Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rory Ross. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rory, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work on some really cool projects, such as Linkin Park’s music video ‘Heavy’ and portraying Chris McCandless on Travel Channel’s ‘Off The Map,’ among others. However, the one that meant the most to me was working on Star Wars and becoming the Mandalorian Covert Commander in Mandalorian Season 3. Not only is it cool to essentially have your own character, but also the deep, meaningful impact Star Wars has had on my life for many years.

A long time ago on a farm far, far away… I grew up in Iowa with exotic livestock such as Emus, Ostriches, Russian Boars, and the like. It was essentially like living in a zoo. While there, I contracted a rare fungus that caused my scalp to literally fall off, putting me in Iowa City Children’s Hospital for nearly a month. I was only 6 years old and completely petrified. In addition, there were kids who got better, and others who sadly didn’t. It was a scary time, but my wise mother went to the media library that first day and brought back Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. This was my first foray into the Star Wars Universe and changed my life forever, as it was Luke’s journey that gave me hope and inspiration that I was going to be okay. Once I left, I told myself that whatever I ended up doing, I wanted to bring that same hope and inspiration that Luke gave to me. Since then, throughout my life, I have always tried to find ways to give back through various charities and feeding the homeless. Now that I find myself a part of the SW Universe, even in a small way, I give 5% of everything I earn from conventions, autographs, etc. to the Iowa City Children’s Hospital—the place where my Star Wars story began. Just this year alone, I’ve been able to raise over $2k that will help the foundlings, and I will continue this endeavor to the end of my days.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m just a simple farm boy from Iowa who decided the farming life wasn’t for him. I left on my own and moved to Seattle, WA, at just 13 years old, feeling there was more out there for me. I ended up attending a private school that required $10k each for freshman and sophomore years, and $12k for junior and senior years. While other kids enjoyed their summers or off hours after class, I was working two different jobs and had to earn scholarships to stay. If I didn’t pull it off… going back to Iowa was not an option in my mind.

Later, I attended university, originally studying Aerospace Engineering, which brought me to LA for the first time to witness the last public appearance of the Curiosity Mars Rover at JPL. My name is even etched on its microchip, technically placing me in space—haha! I switched my major to Business at the end of my sophomore year with the focus of graduating within the original four years. During this time, in my senior year, I dabbled in acting via One Acts, playing a chicken named Picard. Every time I balked ‘Piiiicccaaard,’ I laid an egg on stage—the irony of being transported back to a farm was pretty hilarious.

After university, I moved back to Seattle, quickly getting involved in both the film community and the tech space by doing VIP demonstrations of the Microsoft Hololens at Microsoft’s HQ. Later that year, Oculus approached me to be a part of their ODST (Oculus Demo Specialist Team), leading me back to LA for Oculus Connect 2. It was then that I made the commitment that within six months, I’d be moving to LA. Six months to the day, I flew down with a first-class ticket (the easiest way to transport all my stuff 😅) on Alaska Airlines, my custom-made Seahawks jersey (GO HAWKS!), and $200 in my pocket. It was an audacious goal and a bit of a crazy dream, but I’m still here, all thanks to some amazing people and their generosity and belief in me.

I’ve had a crazy life, being able to travel the world, visiting 5 of the 7 continents, having a spectacular girlfriend, and the best friends/support team one could ask for. I’m incredibly lucky and forever grateful. Excited to see what’s to come and hope you’ll follow the journey

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2017, I faced a series of devastating losses that tested my resilience. It all began with the shocking death of Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, someone I had befriended on the set of the “Heavy” music video. We shared similar backgrounds and struggles, and his apparent ability to overcome his inner demons was a source of inspiration for me. However, his untimely death shook my world, as it did for countless others.

Tragedy continued to unfold that year. While filming “Off The Map” in Arizona, portraying the life of Chris McCandless, I received news of my 99-year-old Great Grandmother’s passing. Though her death didn’t hit me as hard as she lived a very full life & having seen her just weeks before filming began. However, the following day brought the unexpected loss of my Great Aunt, who was like a second mom to me. The devastation was profound, especially considering her relation to my Great Grandma and her relatively younger age.

The year concluded with the passing of my Step Dad. Despite our troubled relationship, we had managed to make amends in the later years. These successive losses left me in a state of profound grief, prompting a necessary step back from my life, even though professionally it had been the best year for me in terms of acting achievements.

This pause was crucial. It allowed me to reframe my perspective, providing the mental space needed to weather the storm. Though the challenges were immense, this period of reflection and healing ultimately strengthened my resilience and set the stage for a renewed journey forward with a healthier mindset.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist or creative is the opportunity to show others that they can truly pursue their dreams or audacious goals, regardless of where they are in life. Many friends have reached out to express how my journey has inspired them to see the possibilities in their own lives. They’ve witnessed the bold steps I’ve taken, reaching out on a limb and courageously navigating through the unknown. While the journey has been far from easy, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I believe that having an amazing support system is crucial for anyone to reach their desired destination because we don’t always recognize the potential within ourselves. A quote I created that resonates with me is, “Everyone has the ability to do great things; sometimes it just takes someone else’s eyes to see what already lies within.” If I can assist someone in realizing their potential and bring hope and inspiration along the way, then the challenges of this journey become profoundly worth it!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theroryross.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theroryross/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRoryRoss
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theroryross/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/theroryross

Image Credits
Figure Cardbacks done by Daniel Lowe of BlueBoxDezigns