Monty Ross facts for kids

Monty Austin Ross (born March 7, 1957) is an American film producer and director. He helps make movies! He started a film company called 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks with famous director Spike Lee. Together, they made many well-known films like She's Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), Jungle Fever (1991), Malcolm X (1992), and Crooklyn (1994).

Early Life and Education

Monty Austin Ross was born on March 7, 1957, in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were Gladys Ross, a social worker, and Ewing Ross, a minister and hardware store owner.

Monty Ross went to Clark Atlanta University. There, he met Spike Lee. They both studied mass media and were part of a film club called the AUC Newsreel. They learned a lot about making films together.

Making Movies

Monty Ross is a well-known independent filmmaker. He worked closely with Spike Lee for many years. They even started their own film company, 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks.

Their first project together was Spike Lee's master's degree film, Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads. Monty Ross also acted in this film. They continued to make many movies throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Some of these popular films include She's Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, and Crooklyn.

Independent Projects

After working on Crooklyn, Monty Ross started making his own films. He produced Keep the Faith, Baby, which was a movie about Adam Clayton Powell Jr.. He also produced a film called Escaping Jersey and directed another one called Reasons.

Current Work

Monty Ross later rejoined 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. He helped with community programs and found interns for the movie Inside Man.

He is currently working with Spike Lee again. They are creating a TV show based on the movie She's Gotta Have It. Monty Ross also teaches at universities like VCU and Clark Atlanta.

In 2019, Monty Ross directed a film called The Opera Game. This movie takes place in 19th-century New Orleans. It won an award at the 2019 San Diego Black Film Festival.

Since 2017, Ross has been the President of Operations for Soulidifly Productions. He is also the Filmmaker-in-Residence at Ours Studios LLC. This company is releasing a documentary called "As If We Were Ghosts." It tells the story of how the achievements of Black high school students in Georgia were often overlooked.

Theatre Work

Besides making movies, Monty Ross also worked in theatre. He was an actor with the Atlanta Street Theatre early in his career.

Personal Life

Monty Ross was born in Omaha, Nebraska. He has been married to Carol Ross and Jeanette Roberts-Ross.

See also

In Spanish: Monty Ross para niños