Jonathan Ross facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Ross OBE
Ross in 2017
Born	Jonathan Stephen Ross (1960-11-17) 17 November 1960 (age 64) London, England
Alma mater	Southampton College of Art, School of Slavonic and Eastern European Studies, University College London
Occupation	Broadcaster film critic actor comedian writer producer
Years active	1970–present
Employer	BBC (1997–2010, 2014–2018) Channel 4 (1987–2007, 2009–2014, 2018–present) ITV (1991–2006, 2009, 2011–present)
Notable work	Friday Night with Jonathan Ross Film The Jonathan Ross Show The Masked Singer The Masked Dancer
Spouse(s)	Jane Goldman ​ (m. 1988)​
Children	3
Parent(s)	Martha Ross (mother)
Relatives	Paul Ross (brother)

Jonathan Stephen Ross (born 17 November 1960) is a famous English TV presenter, film critic, comedian, and writer. He is well-known for hosting many popular shows.

For over a decade, he hosted the chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC One. He also had his own radio show on BBC Radio 2. Jonathan Ross was also the film critic for the BBC's Film programme.

After leaving the BBC in 2010, he started hosting The Jonathan Ross Show on ITV. He has also been a judge on the popular music show The Masked Singer and its spin-off The Masked Dancer.

Jonathan Ross began his career as a TV researcher. He first became a presenter in 1987 on The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross. He has won several awards, including three BAFTA awards for Best Entertainment Performance. In 2005, he received an OBE award for his work in broadcasting. He has also written comic books like Turf.

Early Life and School

Jonathan Stephen Ross was born on 17 November 1960 in St Pancras, North London. He grew up in Leytonstone, East London. His mother, Martha Ross, was an actress. Jonathan has four brothers and one sister. His younger brother, Paul Ross, is also a well-known journalist.

When Jonathan was 10 years old, he appeared in a TV advertisement for Kellogg's Rice Krispies. He also appeared in an ad for Persil laundry detergent.

Jonathan went to Norlington School for Boys and Leyton County High School for Boys. He later studied at the Southampton College of Art. He also earned a degree in Modern European History from the School of Slavonic and East European Studies (SSEES) in London. This school is now part of University College London.

Jonathan started his adult career as a researcher for the Channel 4 show Loose Talk. He then worked on other shows before becoming a researcher for Soul Train. His first TV appearance as an extra was in 1981 in an episode of It Ain't Half Hot, Mum.

Jonathan Ross's Career Highlights

Starting with Channel X (1987–1995)

While working on Solid Soul, Jonathan Ross met Alan Marke. Together, they created The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross in 1987. This show became a big success for Ross.

They based their idea on the American show Late Night with David Letterman. They started a new company called Channel X to produce the show. Jonathan Ross ended up presenting the show himself, starting in January 1987.

The show was very popular on Channel 4. It made Jonathan Ross one of the channel's main stars. A year later, his documentary series The Incredibly Strange Film Show introduced many people to films by directors like Sam Raimi and Jackie Chan.

In 1990 and 1991, Jonathan Ross presented Jonathan Ross Presents for One Week Only. This TV series featured interviews with famous directors.

In 1989, he helped present the charity event Comic Relief. That same year, he launched One Hour with Jonathan Ross. This show helped introduce comedians like Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer to TV.

From 1991 to 2014, Ross presented the annual British Comedy Awards. He appeared in many TV shows throughout the 1990s and 2000s. He was a regular on the sports quiz They Think It's All Over. He also hosted the game show It's Only TV...But I Like It. In 1995, he left Channel X.

Film and TV Work (1995–2006)

In 1995, Jonathan Ross presented Mondo Rosso, a show about old cult films. In 1999, he took over presenting the BBC's Film programme.

Ross has also made small appearances in films. He played himself in the Spice Girls' movie Spice World (1997). He also voiced the character Doris in the UK version of Shrek 2 (2004). In 2001, he appeared as himself in Only Fools and Horses.

In March 2001, he was the subject of This Is Your Life. This show surprises famous people by telling their life story.

Radio Career (1987, 1999–2010, 2014–2018)

Jonathan Ross first worked on BBC Radio 1 in 1987. He started presenting a Saturday morning show on BBC Radio 2 in July 1999. His show on Radio 2 ended on 17 July 2010.

In August 2014, he returned to Radio 2 as a guest presenter. He then returned regularly in February 2016 to host a weekly arts show.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and Other Projects (2001–2010)

Jonathan Ross with Ricky Gervais at Live 8 in July 2005

On 2 November 2001, Jonathan Ross began hosting his comedy chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC One.

In 2004, he presented a documentary about punk rock for the BBC. In 2005, he helped cover the Live 8 concerts for the BBC. Later that year, he was awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his services to broadcasting.

In early 2006, Ross left his role as a regular on the quiz show They Think It's All Over. He said he needed to focus on his other work.

In January 2006, he presented Jonathan Ross' Asian Invasion on BBC Four. This documentary explored the film industry in Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea. His love for East Asian culture, especially Japanese anime and video games, led him to make three series of Japanorama for BBC Three.

On 16 March 2007, Ross co-hosted Comic Relief 2007. On 7 July 2007, he also helped present the Live Earth concerts, which raised awareness about climate change.

In 2010, Jonathan Ross took part in Channel 4's Comedy Gala. This show raised money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

On 7 April 2010, his first comic book, Turf, was published. Jonathan wrote it, and Tommy Lee Edwards drew the pictures.

Leaving the BBC (2010)

On 7 January 2010, Jonathan Ross announced he would leave the BBC in July 2010. This meant he would leave his chat show, radio show, and film review programme. He said his decision was not about money.

His final Friday Night chat show aired on 16 July 2010. Guests included David Beckham and Jackie Chan. Ross thanked his guests and audience. His last Radio 2 show was broadcast the next day.

Working with ITV and Channel 4 (2010–Present)

On 19 December 2010, Jonathan Ross presented 100 Greatest Toys on Channel 4. He is a big toy collector. In 2011, he started presenting Penn & Teller: Fool Us on ITV. He continued to host this show when it moved to The CW in 2014.

Ross's new chat show, The Jonathan Ross Show, began on 3 September 2011 on ITV1. It was very popular.

Jonathan Ross's Paddington Bear statue, designed for charity.

In November 2014, Jonathan Ross designed a Paddington Bear statue. It was one of fifty statues placed around London before the movie Paddington came out. The statues were then sold to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

In 2017, Ross was a team captain on the ITV show Don't Ask Me Ask Britain. On 9 September 2019, he was announced as a judge for The Masked Singer UK. This show aired on ITV starting in January 2020.

In September 2020, Ross began hosting Jonathan Ross' Comedy Club on ITV. In March 2021, it was announced he would be a judge on The Masked Dancer. In March 2023, Ross became the presenter of Saturday Night at the Movies on Classic FM.

Personal Life

Jonathan Ross married the writer and journalist Jane Goldman in 1988. They have three children: Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby, and Honey Kinny. Harvey is named after Jack Kirby, a comic book creator Jonathan admires.

In 2005, Ross was made an OBE for his work in broadcasting. He lives in Hampstead, London. He also has homes in Swanage, Dorset, and Florida, United States.

Jonathan Ross has a speech difference called rhotacism. This means he sometimes has trouble saying the "r" sound. Because of this, he is sometimes called "Wossy".

He is a big fan of pop and rock music, especially British punk rock. The first band he saw live was X-Ray Spex. He is also a huge fan of David Bowie and Roxy Music.

Ross loves science fiction, including Doctor Who. He also really likes the animation studio Studio Ghibli, especially the films of director Hayao Miyazaki. He considers Spirited Away a masterpiece.

Jonathan Ross is a big fan of comic books. He used to own a comic shop in London. In 2010, he released his first comic book, Turf.

In 2023, Jonathan Ross helped save a rare video game called Um Jammer Lammy. He allowed video game experts to access his arcade machine, which was one of the last known examples of the game.

Filmography

Television Appearances

As Himself

As an Actor

Film Appearances

Television Advertisements

Video Games

Animation Voice Roles

Awards and Recognition

• 2005: Jonathan Ross was made an OBE by Prince Charles. This award was for his great work in broadcasting.
• 2006: He became a Fellow of University College, London (UCL).
• 2012: He received a Special Recognition award at the National Television Awards.

See also

In Spanish: Jonathan Ross para niños