Ross Thomas (actor)
Encyclopedia
Ross Schuler Thomas is an American
film
and television
actor
who currently has the regular role of Bailey Reese on the teen drama
television series Beyond the Break
.
and the University of Southern California
, earning his degree at USC in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts
in Theatre Arts. Thomas later moved to Los Angeles
to pursue a career in film and television.
(a series on The N). Other film credits include the critically acclaimed title role of Seth in the independent film
What's Bugging Seth
. A winner of numerous film festival awards, What's Bugging Seth is the story of a young deaf man trying to start his own business
while facing all of life's obstacles that can be expected to be encountered by a person with a disability
. Additionally, Thomas starred opposite Lesly Jordan in the independent dark comedy
Sissy Frenchfry
, which was also a film festival winner.
In 2006, Thomas received more exposure when he participated in the American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile movie as one of the main characters Ryan Grimm. He co-starred in The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
, the sequel to the 1992
film The Cutting Edge
as an extreme sport
s professional turned figure skater.
More recently, in 2007, he was able to use his acting talents as well as his surfing abilities for the film Shelter
. Also, in 2007, Thomas voiced acted for Adventures in Odyssey
.
Thomas' other television credits include guest star roles on Lie To Me
, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
, CSI: NY
, and Cold Case as well as the love interest for Misti Traya on the WB
's Living with Fran
. He appears in the show "Beyond The Break." Along with his television credits, Thomas has completed major national campaigns for MasterCard
and the Arby's
and Applebee's
restaurant chains.
and snowboards
and performed many of his own stunts for his role as an extreme sport
s professional turned figure skater in ABC Family channel
movie The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
.
Thomas enjoys horseback riding and has aspirations to produce and direct. He grew up in rural Acampo, California
, near Stockton, and his dad is a pro hunter. Thomas was also in Sigma Nu Fraternity while attending Arizona State University.
Ross is a supporter of tribal peoples rights
. He has made a short film about the plight of tribal peoples in Peru, and has visited Brazil to support the tribes against the Belo Monte Dam
. Ross has worked with indigenous rights organizations Survival International
and Amazon Watch
. In 2010, Ross spent months in the Southern Peruvian Amazon shooting and producing the documentary "Extraction: The Plundering of the Amarakaeri Preserve." Thomas hopes the film will bring awareness to the encroachment of Hunt Oil on an area that had been protected for the indigenous people, but has become increasingly valuable to oil companies. He has said, "To me it's amazing to think that I'm living here in Los Angeles and looking out my window looking at a concrete jungle, while there are people out there in the jungle who are living off the land. So, I started traveling to these remote locations to see these people and that gave me the opportunity to study and learn from them. I learned so much and it had such a positive impact on my life. So I made a pact with myself that I couldn't just go and take for myself. And when I say 'take for myself,' I mean on a knowledge level. I knew that there were some very pressing issues that were happening to indigenous people all over the world and to the environment they were living in, from India to Africa to Brazil to the Equadorian Amazon."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
who currently has the regular role of Bailey Reese on the teen drama
Teen drama
A teen drama is a dramatic television series with a major focus on teenage characters. The genre was relatively non-existent for the first 45 years of television; it came into prominence in the early 1990s...
television series Beyond the Break
Beyond the Break (TV series)
Beyond the Break is an American drama series set in Hawaii, that debuted on The N in June 2006.-Synopsis:The series focuses on four women in the sport of professional surfing. Birdie Scott , Lacey Farmer , Dawn Preston , and Kai Kealoha must overcome their differences in order to capture surf...
.
Early life
Thomas attended St. Mary's High School in Stockton, California. He studied theater at both Arizona State UniversityArizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, earning his degree at USC in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in Theatre Arts. Thomas later moved to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
to pursue a career in film and television.
Career
After many attempts and auditions, Thomas landed a role and currently stars in the show Beyond the BreakBeyond the Break (TV series)
Beyond the Break is an American drama series set in Hawaii, that debuted on The N in June 2006.-Synopsis:The series focuses on four women in the sport of professional surfing. Birdie Scott , Lacey Farmer , Dawn Preston , and Kai Kealoha must overcome their differences in order to capture surf...
(a series on The N). Other film credits include the critically acclaimed title role of Seth in the independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
What's Bugging Seth
What's Bugging Seth
What's Bugging Seth is a 2005 film by Eli Steele, about a young deaf man striving for success in his own business. It found success on the film festival circuit and was released on DVD in the beginning of 2008.-Synopsis:...
. A winner of numerous film festival awards, What's Bugging Seth is the story of a young deaf man trying to start his own business
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
while facing all of life's obstacles that can be expected to be encountered by a person with a disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
. Additionally, Thomas starred opposite Lesly Jordan in the independent dark comedy
Black comedy
A black comedy, or dark comedy, is a comic work that employs black humor or gallows humor. The definition of black humor is problematic; it has been argued that it corresponds to the earlier concept of gallows humor; and that, as humor has been defined since Freud as a comedic act that anesthetizes...
Sissy Frenchfry
Sissy Frenchfry
Welcome to wildly eclectic and diverse West Beach High, where the annual Student Body President election will pit the quirky, much-beloved incumbent Sissy Frenchfry against a handsome, charismatic – and socially intolerant – transfer student with a devious plan to restore the status quo.Sissy...
, which was also a film festival winner.
In 2006, Thomas received more exposure when he participated in the American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile movie as one of the main characters Ryan Grimm. He co-starred in The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold is an American romantic drama film that follows the 1992 film The Cutting Edge. The film was produced for the ABC Family cable channel in 2005 and was released on DVD in March 2006...
, the sequel to the 1992
1992 in film
The year 1992 in film involved many significant films. -Top grossing films:-Awards:Academy AwardsGolden Globe AwardsNational Film Awards...
film The Cutting Edge
The Cutting Edge
The Cutting Edge is a 1992 romantic comedy film directed by Paul Michael Glaser and written by Tony Gilroy. The plot is about a very rich, spoiled figure skater who is paired with a has-been ice hockey player for Olympic figure skating...
as an extreme sport
Extreme sport
An extreme sport is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger...
s professional turned figure skater.
More recently, in 2007, he was able to use his acting talents as well as his surfing abilities for the film Shelter
Shelter (2007 film)
Shelter is a 2007 American film directed and written by Jonah Markowitz. It stars Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, and Tina Holmes. It was the winner of "Outstanding Film – Limited Release" at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards, Best New Director and Favorite Narrative Feature at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film...
. Also, in 2007, Thomas voiced acted for Adventures in Odyssey
Adventures in Odyssey
Adventures in Odyssey , or simply Odyssey, is an Evangelical Christian-themed radio drama/comedy series created by Focus on the Family in 1987. The show's daily audience averages around 1.2 million within North America. The Odyssey series also includes several spin-off items, including a home-video...
.
Thomas' other television credits include guest star roles on Lie To Me
Lie to Me
Lie to Me is a 2009-2011 American television series.Lie to Me may also refer to:* Lie to Me , a South Korean drama series* "Lie to Me" , an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer...
, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
, CSI: NY
CSI: NY
CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes...
, and Cold Case as well as the love interest for Misti Traya on the WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
's Living with Fran
Living With Fran
Living With Fran is an American sitcom that debuted on The WB network in April 2005 that starred Fran Drescher. The show last aired on March 2006.-Premise:Drescher plays Fran Reeves, an interior designer and divorced mother of two...
. He appears in the show "Beyond The Break." Along with his television credits, Thomas has completed major national campaigns for MasterCard
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
and the Arby's
Arby's
Arby's is a fast food restaurant chain in the United States and Canada. Roark Capital Group owns 81.5% of the company, with Wendy's Company owning the other 18.5%. It is primarily known for selling roast beef sandwiches and curly fries. The Arby's menu also includes chicken sandwiches, appetizers,...
and Applebee's
Applebee's
Applebee’s International, Inc., is an American company which develops, franchises, and operates the Applebee's Neighborhood Grill and Bar restaurant chain. As of September 2011, there were 2,010 restaurants operating system-wide in the United States, one U.S. territory and 14 other countries...
restaurant chains.
Personal life
Thomas surfsSurfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
and snowboards
Snowboarding
Snowboarding is a sport that involves descending a slope that is covered with snow on a snowboard attached to a rider's feet using a special boot set onto mounted binding. The development of snowboarding was inspired by skateboarding, sledding, surfing and skiing. It was developed in the U.S.A...
and performed many of his own stunts for his role as an extreme sport
Extreme sport
An extreme sport is a popular term for certain activities perceived as having a high level of inherent danger...
s professional turned figure skater in ABC Family channel
ABC Family
ABC Family, stylized as abc family, is an American television network, owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a subsidiary of the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company...
movie The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold
The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold is an American romantic drama film that follows the 1992 film The Cutting Edge. The film was produced for the ABC Family cable channel in 2005 and was released on DVD in March 2006...
.
Thomas enjoys horseback riding and has aspirations to produce and direct. He grew up in rural Acampo, California
Acampo, California
Acampo is a small census-designated place just outside of Stockton in San Joaquin County, California, United States. It is the childhood home of Kamal Givens and his brother Ahmad, of the reality television show Real Chance of Love. In the 1870s, Acampo was named as a Southern Pacific Railroad...
, near Stockton, and his dad is a pro hunter. Thomas was also in Sigma Nu Fraternity while attending Arizona State University.
Ross is a supporter of tribal peoples rights
Indigenous rights
Indigenous rights are those rights that exist in recognition of the specific condition of the indigenous peoples. This includes not only the most basic human rights of physical survival and integrity, but also the preservation of their land, language, religion and other elements of cultural...
. He has made a short film about the plight of tribal peoples in Peru, and has visited Brazil to support the tribes against the Belo Monte Dam
Belo Monte Dam
The Belo Monte Dam is a proposed hydroelectric dam complex on the Xingu River in the state of Pará, Brazil...
. Ross has worked with indigenous rights organizations Survival International
Survival International
Survival International is a human rights organisation formed in 1969 that campaigns for the rights of indigenous tribal peoples and uncontacted peoples, seeking to help them to determine their own future. Their campaigns generally focus on tribal peoples' fight to keep their ancestral lands,...
and Amazon Watch
Amazon Watch
Founded in 1996, Amazon Watch is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California. It works to protect the rainforest and advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the Amazon Basin...
. In 2010, Ross spent months in the Southern Peruvian Amazon shooting and producing the documentary "Extraction: The Plundering of the Amarakaeri Preserve." Thomas hopes the film will bring awareness to the encroachment of Hunt Oil on an area that had been protected for the indigenous people, but has become increasingly valuable to oil companies. He has said, "To me it's amazing to think that I'm living here in Los Angeles and looking out my window looking at a concrete jungle, while there are people out there in the jungle who are living off the land. So, I started traveling to these remote locations to see these people and that gave me the opportunity to study and learn from them. I learned so much and it had such a positive impact on my life. So I made a pact with myself that I couldn't just go and take for myself. And when I say 'take for myself,' I mean on a knowledge level. I knew that there were some very pressing issues that were happening to indigenous people all over the world and to the environment they were living in, from India to Africa to Brazil to the Equadorian Amazon."
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Soul Surfer Soul Surfer (film) Soul Surfer is a 2011 American drama film about the life of surfer Bethany Hamilton. At the age of thirteen, Hamilton lost her arm to a shark attack. The film details the events surrounding this attack and her struggle during the aftermath... |
Noah Hamilton | Film |
| 2011 | General Hospital General Hospital General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns.... |
Brandon | TV |
| 2010 | Burning Palms Burning Palms (film) Burning Palms is a 2010 satirical film based on Los Angeles stereotypes told through five intertwining storylines.-Premise:The film explores satires of Angeleno stereotypes, which are told through five interlacing stories. The five intertwining segments are based on popular stereotypes of West... |
Lukas | Film |
| 2009 | Dance Flick Dance Flick Dance Flick is a 2009 American comedy directed by Damien Dante Wayans, written by his uncles, the Wayans Brothers, and starring Damon Wayans, Jr., and Shoshana Bush. The film is a spoof of the popular dance film genre... |
Tyler | Film |
| Lie to Me Lie to Me Lie to Me is a 2009-2011 American television series.Lie to Me may also refer to:* Lie to Me , a South Korean drama series* "Lie to Me" , an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer... |
Doug Donovan | TV | |
| The Haunting of Molly Hartley The Haunting of Molly Hartley The Haunting of Molly Hartley is a 2008 supernatural horror film written by John Travis and Rebecca Sonnenshine and directed by Mickey Liddell starring Haley Bennett, Chace Crawford, AnnaLynne McCord, Jessica Lowndes and Jake Weber.-Plot:... |
Jock | Film | |
| 2007 | Shelter Shelter (2007 film) Shelter is a 2007 American film directed and written by Jonah Markowitz. It stars Trevor Wright, Brad Rowe, and Tina Holmes. It was the winner of "Outstanding Film – Limited Release" at the 2009 GLAAD Media Awards, Best New Director and Favorite Narrative Feature at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film... |
Gabe | Film |
| 2006 | Lipshitz Saves the World Lipshitz Saves the World Lipshitz Saves the World is a comedy television pilot that was produced for NBC. The show was given the green light to shoot a pilot by NBC in July 2006. The show was not picked up for air... |
Mark Sherman | TV |
| American Pie Presents: The Naked Mile | Ryan Grimm | Film | |
| Beyond The Break Beyond the Break (TV series) Beyond the Break is an American drama series set in Hawaii, that debuted on The N in June 2006.-Synopsis:The series focuses on four women in the sport of professional surfing. Birdie Scott , Lacey Farmer , Dawn Preston , and Kai Kealoha must overcome their differences in order to capture surf... |
Bailey Reese | TV | |
| The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold The Cutting Edge: Going for the Gold is an American romantic drama film that follows the 1992 film The Cutting Edge. The film was produced for the ABC Family cable channel in 2005 and was released on DVD in March 2006... |
Alex Harrison | Film | |
| 2005 | CSI: NY CSI: NY CSI: NY is an American police procedural television series that premiered on September 22, 2004, on CBS. The show follows the investigations of a team of NYPD forensic scientists and police officers as they unveil the circumstances behind mysterious and unusual deaths as well as other crimes... |
Sam | TV |
| Sissy Frenchfry Sissy Frenchfry Welcome to wildly eclectic and diverse West Beach High, where the annual Student Body President election will pit the quirky, much-beloved incumbent Sissy Frenchfry against a handsome, charismatic – and socially intolerant – transfer student with a devious plan to restore the status quo.Sissy... |
Bodey McDodey | Film | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer... |
Trip Wilmont | TV | |
| Living with Fran Living With Fran Living With Fran is an American sitcom that debuted on The WB network in April 2005 that starred Fran Drescher. The show last aired on March 2006.-Premise:Drescher plays Fran Reeves, an interior designer and divorced mother of two... |
Kurt | TV | |
| Cold Case | Pete | TV |