Shavar Ross was one of the 80s television stars. Although his name might not be popular today, Ross brought laughter to American television audiences for six years on the NBC/ABC sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. His acting career progressed through the 90s until his retirement in the late 2000s.
Ross has stayed away from the spotlight since then. Although he branched into directing sometime in his late active career, he also hasn’t worked on any recent project as a director. Nonetheless, his contributions to American television do not go unnoticed. Here are 9 things you probably didn’t know about Shavar Ross.
Shavar Ross’ Father Was Also An Actor
The actor was born Shavar Malik Ross on March 4, 1971, in The Bronx, New York. He was born to American actor Hank Ross. Although not a famous name, Hank Ross starred in minor/guest roles in several movies and TV shows in his 8-year-old career before his death. A few of his notable credits included Sunnyside (1979), Youngblood (1978), and Police Story (1973). Hank Ross passed away on July 4, 1988, from a heart attack.
His Parents Separated When He Was Seven
Shavar Ross spent his early years in New York City, where he was raised with his sister. However, his parents began having issues, especially because of his father’s desire to have an acting career. Although New York was home to theater, Hank Ross wanted to expand his screen career. Inevitably, this led to Shavar Ross’ parents divorcing when he was seven years old. While his father moved to Los Angeles, his mother took him and his sister to Macon, Georgia.
Shavar Ross Was Discovered By An Agent In 1979
Although his parents were separated, Shavar Ross still had a relationship with his father. During his school’s Christmas break in 1979, Ross visited his father in Los Angeles. It was while he was in the city that he was discovered by a children’s agent, Evelyn Shultz. Shavar Ross was 8 years old at the time and was more than happy to be joining his father as an actor.
Shavar Ross’ First Recurring Role Was In Diff’rent Strokes
Shavar Ross joined the cast of Diff’rent Strokes in 1980 at age 9. He played the iconic role of Dudley Johnson, Arnold Jackson’s best friend, played by Gary Coleman. Ross’ role was introduced as a recurring character. He was one of Arnold Jackson’s classmates. Like Arnold, Dudley was adopted. His father, Ted Ramsey (Le Tari), made guest appearances on the show.
As adopted kids, Arnold and Dudley bond and create memories together. Shavar Ross played Dudley Johnson from 1980 to 1986, appearing in 46 episodes of the show. In 1983 and 1984, Shavar Ross received two Young Artist Award nominations for Best Young Actor in a Comedy Series.
He Appeared In Several Other Notable TV Shows
With the popularity and success of the Diff’rent Strokes TV show, Shavar Ross, considered a cute little boy by many viewers, was a well-known face. In 1981, he guest-starred in 2 episodes of Benson as Mike Hopkins and also appeared on Alice TV series that same year. In 1982, Ross landed his first voice role, voicing Our Gang kid Billie “Buckwheat” Thomas in the Hanna-Barbera TV animated series version of The Little Rascals. Ross’ character appeared in 33 episodes of the show.
Also, in the 1980s, Shavar Ross guest-starred in MacGyver (1985), Magnum, P.I. (1986–1988), and Designing Women (1989). In the 90s, he joined the list of actors who guest-starred in the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful (1991). Ross appeared in 2 episodes playing Jason Owens. He also played Noah in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1992), appeared in 13 episodes of Family Matters (1992–1994), and in an episode of Chicago Hope (1995) and The Steve Harvey Show (1998).
Shavar Ross Also Raked In Movie Credits
Shavar Ross first appeared in a TV movie, To Climb a Mountain (1982), before making his feature film debut in 1985. Interestingly, Ross starred alongside his father in Booker, in which Ross portrayed the younger Booker T. Washington. His father appeared in a cameo as a Black Man on Road. Ross’s performance did not go unnoticed, as he received a special achievement award at the 1984 Youth in Film Awards, presented to him by actress Drew Barrymore.
Shavar Ross made his feature debut in the fifth installment of the Friday the 13th franchise, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning (1985). Ross played Reggie the son of George (Vernon Washington), Pinehurst Halfway House psychiatric hospital’s cook. Although panned by critics, Friday the 13th: A New Beginning was a commercial success, grossing $21.9 million with a $2.2 million budget. Shavar Ross also portrayed Tina Turner’s adopted child, Micheal Turner, in the 1993 biographical film What’s Love Got to Do with It.
Shavar Ross Attended Bible School And Became A Church Founder
Shavar Ross answered a spiritual calling to become a pastor. He enrolled at and graduated from Crenshaw Christian Center auxiliary Bible School, The Ministry Training Institute, in 1996, at age 25. Upon completing the four-year program, Ross founded The Alive Church, a non-denominational Christian church located in Los Angeles. Shavar Ross was the head pastor of The Alive Church for four years before stepping down.
He Made His Directorial Debut In 2003
After stepping down as head pastor of his church, Shavar Ross founded his production company, Tri 7 Entertainment, in mid-2001. Under the company, he made his directorial debut with the 2003 short film Soul to Take. Besides writing its screenplay, Ross also starred in a supporting role as Trey Williams. The next year, he wrote and directed another short film, A Taste of Us (2004). His last produced movie was the 2007 family comedy-drama Lord Help Us, which he also wrote and directed.
He’s A Husband And Father
Shavar Ross is married to Jacqueline Ross. Ross married his beautiful wife at age 21, on December 15, 1992. The marriage has produced two children; a son, Seven Shavar Ross (born August 24, 1993), and a daughter, Chelsea Lynn Ross (born February 26, 2005). Jacqueline Ross is credited as an executive producer in Shavar Ross’ last two produced movies, A Taste of Us and Lord Help Us. If you enjoyed reading about Diff’rent Strokes’ Shavar Ross, read 10 things you didn’t know about Diff’rent Strokes’ Gary Coleman.
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