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IMDbPro

Ted Ross(1934-2002)

  • Actor
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Ted Ross
Theatrical Trailer from Universal Pictures
Play trailer3:31
The Wiz (1978)
1 Video
11 Photos
He moved to Dayton, Ohio, with his family when he was 7. He was working as an MC at at club there during the 1950s when he entered the US Air Force. After his discharge, he continued to pursue his show business career. In films, he portrayed Bitterman in Arthur (1981) and its sequel Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988).

Other films include The Wiz (1978), Ragtime (1981), Amityville II: The Possession (1982), Police Academy (1984), The Fisher King (1991) and Stealing Home (1988). Television roles included a recurring role as Dean Harris on A Different World (1987) and The Cosby Show (1984) along with appearing in numerous shows such as The Jeffersons (1975), Benson (1979) and "The Equalizer" (1985).
BornJune 30, 1934
DiedSeptember 3, 2002(68)
BornJune 30, 1934
DiedSeptember 3, 2002(68)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank

Photos10

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Known for

Dudley Moore in Arthur (1981)
Arthur
6.9
  • Bitterman
  • 1981
Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ted Ross, and Nipsey Russell in The Wiz (1978)
The Wiz
5.6
  • Lion
  • Fleetwood Coupe de Ville
  • 1978
Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli in Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988)
Arthur 2: On the Rocks
4.7
  • Bitterman
  • 1988
Police Academy (1984)
Police Academy
6.7
  • Capt. Reed
  • 1984

Credits

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IMDbPro

Actor



  • Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges in The Fisher King (1991)
    The Fisher King
    7.5
    • Limo Bum
    • 1991
  • American Masters (1985)
    American Masters
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Narrator
    • 1989
  • Jodie Foster and Mark Harmon in Stealing Home (1988)
    Stealing Home
    6.6
    • Bud Scott
    • 1988
  • Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli in Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988)
    Arthur 2: On the Rocks
    4.7
    • Bitterman
    • 1988
  • Jasmine Guy, Sinbad, Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Lou Myers, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman in A Different World (1987)
    A Different World
    7.1
    TV Series
    • Dean Harris
    • 1987–1988
  • Marla Gibbs, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Alaina Reed-Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, and Hal Williams in 227 (1985)
    227
    6.7
    TV Series
    • Judge Eckworth
    • 1987
  • Lisa Bonet, Bill Cosby, Tempestt Bledsoe, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Phylicia Rashad, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner in The Cosby Show (1984)
    The Cosby Show
    7.4
    TV Series
    • Dean Harris
    • 1987
  • The Equalizer (1985)
    The Equalizer
    7.8
    TV Series
    • Pike
    • 1986
  • What's Happening Now! (1985)
    What's Happening Now!
    6.2
    TV Series
    • Leon
    • 1986
  • MacGruder and Loud (1985)
    MacGruder and Loud
    6.6
    TV Series
    • Sgt. Debbin
    • 1985
  • Police Academy (1984)
    Police Academy
    6.7
    • Capt. Reed
    • 1984
  • The Wiz
    7.1
    Video
    • Lion
    • 1983
  • Amityville II: The Possession (1982)
    Amityville II: The Possession
    5.6
    • Mr. Booth
    • 1982
  • High Five
    TV Movie
    • Calvin T. Washburn
    • 1982
  • Purlie (1982)
    Purlie
    8.2
    TV Movie
    • 1982

Soundtrack



  • Doug Walker in Nostalgia Critic (2007)
    Nostalgia Critic
    7.5
    TV Series
    • performer: "(I'm A) Mean Ole Lion", "Be A Lion", "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day"
    • 2012
  • David Copperfield in The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari (1980)
    The Magic of David Copperfield III: Levitating Ferrari
    8.1
    TV Special
    • performer: "A Brand New Day"
    • 1980
  • Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Ted Ross, and Nipsey Russell in The Wiz (1978)
    The Wiz
    5.6
    • performer: "I'm A Mean Ole Lion", "Ease On Down The Road #3", "Be A Lion", "Everybody Rejoice/A Brand New Day"
    • 1978
  • Johnny Carson in The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962)
    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
    8.5
    TV Series
    • performer: "Be A Lion"
    • 1976
  • Mike Douglas in The Mike Douglas Show (1961)
    The Mike Douglas Show
    7.1
    TV Series
    • performer: "Ease On Down The Road"
    • 1976
  • Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell (1975)
    Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell
    5.3
    TV Series
    • performer: "Ease On Down The Road" (uncredited)
    • 1975

Videos1

The Wiz
Trailer 3:31
The Wiz

Personal details

Edit
  • Height
    • 5′ 10″ (1.78 m)
  • Born
    • June 30, 1934
    • Zanesville, Ohio, USA
  • Died
    • September 3, 2002
    • Dayton, Ohio, USA(complications from a stroke)
  • Children
    • No Children
  • Parents
    • Elizabeth Russell
  • Other works
    In 1975 Ross won the Tony Award for best featured actor in a musical for his role as the Lion in 'The Wiz'.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Article

Did you know

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  • Trivia
    Won Broadway's 1975 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Musical) for playing the Cowardly Lion in "The Wiz," a role he recreated in the film version of the same name, The Wiz (1978).

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