He moved to Dayton, Ohio, with his family when he was 7. He was working as an MC at at club there during the 1950s when he entered the US Air Force. After his discharge, he continued to pursue his show business career. In films, he portrayed Bitterman in
Arthur (1981) and its sequel Arthur 2: On the Rocks (1988).
Won Broadway's 1975 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor
(Musical) for playing the Cowardly Lion in "The Wiz," a role he
recreated in the film version of the same name, The Wiz (1978).
His ashes were sprinkled outside downtown Dayton.
Ted Ross was a swinger and used to throw orgies at his house.