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Ron White

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For other uses, see Ron White (disambiguation).
Ron White
Ron White in 2006
Birth nameRon White
Born (1956-12-18) December 18, 1956 (age 67)
Fritch, Texas, U.S.
Mediumstand-up
GenresCountry Comedy, Observational Comedy, satire
Notable works and rolesRon White: You Can't Fix Stupid
Ron White: They Call Me Tater Salad
Ron White: Behavioral Problems
Blue Collar Comedy Tour
Websitehttp://www.tatersalad.com

Ronald "Ron" White (born December 18, 1956) is an 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. [1] 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. [2] White is well-known for his famous punchline, "...You can't fix stupid."[3]

Biography

Ron White was born in Fritch, Texas and his father worked at the local oil refinery.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7]

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.[8] White is the only member of the Blue Collar crew who did not 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.[9]

White is best known for 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!" [10]

He married his first wife, Lori Brice in 1981. They divorced in 1993. They have a son, Marshall, born July 19, 1990. In June 2004, he married Barbara (Dobbs), they divorced in 2008.[11] He currently is engaged to singer-songwriter Margo Rey.

Currently, Ron White has partnered with producer Michael Blakey to form Organica Music Group (distributed by Universal Music Group), a label that will promote both emerging and established musicians and comedians. He will be releasing all his future DVDs and CDs through Organica Music Group.[12]

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.[13] 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.[14] White was found to be in possession of 7/8 of a gram of marijuana.[15] He was reportedly very cooperative with Florida police.[16] Ron White has a valid medicinal marijuana license from California.[17]

Awards/Recognition

Comedian Ron White

April 27, 2009 was recognized as “Ron White Day” in the State of Texas, by Texas legislative officials.[18] Ron White received the Armed Forces Foundation’s “Patriot Award” in March of 2009 for his work in raising money to help wounded soldiers.[19] White also held benefit shows for Hurricane Katrina relief.[20]

Comedy releases

File:Ron White 5.jpg
Ron White smoking his signature cigar

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:

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

References

  1. ^ "RIAA: Ron White".
  2. ^ "Ron "tater salad" White Book".
  3. ^ "Memorable quotes for Ron White: You Can't FIx Stupid".
  4. ^ "Ron White- Profile".
  5. ^ "IMDB Ron White: Biography".
  6. ^ "Tater Salad Story".
  7. ^ "Wikipedia: Blue Collar Comedy Tour".
  8. ^ "Ron White- Profile".
  9. ^ "IMDB Ron White".
  10. ^ "Ron White – Scotch Whisky".
  11. ^ "Biography for Ron White".
  12. ^ "Comedian Ron White and Acclaimed Music Producer Michael Blakey Partner to Form Organica Music Group".
  13. ^ "Comedian Ron White says disgruntled former employee tipped police off to drugs".
  14. ^ http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/entertainment/stories/2008/09/11/ron_white_drug_charges.html
  15. ^ http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/sep/10/blue-collar-comedy-tours-ron-white-arrested-vero-b/
  16. ^ "Blue Collar Comedy's Ron White Arrested in Fla".
  17. ^ "Ron White Speaks Out About Medical Marijuana Arrest- 4 part Interview".
  18. ^ "State of Texas Honors Comedian Ron White".
  19. ^ "The Armed Forces Foundation Honors Ron White at Annual Congressional Gala".
  20. ^ "Austin Hurricane Relief".
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