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Entertainment • Painter

Bob Ross

Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host best known for creating and presenting the PBS series *The Joy of Painting* from 1983 to 1994.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host best known for creating and presenting the PBS series *The Joy of Painting* from 1983 to 1994. He became widely recognized for his calm teaching style and signature “happy little trees” approach to landscape painting. Ross died in 1995 at age 52 from lymphoma-related complications.

Early life and career

Bob Ross was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, and later became known as an art instructor and television personality. He gained national recognition through public television rather than traditional gallery fame.

The Joy of Painting

Ross created and hosted *The Joy of Painting*, an instructional series that ran from 1983 to 1994. The show presented wet-on-wet oil painting techniques and made him a household name in North America. The series aired on PBS in the United States and CBC in Canada, helping make Ross familiar to Canadian television audiences.

Legacy

After his death, Ross became a cultural icon whose image and teaching style remained popular through reruns and online platforms. His work is often remembered for its accessible method and calming presentation.

Death

Ross died in 1995 at age 52. Available sources say he died of lymphoma or lymphoma-related complications.

Key facts

  • Bob Ross created and hosted *The Joy of Painting*, which aired on PBS in the United States and CBC in Canada.
  • He became a popular public television personality for his relaxed on-air teaching style.
  • He was born in 1942 and died in 1995 at the age of 52.
  • Sources identify lymphoma as the cause of his death.
  • Ross is widely associated with fast, instructional landscape painting and recurring phrases such as “happy little trees.”
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Canadian context

*The Joy of Painting* aired on CBC in Canada, helping make Ross familiar to Canadian television audiences.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bob Ross?
Bob Ross was an American painter, art instructor, and television host best known for *The Joy of Painting*.
How old was Bob Ross?
Bob Ross was 52 years old when he died in 1995.
What happened to Bob Ross?
Ross developed lymphoma, and he died in 1995 from lymphoma-related complications.
What are Bob Ross paintings?
His paintings are mainly fast-made landscape scenes, especially mountains, lakes, trees, and skies, created on television using instructional wet-on-wet techniques.
What was Bob Ross net worth?
Reliable sources in the provided results do not give a verified net worth figure, so it should be left unspecified.
What was Bob Ross death?
Bob Ross died on July 4, 1995, at age 52. Sources identify lymphoma as the cause of death.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ross
    Supports: Birth/death dates, occupation, hosting *The Joy of Painting*, age at death.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Ross
    Supports: Biography, birthplace, death place, age at death, cause of death.
  3. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/bob-ross
    Supports: Identity, PBS series, cultural legacy.
  4. Florida Division of Arts and Culture — https://dos.fl.gov/cultural/programs/florida-artists-hall-of-fame/bob-ross/
    Supports: Biographical summary, birth in Daytona Beach, raising in Orlando, public recognition.