At 57, Bob Ross's Son Finally Reveals The TRAGIC Truth About Him

Summary

The video script explores the life of Bob Ross, from his early passion for painting to his iconic 'The Joy of Painting' show. It delves into his military background, his rise to fame, and the personal tragedies that shaped him. The script also uncovers the business dynamics and conflicts with the Kowalskis, the family behind Bob Ross Inc., and the legal battles that followed his death, affecting his legacy and the ownership of his name and art.

Takeaways

• 🎨 Bob Ross was known for his quick painting skills, being able to film an entire season of 'The Joy of Painting' in just two days.
• 🌳 Ross had a deep connection with nature, caring for injured animals in his youth and later incorporating his love for landscapes into his art.
• 🛠️ Before becoming an artist, Ross worked as a carpenter with his father and later served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years.
• 🏆 Ross's military experience, particularly his time in Alaska, influenced his interest in painting landscapes and his signature style.
• 🖌️ Bob Ross learned the wet-on-wet painting technique from William Alexander, which became central to his TV show and teaching method.
• 📺 'The Joy of Painting' premiered on PBS in 1983 and aired for 11 years, becoming a cultural phenomenon and a source of comfort for many viewers.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ross was married three times and had two children, with his personal life marked by both joy and tragedy.
• 🤝 Ross's partnership with the Kowalskis led to the creation of Bob Ross Inc., but also to complex business dynamics and personal conflicts.
• 💔 The death of Ross's wife Jane and subsequent changes in business partnerships strained relationships and led to legal battles over Ross's legacy.
• 🚫 Despite his fame, Ross kept his battle with Lymphoma private, continuing to create art and joy for his audience until his death in 1995.
• 🕊️ Ross's legacy is marked by his unique art style, his influence on popular culture, and the ongoing disputes over the rights to his name and likeness.

Q & A

How quickly could Bob Ross film an entire season of 'The Joy of Painting'?

Bob Ross could film an entire season of 'The Joy of Painting' in just two days.

What was Bob Ross's early life like and where was he born?

Bob Ross, born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, grew up in Orlando, Florida. He was known for caring for injured animals and later dropped out of high school to work as a carpenter with his father.

How did Bob Ross lose part of his left index finger?

Bob Ross lost part of his left index finger in an accident involving a saw while working as a carpenter with his father.

What was Bob Ross's military career like and how did it influence his later life?

Bob Ross served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, working as a medical records technician and eventually reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. His time in Alaska, where he first saw snow and mountains, sparked his interest in landscape painting.

How did Bob Ross's personality change after his military service?

After leaving the military, Bob Ross decided to be softer in his demeanor, distancing himself from the strict disciplinarian role he played in the military. This gentle personality became a hallmark of his TV persona.

What painting technique did Bob Ross learn and popularize on his show?

Bob Ross learned and popularized the wet-on-wet technique, which involves applying oil paint on top of still-wet paint, allowing for quick creation of images on canvas.

How did Bob Ross's relationship with the Kowalskis begin and evolve?

Bob Ross's relationship with the Kowalskis began when Annette Kowalski attended his painting class. They later became business partners, creating Bob Ross Inc. However, disputes over business decisions and personal matters led to a strained relationship.

What was the impact of Jane Ross's death on Bob Ross and the business?

Jane Ross's death in 1992 led to a change in the business dynamics, as her shares were divided among the remaining partners, reducing Bob Ross's voting power and leading to conflicts over the company's direction.

How did Bob Ross handle his diagnosis of Lymphoma and continue his work?

Despite his diagnosis, Bob Ross continued to create painting episodes, keeping his condition a secret from his crew. He used painting as a means to cope with his illness and to maintain a sense of normalcy.

What was the outcome of the legal battles between the Ross family and the Kowalskis after Bob Ross's death?

The Kowalskis sued for Ross's estate and eventually gained control of Bob Ross Inc. Steve Ross, Bob's son, lost a lawsuit against the company in 2019, resulting in the Kowalskis owning almost everything related to Bob Ross.

What is the current status of Bob Ross's artwork and legacy?

Bob Ross's artwork is highly sought after by fans but rarely found in the art market. His first painting, 'A Walk in the Woods', was sold for a significant amount, and his legacy continues through the popularity of 'The Joy of Painting'.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 The Life and Tragedy of Bob Ross

This paragraph delves into the life of Bob Ross, exploring his early years, his passion for painting, and the personal tragedies he faced. Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, Bob Ross developed a love for animals and painting. His time in the U.S. Air Force, particularly in Alaska, influenced his landscape painting style. Despite his gentle TV persona, Ross's life was marked by challenges, including a finger injury and a strict military career that contrasted with his later soft-spoken image.

05:03

🖌️ Bob Ross's Artistic Journey and Personal Struggles

The second paragraph outlines Bob Ross's evolution as an artist and the challenges he faced in his personal life. After discovering a passion for painting during his military service in Alaska, Ross refined his skills, eventually selling paintings to tourists. His transition from the military to a full-time painter was not without difficulties, including financial struggles and the development of his iconic afro to save on haircuts. Ross's TV show, 'The Joy of Painting,' became a hit, but his personal life was tumultuous, with three marriages and the complexities of his relationships, including a rumored affair with business partner Annette Kowalski.

10:06

🏔️ The Artistic and Business Partnership of Bob Ross

This section discusses the partnership that led to the creation of 'The Joy of Painting' and the business endeavors of Bob Ross Inc. Annette and Walt Kowalski played a significant role in Ross's rise to fame, but their relationship was marred by disputes over business interests and personal matters. Ross's son, Steve, was introduced to the show as a potential successor, but their relationship was strained due to disagreements over Steve's reluctance to take over the show. The paragraph also touches on the legal battles and tensions that arose after the death of Ross's wife, Jane, and the impact on the business dynamics.

15:11

👣 Bob Ross's Legacy and the Betrayal by the Kowalskis

The fourth paragraph highlights the deterioration of relationships and the legal struggles following Bob Ross's death. The Kowalskis' aggressive pursuit of control over Ross's name and likeness after his death led to a series of lawsuits and a falling out with Ross's family. The Kowalskis' actions were driven by profit, even as they disregarded the personal impact on Ross and his loved ones. The paragraph also details the emotional turmoil experienced by Ross's son, Steve, and the eventual loss of the family's rights to Bob Ross Inc.

20:17

🚶‍♂️ The Final Years and Passing of Bob Ross

This paragraph recounts the final years of Bob Ross's life, his battle with Lymphoma, and his efforts to keep his diagnosis private. Despite his illness, Ross continued to create art and spread joy through his show. The paragraph also describes the strained relationship between Ross and the Kowalskis, who were more concerned with the business implications of his health than his well-being. Ross's death and the subsequent legal battles for control over his estate and intellectual property are also covered, revealing the extent to which the Kowalskis pursued their interests.

25:23

💼 The Aftermath of Bob Ross's Death and Legal Battles

The final paragraph summarizes the aftermath of Bob Ross's death, including the legal disputes over his estate and the aggressive actions of the Kowalskis to secure the rights to his name and likeness. It details the efforts of Ross's son, Steve, to reclaim his father's legacy and the challenges he faced due to previous agreements made by his half-brother, Jimmy Cox. The paragraph concludes with the Kowalskis gaining control over almost all aspects of Ross's work and life, leaving Steve with limited options to preserve his father's memory and art.

🖼️ Bob Ross's Artistic Achievements and Legacy

This concluding paragraph reflects on Bob Ross's artistic achievements, his creation of approximately 30,000 paintings, and the unique position his work holds in the art world. It discusses the rarity of his paintings in the art market and the high value they command when they do appear. The paragraph also touches on the distinction between Ross's art and traditional fine art, as well as the continued ownership and influence of Bob Ross Inc. over much of his work.

Keywords

💡Bob Ross

Bob Ross, born Robert Norman Ross, was an American painter, art instructor, and television host. He is best known for his TV show 'The Joy of Painting,' where he used wet-on-wet oil painting techniques to create landscapes in a soothing and engaging manner. The video script delves into his life, from his early years caring for animals to his military service and eventual rise to fame as a beloved TV personality.

💡The Joy of Painting

The Joy of Painting was a television show hosted by Bob Ross, which aired for 11 years on PBS. The show was a platform where Ross demonstrated his wet-on-wet oil painting technique, creating serene landscapes in half-hour episodes. It was not only an educational program but also a source of relaxation and inspiration for many viewers, as evidenced by the script's mention of its calming effect and therapeutic nature.

💡Wet-on-wet technique

The wet-on-wet technique is a painting method where oil paint is applied on top of still-wet paint, rather than waiting for the paint to dry before layering. This technique was central to Bob Ross's painting process and TV show, allowing him to complete paintings quickly and create a dynamic visual experience for viewers. The script highlights this technique as a pivotal moment in Ross's artistic career.

💡US Air Force

Bob Ross served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, where he held the rank of Master Sergeant and worked as a medical records technician. His military experience is significant as it shaped his disciplined approach to painting and contributed to his persona as 'Bust 'Em Up Bobby.' The script mentions his time in the Air Force as a transformative period that also sparked his interest in landscape painting.

💡Annette Kowalski

Annette Kowalski, along with her husband Walt, was a key figure in Bob Ross's life and career. She attended one of Ross's painting classes as a means to cope with grief, which led to a business partnership that created the show 'The Joy of Painting' and Bob Ross Inc. The script describes the complex relationship between Ross and the Kowalskis, which had a significant impact on Ross's legacy and personal life.

💡Lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. Bob Ross was diagnosed with Lymphoma towards the end of his life, which eventually led to his death at the age of 52. The script reveals that Ross continued to create paintings and episodes of his show despite his illness, demonstrating his dedication to his art and his audience.

💡Peapod

Peapod was Bob Ross's pet squirrel, who made appearances on 'The Joy of Painting.' The inclusion of Peapod added a unique and delightful element to the show, further endearing Ross to his viewers. The script mentions Peapod as an example of the show's ability to captivate audiences with its blend of art and personal touches.

💡Steve Ross

Steve Ross, also known as Robert Stephen Ross, is the son of Bob Ross from his relationship with his first wife, Vivian Ridge. The script discusses Steve's role in his father's life and career, including the tension that arose from Bob Ross's desire for Steve to continue his legacy, which ultimately led to a strained relationship between father and son.

💡Bob Ross Inc.

Bob Ross Inc. was the company established by Bob Ross, Annette and Walt Kowalski, and his wife Jane. It was responsible for the marketing of instructional books, videos, and art supplies associated with Ross's name and techniques. The script highlights the company's role in the expansion of Ross's influence and the subsequent legal battles over its ownership and assets after Ross's death.

💡Elmer and Friends

Elmer and Friends was a TV show that Bob Ross appeared in towards the end of his life. Despite his deteriorating health, Ross continued to pursue his passion for hosting a TV show, which the script presents as a testament to his commitment to his craft and his audience. The show's mention underscores Ross's enduring love for painting and television.

Highlights

Bob Ross could film an entire season of 'The Joy of Painting' in just two days.

Bob Ross's calming presence and 'happy accidents' philosophy had a profound impact on viewers.

Ross's early life was marked by a love for animals and a career shift from carpentry to painting.

An accident resulted in the loss of part of Bob Ross's left index finger, but it did not hinder his painting abilities.

Bob Ross served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where his height and role led to the nickname 'Bust 'Em Up Bobby'.

Ross's time in Alaska sparked his interest in landscape painting, a recurring theme in his future work.

Bob Ross's discovery of the wet-on-wet painting technique revolutionized his approach to art.

Ross's transition from the military to a painting career was challenging but ultimately rewarding.

Bob Ross's personal life included three marriages and two children, with complexities and tragedies.

The Kowalskis played a pivotal role in launching 'The Joy of Painting' and Bob Ross Inc.

Bob Ross's calm demeanor on TV contrasted with his strict military persona.

Ross's iconic afro was initially a cost-saving measure and later became his signature look.

Despite the success of 'The Joy of Painting', Ross was never paid for the episodes, focusing instead on the growth of BRI.

Bob Ross's relationship with the Kowalskis became strained due to business disagreements and personal matters.

Ross's battle with Lymphoma and the impact it had on his work and relationships.

After Bob Ross's death, the Kowalskis aggressively pursued the rights to his name and likeness for merchandising.

Steve Ross's legal battle against Bob Ross Inc. and the Kowalskis, and the eventual outcome.

Bob Ross's legacy includes approximately 30,000 paintings and a unique place in art and entertainment history.

Transcripts

Did you know that Bob Ross could  film an entire season of his show  

‘The Joy of Painting’ in just two days? From brushstrokes that turned mistakes  

into happy accidents and a voice that  lulled insomniacs into soothing sleep,  

the artist was phenomenal, and yet,  beyond the happy hippie persona on TV,  

Ross’s life faced a tragedy that caused uproars  in the hearts of his fans. Today, we delve into  

the life story of Bob Ross, from his peaceful  episodes to the battles he dealt with privately.

Early Life To fully understand Ross's complex tragedies,  

it's crucial to explore aspects of his early life. Robert Norman Ross or Bob Ross as he was famously  

known, was born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona  Beach, Florida, to parents, Jack and Ollie Ross.  

His father, Jack, was a carpenter and his mother,  Ollie, was a waitress. Bob grew up in Orlando,  

Florida, in a humble home. As a young boy,  Bob was known for caring for injured animals,  

discriminating against none. From snakes  and alligators to armadillos and squirrels,  

he cared for them all. His passion and care for  animals were later aired in his television show,  

spread across several episodes. In ninth grade,  Bob dropped out of High School, choosing instead  

to work with his father as a carpenter. However,  Bob lost part of his left index finger in an  

accident involving a saw while working as  a carpenter with his father. Fortunately,  

that would do nothing to affect his ability to  paint or hold a palette later in the future. 

Military Career In 1961, a few months  

after he turned 18, Ross joined the U.S. Air  Force where he served for 20 years. Ross was  

a tall man of 6 foot and 2 inches, towering  over most, however, what was an impressive  

height also turned out to be a problem for him.  His outstanding height and flat feet meant that  

he could not train as a pilot or work on planes.  He was relegated to a desk job where he would work  

as a medical records technician. When Ross reached  the rank of Master sergeant, he described himself  

as “the guy who makes you scrub the latrine,  the guy who makes you make your bed, the guy  

who screams at you for being late to work.” Ross was so hard on the recruits that he  

earned the nickname “Bust ‘Em Up Bobby”. However,  although Ross was good at his job, he hated having  

to play the role of a disciplinarian and screaming  at the recruits and his subordinates to the  

extent of being known specifically for that. The  soft-spoken man with a gentle personality we all  

knew later, was born out of his desire to distance  himself from the man he was in the military which  

prompted him to promise himself that he would be  softer after leaving, a promise he stayed true to. 

Ross served as the first sergeant of the clinic at  the Eielson Airforce Base in Alaska. His time in  

Alaska was where he first saw snow and mountains  and it was what brought about his interest in  

landscape paintings as opposed to all other forms  of painting. The landscape would be a recurring  

theme in his paintings later in the future. Would Ross’s transition from a life in the  

army to a life as a painter be all that he had  dreamed of or will he come to regret his decision? 

First Steps as an Artist. Bob Ross first took an interest  

in painting in the early 1960s when the United  Service Organizations club started a painting  

lesson while he was still stationed in Alaska.  However, although he found painting interesting  

and continued to paint, it was not until 1975 that  Bob Ross would finally have a deep passion for it. 

Ross’s interest in painting deepened when he saw  the show “The Magic of Oil Painting” in 1975,  

which was hosted by German painter,  William Alexander, from 1975 to 1982.  

Ross had spent 17 years in the Army at the  time. According to Ross in a later interview,  

“It almost made me angry the first time I saw  Alexander on TV. That he could do in a matter  

of minutes what took me days to do.” At the time,  it took Ross days to paint a picture because of  

the style of painting he’d learnt, however, he  had just been introduced to what would make up  

the rest of his painting career. The wet-on-wet  technique was a painting style that involved  

applying oil paint on top of still-wet paint  instead of waiting for the paint to dry before  

layering it with another. This method meant that  the idea could be quickly transferred onto the  

canvas to create the image, which was what made  it a perfect art style for a television program. 

He painted constantly while he was still serving  in the military and usually sold his paintings,  

which were usually of the Alaskan landscape, to  tourists. He soon began to make more money selling  

his paintings than he made in the military. He  worked in taverns to supplement the money he made  

in the military and it was there that painted,  although his paintings were mostly on gold-panning  

tins. It helped him learn how to paint quickly  and also to brush up his skill with painting.  

Ross did not only sell paintings but he also  gave demonstrations, which added to the appeal  

of his art as people marvelled at the sight of him  painting and creating art right in front of them. 

In 1981, Ross would retire from the military after  20 years and would seek out Alexander who he had  

religiously watched on TV up until that point. As  a result of his deep interest in learning the art  

form, he became Alexander’s best student, however,  that didn’t pay very well and although he managed  

to arrange a few paid lessons as a painting  instructor, it was barely enough to survive  

on. Ross’s signature afro came in an attempt to  save money on haircuts. He let his hair grow and  

instead got a perm. In later years, he made up  his mind never to cut it off as it had become his  

signature look. Although he disliked the hairstyle  and felt like he was stuck with it, he couldn’t  

cut it off because it had become an integral  part of his identity as a painter and man. 

Ross’s hair and style projected a loveable  hippie persona. Almost always dressed in denim  

shirts and jeans and with a calm speaking voice  that bordered on intimacy and made the viewers  

feel like they were on a one-on-one painting  session with him despite the large numbers he  

pulled in with his show every episode. Ross  had a magnetic effect that endeared his fans  

to him with every episode they watched. The  calm man with his soothing effect and his  

references to “happy little” trees and clouds.  To some, watching him paint was more than just  

learning the art. It was also therapeutic. Ross later gained his travelling instructor  

certificate after he became one of Alexander’s  travelling instructors. Ross later adopted  

this method of painting. However, it wasn’t as  profitable as he’d hoped in the first years of  

his painting career. In 1983, however, Ross  premiered on PBS with his show, “The Joy of  

Painting,” which aired for 11 years, 3 years more  than his predecessor and much more successful. 

Personal Life Bob Ross’s personal life was not rough,  

although it did not bear the same calmness and  happy-go-lucky tone that his life in his show  

carried. Ross was married three times and had  two children. He had his first child while he was  

still a teenager, although not much is known about  that child. His second child Robert Stephen Ross,  

otherwise known as Steve Ross, was from  his relationship with his first wife,  

Vivian Ridge. The pair would divorce in 1977,  allegedly as a result of Ross’s infidelity. 

Ross married his second wife, Jane, shortly  after the end of his first marriage. The  

two were happy together and would go on  to be business partners until the time  

of her death in 1992. Unfortunately, their  marriage was not blessed with any children. 

In 1995, Ross married his third wife,  Lynda Brown, two months before his  

death. There are speculations about  the reasons for his marriage to her. 

Although he had become a public figure,  Ross was secretive about his personal life,  

choosing to keep things private. Brush with the Kowalskis 

Ross's first encounter with the Kowalskis  happened when Annette Kowalski attended a  

painting class he held as a means to cope. At the  time, she was desperately grieving the loss of  

her son and sought a means to escape her pain.  Ross’s class would turn out to be exactly what  

she needed as she was mesmerized by the way he  painted. Annette was the wife of Walt Kowalski,  

a retired CIA agent who had a knack for business  and the connections to be successful at it. Their  

brush with Ross led to the television show “The  Joy of Painting” and the celebrity status Ross  

would later enjoy as a result of the TV show. In 1983, The Joy of Painting was created and  

PBS stations across the country picked it up.  It would air on PBS for 11 years. And in 1984,  

Bob Ross Inc. was launched by the Kowalskis and  the Ross’s. Bob and his wife Jane shared equal  

partnership with Annette and her husband, Walt.  They had managed to create the perfect avenue to  

spread the value of art around the world as the  show managed to broadcast to 277 stations daily,  

reaching over 80 million people. This, however,  did not sit well with his former mentor, William  

Alexander, who had taught him the wet-on-wet  technique which he now used on his show,  

putting Alexander out of business. For Alexander,  Ross’s action was a betrayal he had never  

expected. His student had not only stolen from him  but also showed to the whole world that he could  

do it better, an act that bothered the mentor. Although Alexander claims to have created the  

wet-on-wet technique, the painting style has  been in existence since Caravaggio who was  

quite known for painting with oil colours. Alexander had failed to realize exactly what  

it was that drew people to Ross’s show.  It wasn’t because of the painting style,  

although it helped that he could finish a painting  in a half hour before the show ended, however,  

it was Bob’s personality, his calm, sensual tone,  and his ability to get even the restless minds to  

relax and follow along with his painting sessions.  It did not matter if they were painting at home  

themselves or if they were simply watching as  a means to idly pass the time. Unfortunately,  

the same could not be said for Alexander. His  strong German accent which interfered with his  

pronunciation of English words did not elicit  the same emotions that Ross was known for. 

Ross’s ‘Joy of Painting’ show did bring joy  to those who watched him. He had created an  

atmosphere for people to simply be themselves  as they learned painting with him as a friend.  

Bob Ross’s painting style was very easily taught  and would have been quite easy to copy by anyone  

truly interested in painting, however, what they  couldn’t copy was his personality and the true and  

honest passion his voice and actions portrayed. In an episode of his show, Ross painted only in  

grey tones after he was approached by a fan of  his work who wished to paint but couldn’t do so  

because he was colourblind and only saw in grey  tones. His compassion for his fans drew even more  

viewers to his show and had people singing his  praise, showing that he wasn’t in it for the money  

but he truly loved what he did. Ross utilized the  half-hour each episode aired to paint, making sure  

to carry his viewers along with the technique  and sometimes even entertaining commentaries. 

Ross continued to find ways to make his  show even more interesting for his viewers,  

including bringing in his pet squirrel,  Peapod, on the show as a special guest.  

Audiences found this delightful and Peapod would  continue to make an appearance on the show. 

Surprisingly, in the 11 years that the show  aired on PBS, although the show was top-rated  

and aired 403 episodes, Ross was never paid for  any episode. They were all done for free. However,  

Ross made his money through other means.  Their interest was in growing the show and  

receiving publicity for their company, BRI. The  company marketed instructional books, videos,  

and art supplies using the Bob Ross name. He also  offered painting workshops with teachers who had  

been trained in his method of wet-on-wet painting.  By 1991, their sacrifice had paid off. What was  

once a company built with an idea of what could be  had turned into a $15 million per year enterprise. 

Unlike the Kowalskis, Ross did not care  much for the money that was earned, instead,  

he was more interested in creating a platform  where people could learn art much like he had  

and have quality products while they learned the  craft. The Kowalskis cared more about maximizing  

profits even if that included cutting corners. It is often said that money has a way of bringing  

out people’s true personalities and in the  case of Ross and the Kowalskis, this would  

not be far from the truth. Unhappy Accidents. 

As the years rolled by and the partners'  relationships continued to grow, rumours  

would start to circulate about the dynamics  of their relationship. It was rumoured that  

Ross and Annette were involved in a secret  affair, however, the Kowalski family denied it  

to be mere rumours. However, years later, Steve  Ross, Ross’s son, would bring it up once again,  

alluding to the fact that it was indeed true. Issues began to stem from what had been a peaceful  

relationship between the business partners  when Ross’s wife, Jane, passed away in 1992  

from cancer. The business partners had agreed in  a contract at the creation of the company that  

following the death of a partner, their portion  of the shares would be divided equally between  

the three remaining business partners instead  of passing on to their relationship partners. 

With the death of Ross’s wife and the  division of her shares among the others,  

Ross had become a minority vote in a company  that profited off his public image and his name. 

In John D. Rockefeller’s words “A friendship  founded on business is better than a business  

founded on friendship”. Jane’s death was the  catalyst that would prove these words to be  

true in Ross’s life. The Show Must Go On. 

In the eleven years that the show aired,  although Ross had some special guests,  

people and animals included, there was one who  was more special than all the others – his son,  

Steve. Throughout the show, Ross continued to  invite his son to the show to paint. He would  

sometimes sit and make small commentaries as  Steve dazzled the audience with his painting,  

sometimes dropping small hints that showed his  true intentions. Ross was preparing for his son  

to take over his place when it came time for  him to retire from the show. However, although  

Steve was a good artist himself, evidenced in  the paintings he created both on the show and  

outside of it, he did not care to follow in  his father’s footsteps and take after him. 

For Ross, his son was a terrific painter and  he knew he would be able to carry on with the  

show if needed, however, for Steve, it was  not the same. The pressure of following in  

his father’s footsteps would put a strain  on their relationship. A fight broke out  

between the two and they didn’t speak together  for several years as a result. The two would,  

unfortunately, remain estranged for a long  time and would only speak again after Ross was  

diagnosed with Lymphoma just a few weeks after  the death of his wife. In a later interview,  

Steve mentioned that he regretted his decision  to not take over from where his father stopped. 

Although his illness had weakened his body  and the diagnosis had weakened his spirit,  

Ross continued doing what he loved best, spreading  joy one painting episode at a time. Ross continued  

making videos until he could no longer summon the  strength it would take to get out of bed in the  

morning, let alone paint for thirty whole minutes.  Despite the ticking time bomb inside of him,  

Ross managed to keep his diagnosis a secret  from the entire crew that he worked with  

as he continued to spread joy and laughter  with his jokes and stories while he painted. 

With his impending death hovering at the back of  his mind, Ross delved deeper into his painting,  

creating about 3 or 4 episodes a day. Not only  did he wish to have more episodes out for his  

viewers after his death, but he also used it  as a means to take his mind off his problem. 

Unfortunately for him, the people whom he had  once called friends were no longer there for  

him. They cared more about what the disadvantage  his death would put them at than the loss of a  

life. There would be no Bob Ross Inc. without the  man whose identity created the brand. For them,  

it was all about finding a solution to their  problem so they could continue to profit from  

the brand even after his inevitable death. As the end loomed nearer, the Kowalskis became  

desperate for the answer to their problem. The  Kowalskis had turned into his greatest nightmare  

and there was nothing he could do about it except  for one. After 403 episodes equaling 13 shows,  

Ross ended the series with parting words  no one could have known were messages  

signaling goodbye. The show began on  January 11, 1983, and ended in 1994. 

One of Ross’s goals was to host a TV show  and in 1995, as his life neared its end,  

he did just that, appearing in the show, “Elmer  and Friends”. Unfortunately, this would put an  

even greater strain on his already waning  relationship with the Kowalskis. Now higher  

shareholders in the company, they believed they  reserved control of the company and him since he  

was the face of the company. Ross had appeared  on the show, wearing a wig to cover his already  

thinning hair. The Kowalskis believed that the  audience would find out about his illness as a  

result and it would only affect their business. Ross continued with the show, choosing to make  

the children happy and to fulfil his life’s  goal of hosting a TV show instead of appeasing  

the Kowalskis and their need for financial  gain. The Kowalskis could tell that Ross’s  

time was coming sooner than they hoped  and they would need to do something about  

it if they had any hope of enjoying the  proceeds the company had begun to yield. 

While on his deathbed, Annette  Kowalski visited the Ross family,  

although it was not a friendly one. Armed with  a contract that meant Ross would have signed his  

name and the use of his likeness over to them,  she approached Steve with claims of signing a  

contract that would help them create a memorial  for Ross following his death. Steve, appalled by  

their sudden change of behaviour towards his  father since the news of his illness broke,  

refused to take the contract to his ailing father. Although Annette returned home with no signature  

on the contract, the Kowalski family had not  given up their plans to own everything that  

concerned the artist. With each passing day when  he did not sign, they grew even more agitated.  

Ross’s life meant nothing to them past getting a  single signature on a piece of paper. For them,  

his legacy and likeness were more  important than the man himself. 

The Kowalskis constantly bothered the Ross  household with calls, caring nothing for the  

dying man who had taken to bed for his last days  of peace before he left the world. Steve recalled  

in an interview that his peaceful father lost his  peace with every phone call. He would often hear  

him shouting in his room, yelling “You’re not  getting my name. I’m not giving you my name.” 

Although Ross tried to hold onto what  he cherished, keeping away the Kowalskis  

for as long as he could, he could never have  expected what would happen following his death. 

Life After Ross. On July 4, 1995,  

Bob Ross died due to complications from Lymphoma  at the age of 52. Ross’s death had not come much  

as a surprise to him. For most of his adult life,  he had given in to the addiction to nicotine and  

was a cigarette smoker. He had battled several  health complications throughout his life and  

had expected that he would die young. He was  buried at the Woodlawn Memorial Park in Gotha,  

Florida. Much like every area of his personal  life, Ross had kept his diagnosis a secret  

from the public, with only close family  and friends knowing about his death. 

The general public would not know of his death  either, until much later, after he had been  

buried. Even in death, the Kowalskis cared more  about what the knowledge of his death would do to  

their business than about the fact that they had  lost someone who once saw them as friends even if  

he had been nothing more to them than a business  opportunity. With the information of his death  

kept secret, only about forty people showed up to  his funeral. The Kowalskis had not been present. 

With Ross now out of the way, under the terms of  their agreement, the Kowalskis had full ownership  

of Bob Ross Inc. Although the Kowalskis had  gotten what they wanted, it was not enough.  

With Ross’s death, it was only a matter of time  before the general public found out about it,  

thus losing the advantage they had. Annette  and Walt wanted more than just the company as  

there was no way to keep it going now that the  man whose face the company was built upon was  

gone. Nothing else would work if they couldn’t lay  their hands on the right to his name and likeness. 

The Kowalskis interest laid in using Ross’s  name for merchandising, which they couldn’t  

do until they owned the rights to his name.  They decided to try the aggressive route.  

Although Ross had not baulked under the weight  of their pressure and signed over the rights  

to his estate before his death, they were  now going to get it using the legal way. 

Ross had written the Kowalskis out of his will  and testament leaving his estate and the rights  

to his name and likeness to his son, Steve  and his half-brother, Jimmie Cox, however,  

although that should have been enough to protect  them from the Kowalskis and their scheming,  

they were about to be faced with more  than they could have ever bargained for. 

The Kowalskis countered his will,  claiming ownership of everything that  

Ross had owned during his time working  under Bob Ross Inc. The Kowalskis had  

done their research and were in it for  all or nothing. In an interview he had,  

Steve recalls a phone call he received from  Annette two days after the death of his father,  

where she told him he could never create  a business regarding painting with the Bob  

Ross name, however, he was free to do anything  else as long as it was not related to painting. 

At the end of his life, Ross had done  all in his power to make sure that the  

Kowalskis never ended up with his intellectual  properties including his name and likeness,  

certain to address these issues in his will. He  went as far as marrying his third wife, the nurse  

he had met while he was in the hospital, however,  that would do nothing to prevent what was to come. 

The Kowalskis sued for Ross’s estate, suing  both his third wife and half-brother. They  

wanted everything that he had worked on and  worked with, from the paintings he had made,  

to the paint brushes that swiped across  the canvases to create the artwork. 

The Kowalskis were on a suing spree. Not  only did they sue the Ross family but  

they also sued WIPB TV, the PBS station that  had been home to “The Joy of Painting” show,  

and a PBS children’s TV show for a half million  dollars. The children’s show had been the same one  

that Bob did towards the end of his life in 1995.  Ross had appeared in a greenscreen since he’d  

grown too weak to travel at the time, however,  that would do nothing to stop the Kowalskis. 

By the time they were done, they owned  almost everything that concerned Ross. 

Would this be the end for the Ross family or  would they find a way to fight back and get  

back all that they lost? Bob’s Legacy. 

With the loss of his father and everything  that concerned him, Steve was frustrated. The  

Kowalskis and their desire to sue anyone who stood  in their way had instilled fear in him. Following  

the advice of his lawyer, Steve decided to sue  them before they could find something else to  

take from him. He conducted his research to find  anything that would prove that he had ownership  

over his father’s name and he did indeed find it.  His father had made preparations for that so that,  

however, Steve was about to have a rude awakening.  Jimmy Cox who had been made guardian because Steve  

hadn’t been old enough, had signed some papers  to make the lawsuit they were faced with go away.  

Unfortunately, that meant he had signed over all  rights to Bob Ross Inc. They had taken everything,  

including the tape recordings of conversations  between Ross and the Kowalskis. Unfortunately,  

Steve lost his lawsuit against  Bob Ross Inc. in June 2019. 

Achievements By the end of his life, Ross had painted  

approximately 30,000 paintings and although many  other artists have done notable works that deserve  

accolades, despite his unusually high number of  original paintings, Ross’s paintings are rarely  

ever found in the art market, usually snagged  before news of their availability hits the market.  

Because of Ross’s desire to keep his work from  being turned into a means of financial gain, his  

paintings have never been sold in major auction  houses. Bob Ross Inc. continues to own the rights  

to many of the paintings he created while the show  “The Joy of Painting” aired. His first painting “A  

Walk in the Woods”, was originally sold for about  100 dollars by a station volunteer who bought it  

and hung it on his wall for 39 years, however,  now it’s been appraised and stamped with an asking  

price of $9.85 million, one of the few paintings  he created that are not owned by the Bob Ross Inc. 

Although Bob Ross was a very famous artist, his  art style has been described as “a cross between  

fine art and entertainment memorabilia” by an  art appraisal service. His work, which bears a  

sharp contrast to other traditional artists  is most commonly sought after by fans of the  

show instead of wealthy collectors who prefer more  seasonal pieces created by other artists. The only  

paintings owned by Bob Ross that continue to be in  possession of collectors are those which were sold  

during the show and the ones he painted before  the show that Bob Ross Inc. have no claims to.

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