Known for his gentle voice (and iconic ‘fro!), Bob Ross left behind more than just happy little trees from his hugely popular painting TV show.
You won’t believe who tried to control his name after his death.
This is the one of the best investigative biographical documentaries I’ve seen.
Trailer for “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents Betrayal & Greed”
Watch “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents Betrayal & Greed”
You can watch it on Netflix here: https://www.netflix.com/title/81155081.
It’s a Netflix Original so you won’t likely find it anywhere else.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 92/100
- IMDB Rating: 6.9 /10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 71/100 (Users); 80/100 (Critics)
Release Date: August 25, 2024
My Review of “Bob Ross: Happy Accidents Betrayal & Greed”
“Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed” starts as a warm tribute to the beloved painter, only to pull you into a tangled story of exploitation and family drama.
You think you’re settling in for a peaceful homage to an artist who made landscape painting feel accessible, but halfway through, the mood changes.
The doc uncovers a world of corporate greed behind the canvas, with Bob Ross’ business partners, Annette and Walt Kowalski, at the heart of it.
The Legacy War
This doc is not just about Ross’ life on screen. It’s a battle for his name and legacy, waged by those who claim ownership of his likeness.
Directed by Joshua Rofé (“Sasquatch”), this 92-minute film tells the darker side of the Ross empire.
While Ross’ son, Steve, tries to reclaim control over his father’s image, the Kowalskis, Ross’ long-time business partners, are cast as corporate villains, holding onto a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
The doc points fingers at the relentless commercialization of Ross’ image. The happy clouds? Still there. But now they’re on coffee mugs, T-shirts, and branded art kits, which generate millions annually, none of which goes to Steve.
Rofé has a knack for pushing uncomfortable truths into the light (his past work dives into conspiracies and true crime). This doc is no exception.
He juxtaposes clips of Ross’ calming presence on “The Joy of Painting” with testimonies about betrayal and greed, making for an unsettling shift in tone. The timeline swings between the 1980s and early 1990s, showing Ross’ meteoric rise in popularity and the formation of Bob Ross Inc. (BRI) in partnership with the Kowalskis.
But the heart of the story is Ross’ deathbed saga—a desperate attempt to protect his legacy for his son. According to Steve Ross, the Kowalskis manipulated his father into signing over rights to his name as he was dying of cancer.
The Painting Beneath the Painting
Beyond the legal wrangling, Rofé peels back layers of Ross’ personal life. One touching anecdote from the doc reveals how Bob Ross designed his show to be more than just a painting lesson.
He wanted to create a space where people felt relaxed and valued, often whispering encouraging words like “You can do this.” This simplicity struck a deep chord with viewers, many of whom were dealing with stress, grief, or depression.
But as much as Ross gave, it seems he was also being taken advantage of.
It gets stranger.
As the doc unfolds, we learn that Ross had strained relationships, not only with the Kowalskis but also within his family.
He kept his second marriage a secret from his fans. In what might be one of the most bizarre details, Ross’ signature perm wasn’t his idea. He hated it.
It was initially a marketing gimmick, designed to make him instantly recognizable.
You Can’t Make This $hit Up
The Kowalskis claimed Bob Ross’ hair was part of his “brand.”
Yes, that perm—beloved by millions—was created by marketers, and Ross resented it. You can’t make this stuff up.
The Uncomfortable Shift
Rofé’s documentary builds tension in small, uncomfortable ways. For example, we watch as Walt Kowalski—once a hero in Ross’ rise to fame—begins to resemble a corporate antagonist.
The Kowalskis are a constant presence, guiding Ross’ career, but their portrayal here makes you question every business decision that grew the Bob Ross empire.
There’s a striking moment when Steve Ross reflects on how much his father loved nature, but that very love became commercialized to the point of losing its soul.
But it’s important to remember that not all the allegations are one-sided. Annette Kowalski, interviewed in the film, maintains that her intentions were pure.
She speaks about the genuine friendship she shared with Ross and insists that BRI did nothing wrong. The doc, however, leaves viewers questioning the blurred lines between friendship, business, and betrayal. It’s clear that the battle for Bob Ross’ legacy is ongoing.
Wrap Up
“Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed” is a hard-hitting investigation that lifts the curtain on what was supposed to be a simple, peaceful world of landscape painting. This isn’t just a documentary about a TV painter. It’s about control, greed, and family scars that run deeper than any oil painting can convey.
The film ultimately asks: what price do we pay for fame, and who owns a person’s legacy? You’ll walk away thinking twice the next time you see that famous Bob Ross mug smiling back at you in a gift shop.
Thanks for reading!
Rob Kelly, Chief Maniac, Daily Doc