Bob Ross is instantly recognizable to millions â not just for his soothing voice and âhappy little trees,â but for a distinctive hairstyle that became as iconic as his art.
Yet the lush, curly hair that accompanied his PBS hit âThe Joy of Paintingâ wasnât natural at all: it was the result of a perm he got early in his painting career.
He Had Some Locks
Long before he became a beloved television figure, Ross served in the United States Air Force, where he sported a much shorter haircut typical of military life.
After leaving the service and trying to make ends meet as a full-time artist, he faced the practical realities of everyday life â including the cost of haircuts.
According to his longtime business partner, Annette Kowalski, Rossâs decision to get a perm was largely practical.
Tight on cash, he figured that letting his hair grow and getting it permed would mean fewer trips to the barber, essentially saving money on frequent cuts.
âHe got this bright idea that he could save money on haircuts,â Kowalski explained â leading to a look that would become a hallmark of his public persona. Â
That curly hairstyle â often described as a halo of soft spirals around his head â became inseparable from Rossâs gentle demeanor and iconic teaching style.
Ross: An Icon
For over a decade, audiences across the U.S. tuned into âThe Joy of Paintingâ not just for techniques and landscapes but for the calming presence of a painter with that unmistakable coif. Â
But despite its fame, Ross reportedly didnât love the look.
According to Kowalski, once he ended up with the perm, it became part of his brand identity â and something he couldnât easily change.
âHe could never, ever, ever change his hair, and he was so mad about that,” Kowalski says. “He got tired of that curly hair,â he told the outlet in 2016.
Over the years, the hairstyle became almost as talked about as the artist himself.
Fans and pop-culture enthusiasts have often referenced his curls when remembering his style, and even modern documentaries about his life and work highlight the surprising origin of the look that many assumed was natural. Â
Beyond hair, Ross left behind a legacy of creativity and encouragement.
His belief that âthere are no mistakes, only happy accidentsâ became a mantra that resonated far beyond art classrooms and television screens. Yet, itâs that iconic perm â and the story behind it â that underscores how even the smallest personal decisions can become beloved cultural touchstones. Â
In hindsight, the perm stands as a reminder of Rossâs authenticity and approachability: a practical choice that accidentally became part of what made him unforgettable. It may not have been his favorite look, but it became a symbol of his unique personality and enduring influence on art and television.
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