Bob Ross, beloved for his “Joy of Painting” show, captivated art students who often dressed as him, with Auburn wigs and sky-blue shirts, mimicking his calm demeanor. Known for transforming mistakes into “happy accidents,” Ross filmed entire seasons in just two days. Yet, behind the peaceful episodes lay personal struggles that deeply affected his life.
Born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, Ross grew up in Orlando, nurturing a love for animals. He dropped out of high school to work as a carpenter but lost part of his finger in an accident. Later, in 1961, he joined the Air Force, where his experiences in Alaska sparked his passion for landscape painting. This would eventually lead him to embrace the wet-on-wet technique, popularized by his mentor, William Alexander.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lUiTPn8kHs
Ross’s personal life was more tumultuous than his TV persona suggested. He was married three times, with his second marriage ending after his wife’s death in 1992. Despite his growing fame, his partnership with the Kowalskis, who co-founded Bob Ross Inc., turned sour. Ross’s declining health and eventual death in 1995 led to legal battles over his estate, with the Kowalskis ultimately gaining control of his name and likeness.
Today, Bob Ross’s legacy lives on through his countless paintings and the soothing, timeless appeal of “The Joy of Painting.” Yet, the darker aspects of his life and the aftermath of his death reveal a more complex story behind the iconic artist.