Jeffrey Ross, born and raised in Springfield, New Jersey, is known as the Roastmaster General for his biting humor and sharp wit. Growing up as the son of kosher caterers, Ross worked in the family business during his teenage years, both in the kitchen and as a parking valet. Tragedy struck early in his life, with his mother passing away when he was just 14 and his father at 19. Despite these challenges, Ross pursued higher education, earning a Communications degree with a minor in Political Science from Boston University. His entry into the world of comedy was somewhat serendipitous. After mistakenly enrolling in what he thought was a TV comedy writing class, Ross discovered it was actually a stand-up comedy course. Nonetheless, he embraced the challenge and found a passion for crafting comedic material, often drawing from his family life and extended relationships with his grandfather and aunt. During this time, he supported himself by producing industrial films. Ross first gained national attention in 1992 when he appeared on Star Search under his full name. However, after enduring multiple mispronunciations by host Ed McMahon, he decided to modify his stage name to the simpler Jeff Ross. As he honed his craft, Ross became a fixture in New York’s comedy scene, performing at iconic clubs like the Comedy Cellar and alternative venues like the Luna Lounge. His deep connection with his grandfather also led him to create the one-man show "Take a Banana for the Ride." Ross’s comedic journey took a pivotal turn when he started frequenting the Friars Club, initially invited to poker games with legendary comics like Milton Berle and Buddy Hackett. His involvement with the Club caught momentum in the mid-nineties as he introduced new downtown comics to what some considered a Catskills relic. His efforts to revitalize the Club bore fruit when he convinced Comedy Central to air the New York Friars Club roasts, where he became a standout performer with memorable quips about figures like Jerry Stiller, Drew Carey, Hugh Hefner, and Bea Arthur. In 2003, Ross expanded his comedic service to a broader audience by participating in a USO tour, entertaining U.S. troops stationed in Iraq. He documented this experience with a video camera, which led to his directorial debut, "Patriot Act," premiered in 2005 to favorable reviews, especially at Montreal's Just For Laughs festival. Ross continued to showcase his comedic prowess with his first one-hour stand-up special, "No Offense: Live from New Jersey," recorded in 2008 at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City. The special aired after the Roast of Bob Saget, another event where Ross’s incisive humor took center stage. Throughout his career, Jeff Ross has solidified his reputation as a master of the comedic roast, bringing laughter to audiences around the world.