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Home R Ron White

Ronald "Tater Salad" White (born December 18, 1956) is an American stand up comedian 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]

Early life

Ron White was born in Fritch, Texas on December 18, 1956.[3] 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 also pursued a career as a bronco rider for several years in the early 80's. 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.

Career

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.[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 film Sex and the City 2, and a cameo in a Rascal Flats music video, "Why Wait".[8]

White is best known for smoking cigars 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]

Personal life

White has been married three times. He married his first wife, Lori Brice in 1980. They divorced in 1992. They have a son, Marshall, born July, 1990. In June 2004, he married Barbara Dobbs; they divorced in 2008.[10] He is currently married 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.[11]

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]