Ron White

For other uses, see Ron White (disambiguation).

Ron White
File:RonWhite 1.jpg Ron White in 2010
Birth name	Ron Dee White
Born	(1956-12-18) December 18, 1956 Fritch, Texas, U.S.
Medium	stand-up
Genres	Country Comedy, Observational Comedy, satire
Notable works and roles	Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid Ron White: They Call Me Tater Salad Ron White: Behavioral Problems Blue Collar Comedy Tour
Website	http://www.tatersalad.com

Ron White (born December 18, 1956) is a American stand-up comedian from Texas who has had two Grammy Award-nominations, and is RIAA certified 10x Platinum for CD and DVD sales of over 10 million units. He is a charter member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and has written the book “I Had the Right to Remain Silent…But I Didn’t Have the Ability” which appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List.

Biography

Ron White was born in Fritch, Texas and his father worked at the local oil refinery. He joined the U.S. Navy which is where he was given the nickname “Tater Salad” by one of his fellow Navy men who teased White for his love of potato salad. White is an avid fisherman as has always loved fishing as a hobby but from an early age his dream was to become a comedian. When he returned from the Navy, White struggled financially for years as he pursued this dream, going from gig to gig in a beat up truck and selling windows to help make ends meet. White included stories from his youth in his book I Had the Right to Remain Silent… But I Didn't Have the Ability (Dutton 2006, ISBN 978-0525949619). Ron White’s comedy revolves around observations and personal experiences retold in his smoking, drinking Southern United States persona.

Ron White found success during January 2000 through March 2003, when he performed with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy as part of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour – a show that sold out across the United States in over 90 cities and grossed over $15 million dollars. White is the only member of the Blue Collar crew not to go on to star in the Blue Collar TV series because he did not want to be typecast as "blue collar," although he jokes in his performances that he simply does not have “the work ethic for a television show”. He did, however, make seven guest appearances on the show. In 2005, The WB Television Network aired the pilot for The Ron White Show, an ill-fated variety show that combined a number of celebrity cameos, cartoons, and sketches. He recently taped several episodes of The Gong Show with Dave Attell as one of the celebrity judges. White has had appearances in the TV shows Kath & Kim, Reno 911!, 12 Miles of Bad Road, and the film Sex and the City 2.

White is best known for his smoking cigars and drinking scotch which are now recognized as a part of his act. He stated during his You Can't Fix Stupid show, "Somebody asked what I was drinking; if the company that made the stuff I was drinking was paying me, I'd have it in their bottle and not mine. But it's the kind of scotch that people drink that are going to die penniless. It's good though!"

He married his first wife, Lori Brice in 1981. They divorced in 1993. They have a son, Marshall, born July 19, 1990. In 1999 he married a woman named Barbra (they were divorced in 2003), only to marry another Barbara (Dobbs) in June of 2004, whom he divorced in 2008. He currently is engaged to singer-songwriter Margo Rey.

Currently, Ron White has partnered with Producer Michael Blakey to form Organica Music Group, a label that will promote both emerging and established musicians and comedians. He plans to release his future DVDs and CDs through Organica Music Group.

Marijuana arrest

On September 10, 2008, White was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia after an anonymous tip informed Vero Beach, Florida police that White’s private plane would be carrying narcotics. This tip likely came from a disgruntled private jet pilot who had been recently fired by White. White had allegedly been involved in an altercation with his flight crew on his private plane involving his use of marijuana on board during flights. White was found to be in possession of 7/8 of a gram of marijuana. He was reportedly very cooperative with Florida police. Ron White has a valid medicinal marijuana license from California.

Awards/Recognition

April 27, 2009 was recognized as “Ron White Day” in the State of Texas, by Texas legislative officials. Ron White received The Armed Forces Foundation’s “Patriot Award” in March of 2009 for his work in raising money to help wounded soldiers. White also held benefit shows for Hurricane Katrina relief.

Quotable Quotes

“I didn't get where I am today by worryin' about how I'd feel tomorrow.”

“I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade... And try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party.”

“I do live like a rock star, but it's not as great as it sounds. It's a lot of traveling.”

“People are saying that I'm an alcoholic, and that's not true, because I only drink when I work, and I'm a workaholic.”

“There were years when I was a beer and tequila guy, then I got real fat. And then I found that you could actually go on a diet and drink scotch. Then I got hooked on scotch, and if you get hooked on scotch, then everything else just tastes wrong.”

“You wanna get the truth out of me, get me hammered.”

“I was considered by my peers to be a good comedian. So that's all I ever strived to do was get some recognition from my peers.”

“I've never been one to look up the ladder. I've always looked down the ladder. As long as there's one guy down there, I'm fine.”

“Anybody could say anything they want about me, and it literally never penetrates my skin.”

“But I work harder now because I have so much more exposure. And actually the harder you work as a writer, the better you get at it. It's like anything else. It's a muscle you have to exercise. I write more now than ever.”

“Diamonds - that'll shut her up... for a minute!”

“I'd rather do a really good small part than a really bad big part.”

“I had the right to remain silent... but I didn't have the ability.”

Comedy releases

Besides the Blue Collar Comedy Tour CDs and movies, White has released five solo projects to date:

• Tater Salad aka. Busted in Des Moines: 1990 audio CD, recording of an early stand-up gig.
• Drunk in Public: 2003 audio CD, solo stand-up.
• They Call Me "Tater Salad"
• You Can't Fix Stupid
• Ron White: Behavioral Problems: Worldwide release date on television: April 19, 2009

He has appeared on the following compilation albums:

• Redneck Comedy Roundup: 2005 release on DVD, also starring Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall, and Blake Clark.
• Comedy Central Presents Southern Gents of Comedy: 2006 release on DVD, also starring Otis Lee Crenshaw, Vic Henley, and Steve McGrew.
• Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy & Bill Engvall: Live from Las Vegas: 2004 release on DVD.
• Redneck Kings of Comedy: 2005 Release of DVD, also starring Jeff Foxworthy, and Larry the Cable Guy.

Discography

Year	Album	Peak chart positions				RIAA
		US Country	US	US Comedy	US Heat
1990	Tater Salad aka. Busted in Des Moines	—	—	—	—	—
2003	Drunk in Public	11	83	2	2	Gold
2006	You Can't Fix Stupid	2	14	1	—	—
2009	Behavioral Problems	13	51	1	—	—
"—" denotes the album failed to chart, not released, or not certified

External links

• Ron White's official site
• Template:Myspace