Bob Ross

Bob Ross was an American painter and television host. He was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1942. He hosted a TV show called The Joy of Painting. He taught millions of people that anyone can create beautiful art.

Early Life

Ross served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. He was stationed in Alaska where he fell in love with the snowy mountains and landscapes. He learned to paint quickly using a technique called wet-on-wet. He left the military to paint full-time.

Bob Ross painting happy little trees at his easel.
Bob Ross painting happy little trees at his easel. (Wikimedia Commons)

Big Achievements

Ross hosted The Joy of Painting from 1983 to 1994. He completed over 30,000 paintings. His calm voice and encouraging words made the show beloved. He showed people that making mistakes in art can lead to happy accidents.

Fun Facts

  • Ross's famous afro hairstyle was actually a perm he got to save money on haircuts.
  • He said there are no mistakes, only happy accidents.
  • His TV show has become popular again on the internet with new generations of fans.

Did You Know?

Ross's TV show has found new life on the internet. Millions of people watch his old episodes on YouTube. His gentle encouragement and simple teaching style continue to inspire people to pick up a paintbrush.