James Van Der Beek Mourns Co-Star Ron Lester After Death: Read His Touching Tweet

Earlier today, we received the sad news that Varsity Blues star Ron Lester had died in a Dallas hospital.

He was just 45 years old.

Lester was best known for his turn as the loveable offensive linesman “Billy Bob” in the 90s football film, also starring James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek took to Twitter today to honor his late friend.

“Sad day… #RonLester was a sensitive soul with a huge heart,” he wrote. “Everything you loved about Billy Bob was authentically Ron. #RIP bud.”  

“I’ll never forget how committed #RonLester was on every take – even when the camera wasn’t on him… #giving #rare,” he added in a second tweet.

Below is a photo of Lester and Van Der Beek along with Varsity Blues cast mates Scott Caan, Jon Voight, Eliel Swinton and the late Paul Walker.

Lester had been in declining health of late, experiencing problems with his liver, kidneys and heart.

He had been in the hospital for four months before his passing.

Lester’s agent, Dave Bradley, announced that the actor had been taken off life support Friday and died peacefully.

Known in part for his size, Lester had at one point topped more than 500 pounds, but lost 350 after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 2001.

Lester also had memorable roles in Not Yet Another Teen Movie, Freaks and Geeks and Popular.

He will be missed.

View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2016: Gone, But Not Forgotten

Kylie Jenner Posts Touching Throwback of Rob Kardashian

Today marks what would have been the 72nd birthday of Robert Kardashian, Sr.

The Kardashian patriarch accomplished a great deal before succumbing to esophageal cancer in 2003, but obviously his most famous accomplishment is fathering four children who have launched a multi-media empire and become brands unto themselves.

Several members of Robert’s family paid tribute to him on social media today, including Kylie and Kendall Jenner – the children of his ex-wife’s second marriage, who were just grade schoolers when he passed.

Obviously, Kylie in particular would have very few memories of Robert, so perhaps that’s why she chose to take a more personal approach to honoring his memory by posting a photo that also features her brother, Robert, Jr.

“Rob is a spitting image of his dad. I love this pic,” Kylie captioned the above photo. “Happy Birthday Robert.”

The photo is meaningful not only because of the tribute to Robert, Sr., but it also because it serves to squash rumors that Kylie and Rob are feuding as a result of his relationship with her longtime rival Blac Chyna.

She’s not the only to one to Robert by way of the family he started so long ago.

Kim Kardashian posted the first public photo of her son, Saint West, in honor of her late father.

Vin Diesel Pays Touching Tribute to Paul Walker at the People"s Choice Awards

At last night"s 2016 People"s Choice Awards, Furious 7 took home two of the night"s top prizes, winning for both favorite movie and favorite action movie.

While the franchise is known for its eclectic ensemble cast, star and producer Vin Diesel took the stage by himself to accept the awards – but he wasn"t alone in spirit.

As you likely know, Diesel"s co-star and close friend Paul Walker was killed in a car accident in 2013, and given Walker"s crucial importance to the Furious films, Diesel"s acceptance speech wouldn"t have been complete without a tribute to his late friend.

"You know, as I was coming up here, I always do this. I say I"m not going to get emotional about winning these awards, and I was cool when I was sitting in my seat, and then they handed me two awards," Diesel told the crowd as he fought back tears.

"One for favorite action movie and one for favorite film. You all thought that this was your favorite film. I think of Dom and Brian and I start to think of Paul.

He closed his speech by crooning a few bars from Charlie Puth"s "See You Again," a song that"s come to be closely associated with Walker and his passing:

"I thank you so much and the only thing I can say now, "It"s been a long day without you, my friend, and I"ll tell you all about it when I see you again,"" Diesel said, the crowd roaring as he broke into song.

It was a moment that matched any awards show highlight in terms of pure emotion, and it was a tribute that fans of the franchise, as well family and friends of Paul Walker"s, will cherish for years to come.

Kylie Jenner Posts Touching Tribute to Lamar Odom on Instagram

It’s been almost two days Lamar Odom was found unconscious in a Nevada brothel, and sadly, the 35-year-old former NBA star has shown no signs of improvement.

Though they’ve reportedly assembled in Las Vegas to be by his side as he clings to life, the Kardashian-Jenner family has mostly remained quiet on the topic of Odom’s apparent overdose.

In fact, the family has taken to social media only to post brief words of affection for Khloe’s estranged husband.

Yesterday, Kendall Jenner paid tribute to Lamar with a tweet reading simply, “Please don’t go.”

Moments ago, Kylie Jenner followed suit by posting the photo below, along with a touching caption:

“Let’s dance again together soon,” Kylie wrote. “Prayers up for Lamar please.”

Though Khloe and Lamar separated in 2013, several members of the Kardashian clan have remained close to Odom. 

Lamar lost his mother at a young age and only recently reconciled with his heroin addict father, who abandoned his family while Lamar was still a child.

Kris Jenner quickly became a surrogate mother figure to Lamar, and he formed close relationships with several of Khloe’s siblings, particularly her brother, Rob Kardashian.

It was recently revealed that Khloe and Lamar might still be legally married, and she may be in the position of making important medical and legal decisions on behalf of her troubled ex. 

Whatever the case, the Kardashian-Jenners clearly still consider Lamar to be a part of the family.

View Slideshow: Khloe Kardashian & Lamar Odom: Romance Rewind … Then Unwind

Emmys 2015 In Memoriam: Watch The Touching Tribute

The hardest part of the Emmys every year is the moment we mourn everyone we’ve lost in the past year, and 2015 is no exception.

With stars like Joan Rivers and Leonard Nimoy passing, this has been a tough one.

Photos: All The Stars We Lost In 2015

Set to Somewhere Over The Rainbow, this In Memoriam segment is guaranteed to make you lose it.

Get your tissues handy, and watch (above)!

Bindi Irwin Pays A Touching Tribute To Her Father Steve Irwin In Her Upbeat Number For The Dancing With The Stars Premiere!

Get your tissues ready!

We had a feeling Bindi Irwin was going to make a splash when it was announced that she would be joining Dancing With The Stars this season. Recently she vowed to make her father Steve Irwin proud, and she did just that on Monday’s premiere of the reality TV show.

[ Related: DWTS Gets Scary As Derek Hough Meets Bindi’s Snake ]

She explained:

“My mum always said that anytime dad would watch me dance around the zoo he would cry. I think the real reason I am doing this is to make him proud and everyone back at home in Australia proud.

You know, I think everyone is going to see a whole new side to Bindi.”

What a beautiful sentiment about her father. We think the late TV host would’ve been incredibly proud of his daughter.

The 17-year-old performed a FIERCE, upbeat jive to her dad’s favorite song Crocodile Rock with her dance partner Derek Hough. LOVES it!

In regards to her song choice, she continued:

“I don’t know it just felt natural to get into the groove. My dad liked that song, my mum likes that song. We are taking it on and bringing the fight.”

AH-Mazing! After taking in one of the top scores of the night, we’re not shocked the Aussie celeb’s been labeled the “wonder from down under.” LOLz!

The starlet wasn’t only beaming on camera but online as well.

Later in the evening, Bindi took to Instagram and shared:

This experience. I am grateful beyond words for tonight. Thank you all and especially my life coach & dance partner 🐊 #TeamCrikeyA photo posted by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Sep 14, 2015 at 8:42pm PDT

Aww! We can’t be the only ones tearing up, right?!

Besides the controversial contestants like Paula Deen and Gary Busey, we’re excited to tune in and watch Miz Irwin to see what’s next for the environmental activist. We have a feeling this up-and-comer has what it takes to make it to the finals.

Oh, we hope so. Way to slay, girl!

On the other side of things, Chaka Khan and Kim Zolciak-Biermann ended up the bottom two scorers with just 13 and 12 points.

Be sure to ch-ch-check out Bindi and Derek’s full performance for yourself (below)!

[Image via ABC.]