Larry Ross
AEA, SAG/AFTRA
Actor, Dancer, Narrator, Teacher
Experienced Speaker, Teacher, Q&A Moderator
Larry Ross is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he attended class with Robert Redford. However, his first stage appearance was in GOOD NEWS at Charleston Air Force Base where he was stationed during the Korean War. After being discharged from the Air Force and graduating from AADA he continued studying dance.
After many productions of WEST SIDE STORY, where Mr. Ross played the part of Action, he went on tour with HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING. Returning to New York he went into the Broadway production, planning to go back “on the road”. However, before he had a chance to go “back on the road” he was asked to join the original cast of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. In FIDDLER, Mr. Ross performed as “Motel, the Tailor, Mendel, The Rabbi’s Son, and The Fiddler,” with Zero Mostel, Herschel Bernardi, Luther Adler, Harry Goz, Paul Lipson and opera greats Robert Merrill and Jan Peerce. In the cast was a young, Bette Midler. While in FIDDLER, he spent his days teaching at The International Dance School in Carnegie Hall.
Upon leaving FIDDLER he went on tours of IRMA LA DOUCE with Elke Sommer; and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (with his beloved hero Zero Mostel); and as Sam Feinschreiber in the non-musical production of Clifford Odets’ AWAKE AND SING at the Hartford Stage in Connecticut.
He returned to New York to play the part of Ned in the Broadway production of FRANK MERRIWELL which also starred Liz Sheridan, who went on to play Jerry Seinfeld’s Mother on television.
When FRANK MERRIWELL ended its run Mr. Ross went on the road again, this time as Amschel, the oldest son, in THE ROTHSCHILDS with Theodore Bikel.
Never one to let grass grow under his unemployment checks, Mr. Ross was Assistant to Stuart Hodes as Dance Associate for the New York State Council on the Arts, where they were responsible for $2,000,000 of NY State money earmarked for not-for-profit dance companies throughout the State. Also, in the same period, he assisted Mr. Hodes with the youth company of the Harkness Ballet. This youth company was called BALLET CROSSROADS and performed outreach programs for schools and groups throughout the U.S. Mr. Ross, as well as rehearsing the company, narrated the performances.
Mr. Ross’ final appearance on the Broadway stage was a 3 year run in ANNIE. He played several parts and understudied the great Gary Beach as Rooster, Ms. Hannigan’s evil brother.
After retiring from the stage, Mr. Ross taught for 3 years in Saddle River, NJ teaching theater and related subjects. He left Saddle River to accept a position as Business Representative for Actors Equity Association. After 3 years at AEA, Mr. Ross moved on to become the Director of Subscriptions for THE CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY OF LINCOLN CENTER, followed by 3 years as Business Representative for Local 802 of the AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS ending his career as Business Representative for SSDC (now SDC) THE SOCIETY OF STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS, representing all stage directors and choreographers throughout the United States.
Mr. Ross would be delighted to share his knowledge, speak, narrate, or answer any questions.