- Ron White
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For other uses, see Ron White (disambiguation).
Ron White 
Comedian Ron WhiteBirth name Ronald White Born December 18, 1956
Fritch, Texas, U.S.Medium Stand-up Nationality American Years active 1987–present Genres Country comedy, observational comedy, satire Influences Jeff Foxworthy, George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Sam Kinison, Cheech & Chong Spouse Lori Brice (1991-1999) 1 child
Barbara Dobbs (2004-2008)
Margo Rey (?-present)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 TourWebsite http://www.tatersalad.com Grammy Awards “Comedy” for You Can't Fix Stupid (Nominee) (Best Comedy Album) Ronald "Ron" White (born December 18, 1956) is an American stand up comedian and satirist 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 authored the book I Had the Right to Remain Silent But I Didn't Have the Ability (Dutton 2006, ISBN 978-0525949619), which appeared on the New York Times best seller list. White is well-known for his famous punchline, "...You can't fix stupid."[2]
Contents
Early life
Ron White was born in Fritch, Texas on December 18, 1956.[3] Not much is known about Ron White's childhood. He has mentioned in a few shows that he lived with his grandmother and that he has a brother and a sister. He served in the United States Navy where he was given the nickname "Tater Salad" by fellow sailors who teased White for his love of potato salad.[4] White is an avid fisherman and 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 Nissan truck and selling windows to help make ends meet.[5] He has been rumored to have also pursued a career as a bronco rider for several years in the early 80's, however, responding to a question by Dana Strode on July 28, 2011 at the Coeur d'Alene Casino at Worley, Idaho, White said he has never ridden a bronco. White lived in Mexico for a brief period and bought a pottery factory there before returning to America to pursue comedy. White included stories from his youth in his book I Had the Right to Remain Silent But I Didn't Have the Ability. White's comedy revolves around observations and personal experiences retold in his smoking, drinking, Southern United States persona.[6]
Career
Ron White found success during January 2000 through March 2003, when he 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.[7] 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, a 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, the films Sex and the City 2 and Horrible Bosses, and a cameo in a Rascal Flatts music video, "Why Wait".[8]
White is best known for and drinking Scotch as 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!"[9] In 2009 Comedy Central released Ron's stand up DVD Behavioral Problems.
Personal life
White has been married three times. He married his first wife, Lori Brice in 1991. They divorced in 1999. They have a son, Marshall (who White nicknames Tater Tot in his comedy shows). In June 2004, he married Barbara Dobbs, who was Jeff Foxworthy's interior designer; they divorced in 2008.[10] He is currently married to singer-songwriter Margo Rey, sister of his frequent touring opener, Alex Reymundo.
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.[11]
Marijuana arrest
On September 7, 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 pilot who had been recently fired by White.[12] White had allegedly been involved in an altercation with the flight crew on his private plane involving his use of marijuana during flights.[13] White was found to be in possession of 7/8 of a gram of marijuana.[14] He was reportedly very cooperative with Florida police.[15] Ron White has a valid medicinal marijuana license from California.[16]
Awards/Recognition
April 27, 2009 was designated as "Ron White Day" in the State of Texas by Texas legislative officials.[17] White received the Armed Forces Foundation's "Patriot Award" in March 2009 for his work in raising money to help wounded soldiers.[18] White also held benefit shows for Hurricane Katrina relief.[19]
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
- Drunk in Public
- They Call Me "Tater Salad"
- You Can't Fix Stupid
- Ron White: Behavioral Problems
He has appeared on the following compilation albums:
- Redneck Comedy Roundup (2005)
- Comedy Central Presents Southern Gents of Comedy (2006)
- Ron White, Jeff Foxworthy & Bill Engvall: Live from Las Vegas (2004)
- Redneck Kings of Comedy (2005)
Discography
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
(sales threshold)US Comedy US Country US US Heat Tater Salad aka. Busted in Des Moines - Release date: 1990
- Label: Laughing Hyena
— — — — Truckstop Comedy - Release date: 1994
- Label: Laughing Hyena
— — — — Drunk in Public - Release date: November 3, 2003
- Label: Hip-O Records
2 11 83 2 - US: Gold
You Can't Fix Stupid - Release date: February 7, 2006
- Label: Image Entertainment
1 2 14 — Behavioral Problems - Release date: April 21, 2009
- Label: Capitol Records
1 13 51 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart References
- ^ "RIAA: Ron White". http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?table=SEARCH_RESULTS.
- ^ "Memorable quotes for Ron White: You Can't FIx Stupid". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0811045/quotes.
- ^ "Ron White- Profile". http://comedians.about.com/od/comediansmz/p/ronwhite.htm.
- ^ "IMDB Ron White: Biography". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1247387/bio.
- ^ "Tater Salad Story". http://www.tatersalad.com/#story.
- ^ "Wikipedia: Blue Collar Comedy Tour". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Collar_Comedy_Tour.
- ^ "Ron White- Profile". http://comedians.about.com/od/comediansmz/p/ronwhite.htm.
- ^ "IMDB Ron White". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1247387/.
- ^ "Ron White – Scotch Whisky". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBakSHttTGU.
- ^ "Biography for Ron White". http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1247387/bio.
- ^ "Comedian Ron White and Acclaimed Music Producer Michael Blakey Partner to Form Organica Music Group". http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Comedian-Ron-White-Acclaimed-Music-Producer-Michael-Blakey-Partner-Form-Organica-Music-1267639.htm.
- ^ "Comedian Ron White says disgruntled former employee tipped police off to drugs". http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/sep/15/comedian-ron-white-says-disgruntled-former-employe/.
- ^ http://www.accessatlanta.com/entertainment/content/entertainment/stories/2008/09/11/ron_white_drug_charges.html
- ^ http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/sep/10/blue-collar-comedy-tours-ron-white-arrested-vero-b/
- ^ "Blue Collar Comedy’s Ron White Arrested in Fla.". http://wcbstv.com/entertainment/Ron.White.Drugs.2.815041.html.
- ^ "Ron White Speaks Out About Medical Marijuana Arrest- 4 part Interview". http://www.cannabisfreedom.com/ron-white-speaks-out-medical-marijuana-arrest/.
- ^ "State of Texas Honors Comedian Ron White". http://www.stagetimemag.com/standup/?p=2341.
- ^ "The Armed Forces Foundation Honors Ron White at Annual Congressional Gala". http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices/11757732-1.html.
- ^ "Austin Hurricane Relief". http://www.austintexas.org/newsletter/Sept05/index.html.
External links
- Ron White's official site
- Ron White at the Internet Movie Database
- Ron White on Myspace
- Organica Music Group, Ron White and Michael Blakey's record label
Blue Collar Comedy Jeff Foxworthy · Larry the Cable Guy · Bill Engvall · Ron White · Reno Collier · Juston McKinney · Jamie Kaler · John CaparuloBlue Collar Comedy Tour · Blue Collar Comedy Tour: The Movie · Blue Collar Comedy Tour Rides Again · Blue Collar Comedy Tour: One for the RoadCategories:- 1956 births
- Living people
- American stand-up comedians
- People from Hutchinson County, Texas
- Capitol Records artists
- United States Navy personnel
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