American comedian and radio producer and personality, better known by his on-air name Fez Marie Whatley, who gained prominence as the co-host of The Ron and Fez Show with Ron Bennington from 1998 to 2015.
Whatley originally became well known after becoming a producer and contributor for the popular syndicated radio program The Ron and Ron Show. The show disbanded after being cancelled for low ratings following the departure of Ron Diaz. Whatley then teamed up with Ron Bennington to create The Ron and Fez Show on a small Daytona Beach radio station (WKRO). The duo subsequently created a show titled Ron and Fez Dot Com as they moved to overnights on WNEW in New York City.
On 24 February 2012, Whatley came out as gay. He had been playing a flamboyant character on the air for more than 20 years, but became increasingly uncomfortable in the role after recognizing his sexual orientation and being unable to publicly embrace it. After admitting his sexuality to his co-host Ron Bennington three years earlier, Whatley spoke openly on the air about his issues as a closeted man, but had remained unable to say it explicitly. He chose to come out on the one-year anniversary of his father’s death. In 2012, Whatley participated in the New York LGBT Pride March.
From November 2005 to March 2021, Whatley survived six heart attacks and had 13 stents inserted. Whatley died of heart failure at age 57 on 13 August 2021.
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