Career Timeline of Jeff Ross: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Jeff Ross, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jeffrey Ross Lifschultz, known as Jeff Ross, is an American stand-up comedian, actor, director, and producer. He is often called the "Roastmaster General" due to his prominent role in insult comedy, specifically his frequent appearances in celebrity roasts for the New York Friars Club, Comedy Central Roasts, and Netflix's Historical Roasts. The Chicago Tribune likened him to Don Rickles in 2009. Ross's directorial debut, the documentary "Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie," won Best Film at the Comedia film festival in Montreal's Just for Laughs comedy festival.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: Ross Begins Stand-up

In 1989, Jeff Ross started his career in stand-up comedy after taking a comedy class.

1994: Ross appeared on A&E's An Evening at the Improv

In 1994, Jeff Ross appeared on A&E's show "An Evening at the Improv".

1995: Ross Performs at Iconic Clubs and Roasts Steven Seagal

In 1995, Jeff Ross began performing at renowned New York clubs such as the Comedy Cellar and Stand Up NY. That same year, he was invited to participate in a roast of actor Steven Seagal by the New York Friars Club.

1996: Ross's acting role in Celtic Pride

Jeff Ross had a small part in the 1996 comedy film "Celtic Pride".

Loading Video...

1998: Friars Club Roast Televised on Comedy Central

In 1998, The Friars Club's first televised event, the roast of Drew Carey, was broadcast on Comedy Central.

1999: Turning Point in Roasting Career

In 1999, Jeff Ross credits a joke at the roast of Jerry Stiller, specifically one at the expense of Bea Arthur and Sandra Bernhard, for elevating his roasting career. Jimmy Kimmel also hired Ross as a writer on The Man Show that year.

Loading Video...

2000: Ross Writes for Billy Crystal at the Oscars

In 2000, Jeff Ross wrote some of the punchlines for Billy Crystal's monologue at the Oscars.

2003: Comedy Central begins producing Celebrity Roasts

In 2003, Comedy Central began producing their own celebrity roasts.

2003: Ross Travels to Iraq

In 2003, Jeff Ross first traveled to Iraq as part of a comedy tour hosted by Drew Carey.

2003: Ross in Stuck on You

Jeff Ross played a security guard in the 2003 film "Stuck on You".

Loading Video...

2004: Ross Competes in Celebrity Poker Showdown

In 2004, Jeff Ross participated in the third tournament of Celebrity Poker Showdown but lost in his first match.

2004: Ross's role in Along Came Polly

In 2004, Jeff Ross played a wedding band leader in the film "Along Came Polly".

Loading Video...

2005: Ross Appears in The Aristocrats

In 2005, Jeff Ross appeared in the documentary "The Aristocrats" about the famous dirty joke of the same name.

Loading Video...

2005: Ross Releases Film Documenting Iraq Tour

In 2005, Jeff Ross released "Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie", a film he produced and directed, documenting his experiences on his Iraq tour. The film also won the prize for Best Film at the Comedia film festival.

2005: Ross becomes regular roaster at Comedy Central

Since the 2005 roast of Pamela Anderson, Jeff Ross has been a roaster at all Comedy Central roasts.

2006: Co-Creator of Where My Dogs At?

In 2006, Jeff Ross co-created the satirical animated program "Where My Dogs At?", which aired on MTV2. He voiced the character Buddy, a beagle.

Loading Video...

2006: Ross's documentary wins Best Film at film festival

In 2006, Jeff Ross's directorial debut, the documentary "Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie," received the prize for Best Film at the Comedia film festival during the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal.

2006: Film shown on Showtime and screened at film festival

In 2006, Jeff Ross's film, "Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie", was shown on Showtime and screened at the South by Southwest Film Festival.

2008: Ross on Dancing with the Stars

In 2008, Jeff Ross was a competitor on the seventh season of "Dancing with the Stars". He was the first to be eliminated.

Loading Video...

2009: Ross Publishes First Book

In 2009, Jeff Ross released his first book, titled "I Only Roast the Ones I Love: Busting Balls Without Burning Bridges."

2011: Ross Supports Occupy Movement

In 2011, Jeff Ross visited the protesters of the Occupy movement in Los Angeles to support their cause, and delivered a speech roasting Wall Street and the big banks.

2012: The Burn with Jeff Ross airs on Comedy Central

In 2012, Jeff Ross became the creator and host of the comedy panel show "The Burn with Jeff Ross," which aired on Comedy Central for two seasons.

Loading Video...

2012: Ross roasts James Franco as his character in Spring Breakers

In 2012, Jeff Ross roasted James Franco wearing cornrows and a neck tattoo in reference to Franco's character in the film "Spring Breakers."

Loading Video...

2012: Ross voices himself in Batman: The Brave and the Bold

In 2012, Jeff Ross voiced himself in the "Crisis: 22,300 Miles Above Earth!" episode of "Batman: The Brave and the Bold," attending a roast of Batman.

2013: The Burn with Jeff Ross airs on Comedy Central

In 2013, "The Burn with Jeff Ross," aired on Comedy Central for two seasons.

Loading Video...

2015: Ross Performs Comedy in Brazos County Jail

In 2015, Jeff Ross starred in the Comedy Central special "Jeff Ross Roasts Criminals: Live from Brazos County Jail," where he performed stand-up comedy for male and female convicts in Brazos County, Texas.

2016: Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle Premieres on Comedy Central

In 2016, Jeff Ross and comedian Brian Moses launched "Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle" on Comedy Central. It consists of comedians competing in one-on-one roast battles judged by Ross and guest judges.

2017: Ross Named USO Ambassador

In 2017, the USO appointed Jeff Ross as the Ambassador of Veterans Outreach for the Artists & Athletes Alliance.

2018: Bumping Mics Comedy Tour

In 2018, Jeff Ross and Dave Attell embarked on their "Bumping Mics" comedy tour, which was also released as a three-part special on Netflix, called "Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell".

Loading Video...

2019: Appearance on Crank Yankers

In 2019, Jeff Ross appeared as himself on an episode of "Crank Yankers".

Loading Video...

2019: Historical Roasts Series Airs on Netflix

In 2019, Netflix began airing the series "Historical Roasts", hosted by Jeff Ross. The show features fictionalized comedy roasts of historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Anne Frank.

Loading Video...