Bob Ross, the soft-spoken painter known for his "happy little trees," gained fame through his PBS show in the 1980s and 1990s. His iconic Afro hairstyle was a perm, and he didn't earn money from his TV program but from teaching, selling books, and paintings. Ross primarily painted trees (91%) and clouds (44%) and had a dedicated global following. His son, Stephen Ross, was a frequent guest on his show, but they had a falling out. Ross's calming presence and unique style continue to captivate viewers worldwide.
Here are the key facts extracted from the provided text:
1. Bob Ross was a soft-spoken painter who gained popularity in the 1980s and 1990s through his PBS show.
2. He passed away in 1995 at the age of 52.
3. Bob Ross learned the wet-on-wet painting technique from painter Bill Alexander, who appeared on public television in the 1970s.
4. Bob Ross served 20 years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant.
5. He vowed never to yell or scream again after leaving the military.
6. Bob Ross initially got a perm to save money on haircuts, and it became his trademark look.
7. He didn't get paid for his "Joy of Painting" program on PBS.
8. Bob Ross made money through teaching, selling books, paintings, and videos of his painting techniques.
9. His paintings featured trees in 91% of cases, often with multiple trees.
10. Clouds were featured in 44% of his paintings.
11. He rarely included people in his paintings, with only one painting featuring a silhouette of a person.
12. Bob Ross produced 1143 paintings during his show.
13. Most of his paintings were donated to PBS stations and auctioned off.
14. Bob Ross had a soothing voice that relaxed viewers, which is associated with ASMR.
15. His show had a following worldwide, with Japan airing it twice a day with a Japanese voiceover.
16. Bob's son, Stephen Ross, frequently appeared on his show.
17. A falling out occurred between Steve Ross and Bob Ross Inc. after Bob's passing.
18. Steve Ross and his half-brother, Morgan Ross, continue to paint and maintain a low online profile.
These facts provide a concise overview of Bob Ross and his life and career without including opinions.