Elena Rossi
Bob Ross, the creator and host of the hit TV show The Joy of Painting, had a son named Steve Ross who appeared on the show several times. Steve Ross was a talented painter and a Ross-certified instructor who shared his father's passion for art and nature. After Bob Ross's death in 1995, Steve disappeared from the public eye for years, struggling with depression and legal battles over his father's legacy. However, in recent years, Steve has re-emerged as an artist and has been teaching workshops and giving demonstrations, reconnecting with fans and finding success in his own right.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Stephen Ross |
| Nickname | Steve |
| Birthdate | August 1, 1966 |
| Father | Bob Ross |
| Mother | Vivian Ridge |
| Appearances on The Joy of Painting | 13 |
| First Appearance on The Joy of Painting | Season 1, Episode 1 |
| Last Appearance on The Joy of Painting | Season 3, Episode 1 |
| Occupation | Painter, Instructor |
| Legal Battles | Lost a lawsuit against Bob Ross Inc. in 2018 |
| Recent Developments | Returned to painting and teaching |
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What You'll Learn
Steve Ross was a frequent guest on the show
Steve Ross, the son of Bob Ross, was a frequent guest on "The Joy of Painting". Steve was born on August 1, 1966, to Bob Ross and his first wife, Vivian Ridge. Bob and Vivian separated in 1977, after which Bob took sole custody of Steve. Steve's first appearance on the show was in the final episode of the first season, where he read out a series of general "how-to" questions sent in by viewers, while his father answered them and painted an entire picture. Steve went on to make eleven more appearances as a guest painter on the show, over just as many seasons.
Steve also became a Ross-certified instructor and travelled across the country to teach his father's techniques and secrets. Steve's life was relatively uneventful after his father's death in 1995, but he recently gained fame online after posting a Reddit video. Steve also appeared in the Netflix documentary about his father, titled "Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed", where he spoke about what he saw as a betrayal of his father's legacy. Steve also sued Bob Ross Inc. (BRI) in 2018, but he lost the lawsuit. However, he was able to move forward and build a business using his name, after which he said he felt energised. Steve now hosts workshops and demonstrations and continues to work as an artist.
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He became a Ross-certified instructor
Bob Ross's son, Robert Stephen "Steve" Ross, was a frequent guest on "The Joy of Painting". He made his first appearance in the final episode of the first season, where he read out questions sent in by viewers, while his father painted the answers. Steve went on to make 11 more appearances as a guest painter on the show.
Steve was a talented painter, and his father's biggest fan. Bob Ross was also very proud of his son, and it was always his wish that Steve would succeed him. Steve did become a Ross-certified instructor, and travelled the country to teach his father's techniques. He also joined his father's company, and it was expected that he would take over the reins of the Bob Ross company. However, after his father's death, Steve vanished from the public eye for years. He fell into a deep depression and stopped painting.
Steve's life changed after his father's death, and he was not able to continue his work as a painter or an instructor. Bob Ross Inc. (BRI) had gained the rights to the Ross name, brand, and paintings, and Steve was forbidden from using the family name in any painting- or art-related business. This caused a bitter dispute between Steve and BRI, which he ultimately lost in 2018. However, a settlement was reached, and Steve was eventually able to resume his career as an artist and instructor.
Steve has since returned to painting and teaching, and has received an outpouring of support from fans. He now hosts workshops and demonstrations, and has appeared in documentaries about his father's life and legacy.
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Steve's father, Bob Ross, died in 1995
Steve Ross, the son of Bob Ross, was born on August 1, 1966, to Bob and his first wife, Vivian Ridge. Steve occasionally appeared on his father's TV show, "The Joy of Painting", and was a certified Bob Ross instructor. Steve made his debut on the show during the final episode of the first season, where he read out questions sent in by viewers, while his father painted the answers to them. Steve also travelled the country, teaching his father's painting techniques to large audiences.
Bob Ross died in 1995, two months after his third marriage to Lynda Brown, following a brief battle with cancer. After his father's death, Steve went into a reclusive state and suffered from depression, losing the energy to paint. Steve also had to fight legal battles over his father's legacy. Bob had left the rights to his name and likeness to Steve and his half-brother, Jimmie Cox, in his will. However, Annette and Walt Kowalski, who had founded Bob Ross Inc. with Bob and his second wife, Jane, counter-sued and eventually gained full control over the company and all rights to Bob's name, money, and work.
Steve's life remained relatively uneventful until he re-emerged from his reclusive state in 2019, almost a quarter of a century after his father's death, to publicly stand in front of an easel again. Steve organised a painting workshop with fellow certified Bob Ross instructor and lifelong friend, Dana Jester, in Winchester, Indiana. Since then, Steve has held more classes in Tennessee and Colorado, carrying on his father's legacy.
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Steve suffered from depression after his father's death
Steve Ross, the son of Bob Ross, appeared alongside his father on The Joy of Painting. Steve was a talented painter, and a certified instructor of his father's painting techniques. He appeared on camera in the last episode of Season 1, where he read out questions from viewers, while his father painted the answers.
Steve's life was marked by tragedy. His mother died when he was young, and he was raised by his father, who worked as a drill sergeant in the US Air Force. Steve and his father channelled their grief into painting, which became a lifelong passion for both of them.
In 1995, Steve's father, Bob, was diagnosed with lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Bob died within a few months, and Steve returned to Florida to be with his father during his final days. Bob Ross's death affected Steve deeply, and he sank into a severe depression. He lost the energy to paint and wanted to give up. Steve also had to deal with legal battles over his father's legacy, which further exacerbated his struggles.
Steve's depression lasted for several years. Eventually, he was able to heal and resume his art career. In a settlement, Steve was granted the right to use his name and likeness in his artwork without the threat of a lawsuit. This agreement allowed Steve to publicly display his artwork and continue his father's legacy. Steve Ross is now recognised as a talented painter in his own right, and he continues to carry on the artistic traditions established by his father.
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Steve is now back to painting and teaching
Steve Ross, son of Bob Ross, is back to painting and teaching. Steve, who had been painting for as long as he could remember, was a regular guest on his father's show, "The Joy of Painting". He made his first appearance in the final episode of the first season, where he read out questions sent in by viewers, while his father painted the answers. Steve went on to make 11 more appearances as a guest painter on the show.
Steve inherited his father's love for painting and nature, as well as his soothing voice. He also followed in his father's footsteps as a landscape painter and oil painting instructor, becoming a Ross-certified instructor himself. He toured and gave lessons as a Certified Bob Ross Instructor (CRI), spreading the Joy of Painting throughout the States.
After Bob Ross' death in 1995, Steve went through a difficult time. He battled depression and struggled to paint and teach. He also faced a contentious legal battle with Bob Ross Inc. (BRI) over the rights to his father's name and likeness. Steve lost the lawsuit in 2018, but a subsequent settlement allowed him to move forward and build a business using his name.
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Frequently asked questions
Steve Ross is the son of Bob Ross, the host of Joy of Painting. Steve occasionally appeared on the show and was a Ross-certified instructor.
Steve suffered from depression and stopped painting. He also got embroiled in a legal battle with Bob Ross Inc. over the rights to his father's name and likeness.
No, he lost the lawsuit in 2018. However, he was able to reach a settlement that allowed him to build a business using his name.
: Steve is back to painting and teaching. He hosts workshops and demonstrations and has also appeared in documentaries about his father.
