Monty Ross

Monty Ross is an American filmmaker. He is most recognized from his work with Spike Lee including, She's Gotta Have It, Do the Right Thing and Malcolm X.

Film making

Ross is most notable for co-producing films with Spike Lee, with whom he co-founded 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. They first met at Morehouse College, where both took film making courses. Ross appeared in Lee's master's degree thesis film, Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads. He co-produced many films with Lee through the 1980s and 1990s, including She's Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Malcolm X and Crooklyn.

Following the production of Crooklyn, Ross took a seven-year break from 40 Acres. Most of this break involved producing Keep the Faith, Baby, a biopic about Adam Clayton Powell Jr. He also produced Escaping Jersey and directed Reasons during this period.

On re-joining 40 Acres, Ross became the coordinator for the company's community outreach programmes, recruiting interns to assist with the production of Inside Man. Ross currently working with Spike Lee in the "She's gotta have it TV Spin-off of the movie that he co-produced.

Theatre

As well as filmmaking, Ross is also involved with Atlanta Street Theatre, where he spent some of his early career as an actor.

Personal life

Ross was born in Omaha, Nebraska, his parents divorced when he was young. He is married to Carol Ross.

The Present

Ross now lives in Amherst, Massachusetts. He has an older son named Austin Ross.