Buzz
Bob Ross's iconic fluffy hairstyle perfectly matched his calm and soothing personality, but its origins were far from natural or intentional.
The tale of his hair isn’t about a fashion statement or a decision made by television producers. That wasn’t Bob Ross's style. Instead, it stemmed from two relatable factors: cutting costs and building a recognizable image.
In the early 1980s, Ross transitioned into a career as a painter and instructor following two decades in the U.S. Air Force. His mentor, Bill Alexander, was retiring and asked Ross to continue his classes. Ross accepted, traveling across the country in a motorhome to teach Alexander’s “wet-on-wet” painting method. He promised his wife Jane he’d give it a year, and if it didn’t work out financially, he’d head back to Alaska.
Achieving success wasn’t immediate—or even guaranteed—during his travels. To save money, Ross opted for a perm to avoid frequent haircuts. This unconventional cost-cutting measure might have faded into obscurity if not for a growing brand in need of marketable imagery.
“Once we launched a line of paints and brushes, we featured his image on the packaging,” explained Annette Kowalski, co-founder of the Bob Ross Company. “The logo showcases Bob with his iconic hair, so he couldn’t change it. He wasn’t always thrilled about that.”
Nevertheless, Ross understood the value of his image and kept the hairstyle, knowing it was beneficial for his brand. He maintained his distinctive curly look throughout his life. While it’s difficult to picture Ross without his classic button-up shirt and neatly styled curls, revisiting episodes of The Joy of Painting reveals a few subtle, entertaining variations.
Even more intriguing is a glimpse of Ross before his iconic hairstyle, courtesy of Uproxx:
Uproxx/Imgur
Uproxx/Imgur
