Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
September 11, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
A quiet encyclopedia with a personal desk
Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Screen & Stage • 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.

Updated September 11, 20261 min readCited sources

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.

What it is

Bob Ross became a household name through *The Joy of Painting*, an instructional series that aired on PBS in the United States and CBC in Canada. The show featured his calm teaching style and wet-on-wet oil painting technique, producing landscape scenes with mountains, lakes, trees, and skies. Ross was widely recognized for his signature phrase “happy little trees.”

Key details

Ross was born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He hosted *The Joy of Painting* from 1983 to 1994. He died on July 4, 1995, at age 52 from lymphoma-related complications. His work is remembered for its accessible method and calming presentation, and reruns remain popular online.

Why it matters

Ross became a cultural icon after his death, with his image and teaching style enduring through reruns and digital platforms. *The Joy of Painting* aired on CBC in Canada, making him familiar to Canadian television audiences. His legacy continues to inspire new generations of painters.

In short

  • Bob Ross created and hosted *The Joy of Painting* (1983–1994) on PBS and CBC.
  • He was known for his calm teaching style and “happy little trees” landscape paintings.
  • Ross died in 1995 at age 52 from lymphoma-related complications.
Canadian angle

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

Quick 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 was Bob Ross death?
Bob Ross died on July 4, 1995, at age 52. Sources identify lymphoma as the cause of death.

Sources

  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.