Omaha native, Monty Ross grew up on Blondo Street, just two blocks shy of 24th Street on the near north side of Omaha, NE. His formal education began at Conestoga Elementary, Tech Jr. High, and he received his high school diploma from North High School in 1975. To earn income, he bagged groceries, delivered the Omaha World Herald, and worked on construction 
projects with his mentors Mr. Luther Boykins and Mr. Monroe. His love of film began at the infamous Ritz Theatre, where he eat hot buttered popcorn while watching such films as Beach Party Bingo or Corn Bread, Earl and Me. Summer nights were spent perfecting his jump shot at the outdoor Bryant Recreational Center and after the workout; he would grab a side order of ribs dipped in barbeque sauce and an orange soda from the world's famous Skeet's Barbeque. While he loved to hear the uplifting sermons of the late Rev. J.C. Wade, Sr. at Salem Baptist Church, he also got his start as an actor in gospel musical theatre under the direction of Ms. Doretha Wade.
After graduating from high school, Ross completed his Bachelor of Arts degree at Clark College (Clark-Atlanta University) located in Atlanta, GA and has been involved in the film and television industry ever since. Ross began his career as an actor with the Clark College Players under the direction of Joan Lewis and got his professional start as an actor performing two shows a day for inner-city youth with the award winning troupe: the Atlanta Street Theatre. To supplement his acting career, Ross turned his attention to television production and landed a position as Stage Manager and Floor Director with one of Atlanta's leading television stations WSB-TV Channel 2. However, it was Spike Lee that offered Ross an opportunity he couldn't refuse; the lead role in his thesis film Joe's Bedstuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads. The film went on to earn major film awards, including top honors from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
“It wasn’t evident at the time that what would follow would be a major change in the perception of African-American independent cinema,” says Ross, referring to the next 20 years of his career. “What resulted was a major movement
that captured the ear of Hollywood and continues even today.” It began when Ross teamed with Spike again, this time not as an actor, but as the production supervisor on the acclaimed ground breaking independent film She's Gotta Have It. Guiding the production, driving the van, coordinating equipment, film, wardrobe, props, and ensuring that each department could carry out their assigned tasks effectively, were only a few of Ross’ tasks. The principal photography was completed in 12 days and the final cost of the film was $175,000. When released, it grossed nearly $7 Million in box office receipts.
After the success of the film, Ross was asked to remain at 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks, Spike Lee's production company. Ross worked feverously with Spike as a Producer/Co-Producer as well as Vice President of Production, managing day-to-day operations and assisting Spike in developing a long-term growth strategy for the young company. To stabilize the company and take advantage of its rising popularity, a string of films were launched that proved to be profitable, entertaining and in some cases controversial for audiences around the globe. Some of those early films have since become household classics, they are: Clockers, & Crooklyn, for Universal Pictures; Malcolm X, for Warner Bros.; Jungle Fever, Mo' Better Blues, and Do the Right Thing, for MCA Universal; and School Daze, for Columbia Pictures.
Additional Projects
As an Independent producer, Ross produced Keep The Faith, Baby: The Life and Times of the Legendary New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. for Showtime/Paramount Pictures; three short films: 1-900-Date Lucy; The Dog Is Barking; and The Jefferson School: A Reflection. Documentaries have included: From Welfare to Work, hosted by Nia Long, and After Affirmative Action, hosted by Malcolm Jamal Warner. Each documentary was syndicated to over 100 television stations, reaching the top 10% of markets for African-American programs. Commercials have been produced for: ESPN, Nike, Levis, and music videos have been produced for: The GZA, Ghostface Killa of The WuTang Clang, Tommy Boy Records, Geffen Records, and Penalty Records. After completing projects for Showtime Networks, Universal Pictures, and Syndicate Productions in Los Angeles, CA, Ross has returned to 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks in Brooklyn, NY as a Special Project Coordinator. His passion for the industry has not only fueled a major impact on the Hollywood arena but also paved futures for a myriad of young professionals.
Awards
1983 Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Student Academy Award for Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads; Cannes Film Festival's Prix de Jeunesse, 1986, for She's Gotta Have It; two Academy Award nominations for Do the Right Thing
LITERARY REFERENCES
School Daze: The Construction of School Daze, Simon & Shuster
By Any Means Necessary: The Trials and Tribulations of Making Malcolm X, Hyperion, 1992
Actors Worked With
Vanessa Williams (Keep The Faith, Baby - The Life and Times of the Legendary New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.)
Jasmine Guy (School Daze)
Mel Jackson (Reasons)
LisaRaye (Reasons)
Harry Lennox (Keep The Faith, Baby - The Life and Times of the Legendary New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.)
Wesley Snipes (Mo' Better Blues)
Martin Lawrence (Do the Right Thing)
Academy Award nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson (School Daze, Do The Thing, Mo Betta Blues, Jungle Fever)
LaTonya Richardson-Jackson (1-900-Date Lucy, Malcolm X)
Academy Award winners Halle Berry (Jungle Fever)
Denzel Washington (Mo' Better Blues)
Rick Aiello (Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Clockers)
Jannifer White (Do The Right Thing)
Thomas Jefferson Byrd (Clockers)
Ossie Davis [School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X (narrating the actual eulogy he delivered at Malcolm X's funeral)
Rudy Dee (Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever)
Giancarlo Esposito (School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X) Michael Imperioli [Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Clockers)
Lonette McKee (Jungle Fever, Malcolm X)
Bill Nunn (School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues)
Roger Guenveur Smith (School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X)
John Turturro (Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Jungle Fever, Clockers)
Isaiah Washington (Crooklyn, Clockers)
Steve White (Do the Right Thing, Mo' Better Blues, Malcolm X, Clockers)
Producers
Preston Holmes (Do The Right Thing, Mo Betta Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clockers)
Jon Kilik (Do The Right Thing, Mo Betta Blues, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Crooklyn, Clokers, Inside Man)
Harry Fuland (Keep The Faith, Baby)
Grace Blake (School Daze)
Loretha Jones (School Daze)
Geoffrey Garfield (GZA, Ghostface Killa, Keep The Faith, Baby: The Life and Times of The Legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.)
Directors
Doug Mac Henry (Keep The Faith, Baby: The Life and Times of The Legendary Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.)
MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTORS
Little X - (Storyboard Artist - The GZA Liquid Swords)
Bryan Barber (Players Holiday)
Advisory
Youth Entertainment Studios, Harry Young, President
Norfolk State University, Dr. Wanda Brockington, Ph.D.
Museum African American Cinema, Gregory Javan Mills, MA
African-American Literary And Media Group, Nancy Gilliam
Clark Atlanta University, Division of Communication Arts, Film and TV, Atlanta, GA
Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting, P A Training Program, New York, NY
City of New York Parks & Recreation, Film Training, Red Hook, NY
Tribeca Film Institute, Tribeca All Access, Tribeca Film Festival, New York, NY
Sovereign New Media Group LTD, Newton A. Hinds
SILAS, Dr. Roland Wiggins, PhD
SOL Film Festival, Tyson Hall, Founder
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Hollywood In Dekalb County, Dekalb County, Dekalb, GA. - Prepared Feasibility Study Proposal
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