Ricco Ross is an American actor, writer, and producer whose career spans over four decades in film, television, theater, and international modeling. He is best known for his role as Private Frost in James Cameron's 1986 sci-fi action classic Aliens, a performance that cemented him as a cult favorite in genre cinema.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ross was raised in a large family of 11 children. His early years were shaped by resilience, discipline, and an enduring love for storytelling. After a challenging childhood that included a formative move to Pembroke, Illinois—once named the poorest town in America—Ross discovered acting through a high school theater production. The experience sparked a passion that would alter the trajectory of his life.
He pursued theater at the collegiate level, attending community college before earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Florida Atlantic University. He later received a full scholarship to UCLA's Master of Fine Arts program, which launched his professional career. His first year out of graduate school, he landed recurring roles on Hill Street Blues and The Young and the Restless.
In 1985, he starred opposite Whitney Houston as the male lead in the Grammy-winning music video for "Saving All My Love for You." That same year, he appeared in Death Wish 3, Spies Like Us, and the Emmy-winning episode "Displaced Person" on PBS’s American Playhouse.
Ross’s breakout film role came when James Cameron created the character Private Frost specifically for him in Aliens after being impressed by his audition. His performance in Aliens led to a series of high-profile roles across both American and British television, including Mission: Impossible, Babylon 5, Doctor Who, The Practice, JAG, 90210, Sleepers, and the BBC drama Westbeach.
He also toured Great Britain in the theater production Skin and appeared in numerous commercials across Europe and the U.S.
Ross spent over a decade living abroad, studying Shakespeare and classical theater at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). He also worked as a high-fashion model in France and Italy, before returning to the U.S. with a broadened global perspective and a refined approach to his craft.
More recently, Ross has gained new acclaim for his role as Horace Bellarie, the patriarch of a powerful beauty empire, in Tyler Perry’s Netflix series Beauty in Black. His nuanced performance explores themes of power, legacy, and identity, resonating with audiences worldwide and reintroducing him to a new generation of viewers. Now in its second season, the show has achieved global success, topping Netflix charts in over 25 countries.
Outside of acting, Ricco Ross is the founder and CEO of the production company Can You Dig It, and serves as a board member of SAG-AFTRA, where he plays an active role in shaping policy and contract negotiations for the entertainment industry.
Ross continues to balance artistry and advocacy, merging decades of performance experience with a passion for legacy building, storytelling, and representation on screen.