Anthony Ross (born Rosenthal, February 23, 1909 – October 26, 1955) was an American character actor whose career extended to Broadway stage, television and film.
Born in New York City, Ross was the son of Charles M. Rosenthal and Cora S. Rosenthal; he had his name changed legally. He was a graduate of Brown University and, while living in France, continued his studies at the Sorbonne and the University of Nancy.Barron, Mark. "Broadway, Sights, Sidelights" (Lewiston Evening Journal, October 27, 1950, p. 10)"Anthony Ross, Actor, Dead at 46; Portrayed Professor in 'Bus Stop'" (The New York Times, October 27, 1955, p. 33) He may be best remembered for being the first to play the character of the "Gentleman Caller" in the original 1944 production of Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. Ross made his Broadway debut in Whistling in the Dark (1932). He also appeared on Broadway as Leo in The Greatest Show on Earth (1938), and as a fictionalized version of Harold Ross, the founding editor of The New Yorker, in the 1950 Wolcott Gibbs comedy Season in the Sun.
Ross appeared in 20th Century Fox films including Kiss of Death (1947) and The Gunfighter (1950); in the Warner Bros. courtroom drama Perfect Strangers (1950) the Nicholas Ray-directed film noir On Dangerous Ground (1952) and in the popular serial Mysterious Island (1951). He also appeared as the "Producer" in The Country Girl, both the movie and the Broadway production as well as the "Professor" in the Broadway production of Bus Stop.Calta, Louis. "Inge's 'Bus Stop' Set to Rehearse / Anthony Ross Is Signed for Featured Role in Play Due to Open Next Month" (The New York Times, January 8, 1955, p. 10)
He appeared in many television productions, including the 1954 CBS series The Telltale Clue in which he starred as police captain Richard Hale.
Personal life He and his wife, Mary Jean Copeland, who was the assistant stage manager for the Broadway production of The Glass Menagerie, were the parents of a son, Stephen.
Death Ross was 46 when he died of a heart attack while sleeping in his apartment at 506 East 89th Street in Manhattan. A few hours earlier, he had played the supporting role of The Professor at the Tuesday evening performance of Bus Stop (play) at the Music Box Theatre.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1944 Winged Victory Ross Uncredited1947 Boomerang Warren Uncredited1947 Kiss of Death 'Big Ed' Williams 1949 The Window Detective Ross Uncredited1950 The Vicious Years Police Insp. Umberto Spezia 1950 Perfect Strangers Robert (Bob) Fisher 1950 The Gunfighter Deputy Charlie Norris 1950 The Skipper Surprised His Wife Joe Rossini 1950 Between Midnight and Dawn Police Lt. Masterson 1950 The Flying Missile Adm. Bradley 1951 On Dangerous Ground Pete Santos 1953 Girls in the Night Charlie Haynes 1953 Taxi Mr. Alexander 1954 Rogue Cop Father Ahearn 1954 The Country Girl Philip Cook (final film role)
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