Joe E. Ross
Biography
Joe E. Ross was an American actor and comedian whose trademark Ooh! Ooh! exclamation turned up in many of his roles. Born in New York City, he left school at 16 to work as a singing waiter and soon moved into comedy. He performed in burlesque and appeared in Irving Klaw's Teaserama (1955) before Nat Hiken and Phil Silvers spotted him at a Miami Beach nightclub in 1955 and cast him as the mess sergeant Rupert Ritzik on The Phil Silvers Show. He later played Patrolman Gunther Toody on Car 54, Where Are You? and starred as Gronk in the sitcom It's About Time. In the 1970s he was a busy cartoon voice, playing Sergeant Flint on Hong Kong Phooey and Botch on Help!... It's the Hair Bear Bunch!, and he recorded an album of songs, Love Songs from a Cop.
68years old at death
- Born New York City
- Died Los Angeles
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Joseph Roszawikz (birth name)
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 20 years1950 to 1970
Every film, newest first
- 1970The BoatniksIMDb rating 5.6
- 1968The Love BugIMDb rating 6.5
- 1950The Sound of FuryIMDb rating 7.2
Genres
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Getting ready for a role
Ross's catchphrase grew out of his own frustration when he forgot his lines. Silvers would intentionally give him the wrong cues, and his genuinely confused reaction produced the "Ooh! Ooh!"
Big break
In 1938 Ross auditioned for an opening at the Queens Terrace near Jackson Heights that Jackie Gleason had held for 16 weeks, won the contract, and also stayed 16 weeks.
Big break
Nat Hiken and Phil Silvers spotted Ross at Ciro's, a Miami Beach nightclub, while planning You'll Never Get Rich, hired him on the spot, and cast him as mess sergeant Rupert Ritzik.
Beyond film
Ross was so linked to his policeman part that he made a record of songs, "Love Songs from a Cop". Roulette Records put out the LP in 1964.
Joe E. Ross movies on Netflix
Worked with
Joe E. Ross made one film with each of them. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Frank Baker's page
Lloyd Bridges's page
Harry Shannon's page
Vito Scotti's page
Iris Adrian's page
Barry Kelley's page
Robert StevensonDirector, 1 film, 1968
All films by Robert Stevenson
Cy EndfieldDirector, 1 film, 1950
All films by Cy Endfield
Norman TokarDirector, 1 film, 1970
All films by Norman Tokar
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.