Bob Ross Documentary Filmmakers Ran Into Some Happy Little Legal Hurdles

[TexasTowelie]

Last edited Fri Aug 27, 2021, 05:54 AM - Edit history (1)

Bob Ross — the artist known for his calm voice, poofy hair and unflappable demeanor — spent 31 seasons gently encouraging at-home artists to pick up their palettes to paint serene landscapes and "happy little trees."

Actor Melissa McCarthy and her husband, filmmaker Ben Falcone, were big fans of Ross and decided to produce a documentary about his life. But as they began working on the project with filmmakers Joshua Rofé and Steven Berger, they quickly realized their subject — and the legacy he left behind — was more complex than they knew.

From the outset, the filmmakers found that very few people were willing to speak with them about Ross, for fear of litigation by the owners of his estate. McCarthy says Rofé and Berger told her they had rarely encountered such hesitancy and refusal.

-snip-

Despite the legal roadblocks, McCarthy and Falcone moved ahead with the film — Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed will be released on Netflix on August 25.

Read the complete article: https://www.tpr.org/2021-08-25/bob-ross-documentary-filmmakers-ran-into-some-happy-little-legal-hurdles
(Texas Public Radio)

[CottonBear]

1. Direct link to article:

https://www.tpr.org/2021-08-25/bob-ross-documentary-filmmakers-ran-into-some-happy-little-legal-hurdles

[TexasTowelie]

2. Thanks, I edited the OP to correct the link.

[CottonBear]

3. You're welcome!

I am very interested in the documentary. Thanks for posting!

[bif]

4. He sounded like a real nice guy

Very sincere. It's too bad his son and brother got screwed. Never cared for his artwork, but he had a good heart.

[radicalleft]

6. His brother didn't get screwed...

His brother screwed over the son b/c Bob never amended the trust.

[SharonClark]

5. I enjoyed the Bob Ross documentary; he came across as a nice guy and good dad.

However, I couldn't understand why the afro was his hairstyle of choice after the doc indicated that he was really into hair styles earlier in his life.