Written by Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, and Greed producers Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone say they “never intended to set out and create a hit piece” about the art instructor and TV host with their new Netflix doc, which chronicles the life, work and unexpectedly dark legal legacy of the Joy of Painting star. But Bob Ross Inc. says that although the film “accurately captured” the famed TV painter, it’s an “inaccurate and heavily slanted portrayal of our company.”
The film follows Ross’ career, centering heavily on his relationship with Bob Ross Inc. co-founders Walt and Annette Kowalski, who helped the painter find professional success. It also chronicles his death and the eventual legal battles that ensued between Ross’ son, Steve, who serves as a central character, and the Kowalskis, whose input is largely lacking from the film. The doc ultimately suggests that Ross’ longtime business partners strong-armed his heir, his late third wife and his half-brother out of profits and parts of his estate that controlled how his legacy was to be used. It also suggests an affair between Annette and Bob.
The new documentary, Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal and Greed, now streaming on Netflix, covers the span of Ross’ career with a focus on his relationship with business partners and Bob Ross, Inc
