The film is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on August 25th and tackles the artist’s personal life and legal battles.
Bob Ross, the host of 1983’s genre-transforming instructional art program The Joy of Painting, captivated global audiences with his peaceful approach to art. His legacy of feel-good phrases, including “there are no mistakes, only happy accidents” and “the joy of painting is the friends you make along the way,” are still some of the most quotable lines today.
The Joy of Painting won three Emmy Awards and aired for a remarkable 31 seasons from 1983 to 1994. Ross passed away the following year due to lymphoma. The show has since reemerged in the age of streaming. The curly-haired painter has posthumously become a cultural icon among new generations and a cult figure in internet culture. He has spawned countless “wholesome” memes and inspires a crowd that wasn’t even born when he died.
Documenting his Life
Recognising Ross’s immeasurable influence on today’s culture, Netflix has announced and produced a film. The service is releasing a documentary to delve into the “shockingly untold story” of the painter’s life, titled Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed.
Directed by Joshua Rofé, the documentary will unfold “a sinister tale surrounding his name and the empire that was built on it. Being hijacked by once trusted partners, whose slow betrayal of him continued beyond his death in 1995.”
The documentary will focus heavily on what happened to Ross’s TV empire after his death at the age of 52. Most specifically, Annette and Walt Kowalski, who waged a number of legal battles aimed at gaining control of the Ross brand. It led to a messy situation that exists to this day, in which Bob Ross Inc. and the late painter’s family still remain at odds.
“The man who famously said that there were no mistakes just happy accidents has brought sheer delight to the world. Beyond the iconic hair, soothing voice and nostalgic paintings lie a mystery that many have yet to discover.”
Source: Hypebeast
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal & Greed will premiere on Netflix on August 25.
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