The Untold Tragedy of Bob Ross
648,125
Published 2023-06-10
Toward the end of his TV career, Bob Ross stood atop a $15 million empire of live classes, art supplies, and how-to books.
But if you buy one of the many Bob Ross products out there today, do you know who the money really goes to? You may not like the answer to that.
While to many people Bob Ross symbolizes a life committed to artistic creation and the joy of painting, his life signified something way darker and more frightening: the exploitation of one’s image in the name of profit and greed.
This is the tragic story of Bob Ross that includes deathbed marriages, last-minute estate changes, business and family betrayals, CIA-style tape recordings, and even a former CIA agent.
Robert Norman Ross was born in Daytona, Florida, in 1942. He dropped out of school in 9th grade to work with his father as a carpenter.
At 18, he joined the Air Force and moved to Alaska, where he’d spend the next 20 years as a drill sergeant screaming at recruits. He was such a hard-ass that he earned the nickname “Bust ’em up Bobby.”
But his life changed when he discovered art.
Watching TV one day, he caught Bill Alexander, a German painter who had a PBS show called “The Magic of Oil Painting,”. Bob was instantly hooked.
He became one of Alexander’s traveling instructors and later gained his painting instructor certification. Alexander was using what’s called “wet on wet” technique, which Bob later adopted.
Despite his obvious talent as an artist, Bob’s early years as a painter weren’t all that profitable. Being Alexander’s star student didn’t pay very well, and the few paid lessons that he managed to arrange barely covered the bills.
In an attempt to save money on haircuts, he let his hair grow, he got a perm and decided he would never need a haircut again. Bob actually disliked the hairstyle, but his perm had later become an integral part of his public image and he felt that he was stuck with it. So he decided to keep his curls.
Trying to cope with the loss of her son, Annette Kowalski took one of Bob’s classes, and she was mesmerized.
Annette was the wife of Walt Kowalski, a former CIA agent with cold shark eyes. The pair saw Bob’s potential and were set to make him a TV star. Together with Bob and his wife Jane, they launched Bob Ross, Inc. Or BRI.
In 1983 “The Joy of Painting” premiered and PBS stations across the country quickly picked it up, rocketing Bob to television stardom, airing until 1994 and broadcasting on 277 stations to over 80 million people daily, the brand of Bob Ross was born making him a competitor to his former mentor.
00:00 - Intro
00:52 - Tidio
02:07 - The happy artist
04:47 - We're in business
08:42 - Unhappy accidents
10:07 - The show must go on
14:00 - Life after Bob
17:57 - Bob's legacy
All Comments (21)
-
Try Tidio for 14 days for free, no credit card needed and get 20% off your premium subscription: www.tidio.com/get/badmoney
-
It’s sad to know how The people Bob and his family thought were his friends betrayed him and tried to own him DESPICABLE!
-
I watch Bob Ross when I'm too anxious to sleep. Works every time. He is such a gentle voice to listen to and a lovely person to watch.
-
Will never buy Bob Ross supplies again, I always thought his family was carrying on his products. So sad. These people are heartless.
-
Truly sickening. Money really does do strange things to people. Im Sure Bob would have been disgusted if he knew the goings on after his death.
-
I could never buy anything from the Bob Ross company SHAME ON THEM.
-
"sometimes you need a little sadness to know when the good times come....im waiting on those good times now" aw man he literally saw the positive side to everything.
-
Incredibly sad how greedy some people can be
-
This is so sad. I used to watch Bob on PBS with my toddler, who had an artistic streak. She loved to watch him and was doing her own version of his paintings herself! (No, you'd never mistake one for the other, though 😉) We met him at a PBS event in Central Park, and she was as totally thrilled to meet him as he seemed to be to meet her. He picked her up and showed her off as his youngest fan! Not sure which of them was happier in that moment!
-
If hell existed, the Kowslskis would live in the low- rent section. If only Dante was around to create another ring of hell just for them. These people are monsters.
-
I watched this video when it first came out and decided to check on it again. In my opinion, this video needs more views. The research and effort you put into this video shows throughout. There’s so much I didn’t know about Bob before this video and has given me no choice but to respect him and his son even more. Very well done!
-
Those horrible people. I wish I had known this years ago when I bought just about everything he sold. I certainly won't buy another thing. I feel so sorry for his son. I used to enjoy watching when he brought him on the set to paint.
-
it's disgusting what the world can do to others. But I take solace in the fact that Bob Ross is universally cherished. A gift to our world. In times of despair and darkness, he did seem to shine as a positive light. Can't help but smile seeing his videos. God bless him.
-
Bob Ross and his wife held the other two quarters. But upon each of their deaths, the ownership was equally spread among the survivors, meaning that the Kowalskis eventually ended up with the whole company. That said, no one should ever purchase any Bob Ross products again.
-
Greed. Probably this biggest evil of society
-
Good to know. Won't ever buy any Bob not really Ross junk. Always thought it was a bit dirty as a younger kid in the early 90's at an Arts and Craft store with Bob's face on everything particularly after he died. I thought... that guy isn't receiving any of this... and you can buy canvas wet paint cheaper than with name brand stuff... and brushes are better quality typically outside the name brand junk. Along with better oil paints too both cheaper or pricier. Brand is only a gimmick for the naive and dumb. Hope people find this out and boycott that brand. I think that's what Bob would want.
-
Bob Ross, will always be a treasured soul, in my opinion...he brought more peace and harmony to millions of viewer's. No matter who, or what kind of person tries to replace this great man and wonderful Artist, it will NEVER measure up to what we know about Bob Ross and how hes touched so many hearts, in the world of painting. ❤❤ May peace and love, always be with this family and may the great Bob Ross be remembered for what he did for so many. Thank you, for this post! God bless you all.
-
I've just finished watching the first series and there are so many times (almost every episode) when Bob gives credit to his teacher acknowledging his influence: "this technique was taught to me by a great friend, Bill Alexander", "i didn't invent this, i just learned it from him", "a wonderful teacher" etc etc.... I understand that Bill Alexander was upset with the competition, but he can't say Bob betrayed or stole from him. It's just a case of a student outshining his master.
-
Its a shame that Bob's son will never get a profit from his father's name and likeness. That makes me sad. Well now that i know that his son isnt getting a dime im not ever going to buy any Bob Ross Merchandise. Shame on the " Friends" that Bob Trusted . What a Sad Sad Story😮
-
That’s very sad. I’m 48 and I remember watching him. I got into art cause I wanted to be like him. Very sad what they did to him. Should have all gone to his son. Very sad and very sick what they did to him.
