Person Biography:
Ross Elliott, born Elliott Blum on June 18, 1917, in New York City, was a talented actor who spent over four decades in the entertainment industry. Growing up in the Bronx, he began his acting career as a teenager, appearing in plays at summer camps and high school. After graduating from New York City College in 1937, he pursued a degree in law but ultimately decided to focus on acting.
Elliott's early career included stints with the Orson Welles Mercury Theatre, where he appeared in various productions, including "Julius Caesar" and "The Shoemaker's Holiday." He also took part in the infamous "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast in 1938. His career was interrupted by a tour of duty in the Army, during which he appeared in several touring shows, including "This Is the Army."
After his honorable discharge, Elliott returned to professional acting and went on to appear in numerous films and television shows. Some of his notable roles include "Woman on the Run," "The Beast from 20,000 Fathoms," and "The Twilight Zone." He also played a recurring role as Lucy Ricardo's director in the classic Vitameatavegamin commercial episode of "I Love Lucy" and appeared frequently as a straight man for Jack Benny on his long-running TV show.
In his later years, Elliott's career slowed down, and he turned to real estate. He made his final film appearance in "Scorpion" in 1986 and passed away on August 12, 1999, at the age of 82, due to cancer.
