Three Main Actors from 1999's 'Varsity Blues' Have Passed Away

The high school football movie also starred Paul Walker and Ron Lester, who died in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The 1999 film Varsity Blues, which told the story of a high school football team in Texas, has seen tragedy strike its ensemble cast over the past 27 years. James Van Der Beek, who played the lead role of Mox, recently passed away from colorectal cancer at the age of 48. He joins co-stars Paul Walker and Ron Lester, who died in 2013 and 2016 respectively. The movie also featured child actor Joe Pichler, whose disappearance at age 18 has never been solved.

Why it matters

Varsity Blues was a modest box office success but became a cult favorite, and the untimely deaths of its three main actors have saddened fans of the film. The tragedies highlight the challenges that young actors can face in Hollywood, and the movie's enduring popularity speaks to its ability to resonate with audiences even decades later.

The details

In 1999, Varsity Blues told the story of a high school football team in Texas that tries to grapple with their football-obsessed culture, strict coach, and growing into adulthood. The film starred James Van Der Beek as the backup quarterback Mox, Paul Walker as the original team captain Lance Harbor, and Ron Lester as the offensive guard Billy Bob. The movie also featured child actor Joe Pichler, who played Mox's younger brother. Since the film's release, the ensemble cast has faced numerous tragedies. In 2006, Pichler went missing at 18 years old, and his disappearance remains unsolved. Then in 2013, Walker died in a car crash at age 40, and in 2016, Lester died at age 45 due to liver and kidney failure. Most recently, on February 11, 2026, Van Der Beek passed away after suffering from colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.

  • In 2006, Joe Pichler, who played the younger brother of James Van Der Beek's Mox, went missing at 18 years old.
  • In 2013, Paul Walker, who played the team's original captain Lance Harbor, died in a car crash at age 40.
  • In 2016, Ron Lester, who played offensive guard Billy Bob, died at age 45 due to liver and kidney failure.
  • On February 11, 2026, James Van Der Beek died after suffering from colorectal cancer. He was 48 years old.

The players

James Van Der Beek

An actor who played the lead role of Mox in the 1999 film Varsity Blues. He passed away in 2026 at the age of 48 after suffering from colorectal cancer.

Paul Walker

An actor who played the role of the team's original captain Lance Harbor in Varsity Blues. He died in a car crash in 2013 at the age of 40.

Ron Lester

An actor who played the role of offensive guard Billy Bob in Varsity Blues. He died in 2016 at the age of 45 due to liver and kidney failure.

Joe Pichler

A child actor who played the younger brother of James Van Der Beek's character Mox in Varsity Blues. He went missing in 2006 at the age of 18, and his disappearance has never been solved.

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What they’re saying

“If there's something [Mox] wants, he generally goes out and gets it. It's fun to tap into that part of my personality.”

— James Van Der Beek (TEEN PEOPLE)

“Who hasn't dreamt about being a star player in virtually every sport, you know? Here I was, I had the opportunity to play in front of thousands upon thousands of screaming fans, and I was the quarterback on top of it, you know?”

— Paul Walker (Entertainment Tonight)

“During Varsity Blues, I was running in 118° heat and taking hits. That I didn't die is amazing.”

— Ron Lester (PEOPLE)

The takeaway

The tragic deaths of the three main actors from Varsity Blues serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges and risks that young actors in Hollywood can face. Despite the film's cult status, the loss of these talented performers at such young ages is a profound tragedy that has deeply impacted their fans and the entertainment community.