Jonathan Ross

Considered one of the most powerful entertainment personalities in Britain, Jonathan Ross worked as a talk show host, TV presenter, game show host, film critic, movie actor, and radio broadcaster, among various other disciplines. His career began in the late '80s when he hosted a wide-ranging American-style talk show called "Last Resort with Jonathan Ross" (Channel 4 1987-88). The success of the show catapulted Ross into the national spotlight, and by the mid-'90s his career had expanded to include award show hosting duties for ITV's "British Comedy Awards" as well as multiple appearances on numerous British television programs. By the early 2000s, Ross's mainstream appeal earned him his very own talk show on the BBC, "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" (2001-2010), where his provocative style and off-beat manner always seemed to draw the ire of the British news media. By late 2013, Ross had added product spokesperson to his growing list of titles, after being hired by Microsoft to promote its Xbox gaming system, thus further establishing the multi-faceted entertainer as one of Britain's most influential names in Britain.

Born and raised in a big family in London, Ross and his six siblings were thrust into show business at a very young age by their actress mother, Martha. A somewhat talkative youth, Ross began auditioning for TV commercials while still a young boy. By the age of 10, he was appearing in advertisements for Kellogg's Rice Krispies and Persil laundry detergent. Although never a gifted student, Ross was admitted into the University of London where he earned his degree in Modern European History. After college, Ross took a job as a researcher for Britain's Channel 4. It was there that he met a fellow researcher by the name of Alan Marke. The two became fast friends, and eventually came up with an idea for a wide-ranging British talk show in the same vein as "Late Night with David Letterman" (NBC 1982-1993). They just needed a host. After several attempts to find someone to fill the top spot proved futile, Ross decided to step in. His carefree style and brash demeanor as host of "Last Resort with Jonathan Ross" made him an overnight celebrity in Britain. And despite lasting barely two years, "Last Resort" certified Ross as a TV personality on the rise.

By the early '90s, Ross was virtually everywhere in the British media. As the owner of his Channel X production company, Ross had free range to appear in any or all of the shows his company had produced. Of the various entertainment programs Ross appeared in during this period, his most frequent appearances occurred as a panelist on the sports quiz show "They Think It's All Over" (BBC One, 1995-2006), and as host of the celebrity game show "It's Only TV But I Like It" (BBC One 1999-2002). However, despite earning record profits, Ross sold his share in Channel X in 1995 to spend more time with his family. Never one to slow down, over the next several years Ross started adding film actor to his seemingly endless list of credits, with noteworthy roles in "Spice World" (1997) and "Shrek 2" (2004). Ross returned to television in 2001 as host of "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" (BBC 2001-2010). The show featured provocative interviews with celebrities and newsmakers, and was rarely far from controversy. Throughout its entire run, Ross repeatedly found himself in hot water for comments made about everyone from Heather Mills, the ex-wife of Paul McCartney, to the American actress Gwyneth Paltrow. Ross left the BBC in 2010 to start a new talk show with ITV. "The Jonathan Ross Show" debuted the following year, and despite suffering from low ratings, the show was renewed for a fifth season, which debuted in October of 2013.