamara Mello (@Tamara_Mello) June 18, 2016