| Full Name | Robert Norman Ross |
| Date of Birth | October 29, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S. |
| Date of Death | July 4, 1995 |
| Place of Death | Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Resting Place | Woodlawn Memorial Park |
| Occupations | Painter, Art Instructor, Television Host |
| Years Active | 1981–1995 |
| Spouses | Vivian Ridge (m. 1965; div. 1977), Jane Ross (m. 1977; died 1992), Lynda Brown (m. 1995) |
| Children | 2 |
| Military Service | United States Air Force (1961–1981) |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Notable TV Show | The Joy of Painting (1983–1994) |
| Education | High school dropout in 9th grade |
| Known For | Painting techniques, especially “wet-on-wet” method |
| Website | bobross.com |
| Early Life | Raised in Orlando, Florida; cared for injured animals |
| Military Career | Enlisted in USAF at 18; medical records technician; first sergeant of clinic at Eielson Air Force Base |
| Artistic Training | Developed quick painting techniques during brief work breaks |
| Inspiration | Influenced by Bill Alexander’s TV show, The Magic of Oil Painting |
| Career Shift | Retired from Air Force in 1981; began painting Alaskan landscapes and selling them on novelty gold-mining pans |
| Posthumous Fame | Became widely known through internet presence after his death |
