Steve Ross has greatly succeeded in his career and contributed significantly to the art community. Like his father, Steve Ross is an incredibly talented artist who has made a name for himself in the art world. While Bob Ross is a household name, few people know about his son’s incredible journey. This blog post will look at Steve Ross’s life and career, from his early beginnings to his rise to fame.
Steve Ross Early Life
Steve Ross was born on August 1, 1966, in the USA. He is a proud American and has a Cherokee Indian-American ethnicity. He was brought up with Christian values and is straight. Steve’s parents were Vivian Patricia Ridge and the legendary Bob Ross. That’s right; Steve is the son of the famous painter Bob Ross, who taught millions of people how to paint and create beautiful landscapes.
Steve grew up in a creative environment, surrounded by his father’s art, which undoubtedly influenced his artistic pursuits. Standing at an impressive 6’5″, Steve is quite tall and towers over many people. He has a head full of luscious brown hair and striking brown eyes that captivate everyone who looks at him. He currently resides in the USA, where he continues creating stunning art pieces and carrying on his father’s legacy.
Career
After the passing of his mother, Bob Ross and his son found solace in painting, and it became a lifelong passion for both of them. Steve was not content with simply admiring his father’s work. He decided to follow in his footsteps and become a painter himself.
Steve’s first appearance on The Joy of Painting was in the final episode of the show’s first season. He nervously read questions from fans while his father expertly filled the canvas with beautiful scenery. It was a nerve-wracking experience for the young artist, but it was just the beginning of his artistic journey.

Steve’s passion for painting didn’t stop there. He became a certified Bob Ross instructor and traveled nationwide, sharing his father’s techniques and secrets with everyone who would listen. He even became more comfortable speaking to large audiences, showcasing his incredible talent and passion for art.
In Season 29, Episode 6 of The Joy of Painting, Bob Ross described his son as a passionate painter and teacher who had been painting since childhood. It was also mentioned that Steve sold his first picture at the young age of 12. The next time Steve appeared in The Joy of Painting, he had grown in size and character. He was completely in his element, showing viewers how to create landscapes rivalling his father’s.
Break from painting
Losing a parent is never easy, and for Steve Ross, it happened twice. He was just a young boy when he lost his mother, and then, in 1995, he lost his father, Bob Ross, to a rare and aggressive form of cancer called lymphoma. As any son would, Steve rushed to Florida to be by his dad’s side during his final months.
He saw firsthand the toll that Bob’s illness was taking on him and the stress of business partners looking to take over the company after Bob’s passing. It was a difficult time for Steve, who had already experienced so much loss in his young life. After his father’s death, Steve found himself in a deep depression. He struggled to come to terms with his loss and even had thoughts of ending his own life.
Controversies after Bob’s death
Bob Ross left behind a legacy that lives on today. After his death, his intellectual property rights were acquired by Bob Ross, Inc. (BRI). However, his son, Steve, received no compensation for this acquisition. Steve believed that his father would not have wanted to give up all of his control and even pointed to a clause in his father’s will that granted rights to his name, likeness, and recorded work to Bob’s half-brother Jimmie Cox and Steve himself.




