At 67, Ricco Ross ( Horace) Finally Admits What We All Suspected | HO

At 67, Rico Ross is more than just a familiar face on your Netflix screen—he’s a living testament to the power of resilience, reinvention, and relentless ambition. As Horus Bellery, the ruthless patriarch at the heart of Tyler Perry’s explosive series Beauty in Black, Ross commands millions onscreen.

But the real story behind this Hollywood heavyweight is even more jaw-dropping than the drama he delivers every week. After decades of speculation, Ross is finally opening up about the choices, sacrifices, and secrets that shaped his rise from poverty to power—and what he reveals will leave audiences speechless.

From Poverty to Power: The Early Years

Born April 16, 1958, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Rico Ross was the fifth of eleven children in a family that would face unimaginable hardship. At age seven, his family was forced to relocate to Pembroke, Illinois—a rural town later dubbed “the poorest town in America” by Oprah Winfrey herself. For six brutal years, Ross watched his family struggle in conditions most people couldn’t survive.

But adversity didn’t break him. Instead, it sparked a transformation. A high school theater production introduced Ross to acting, revealing a world beyond poverty and limitations. Teachers saw something magnetic in him—a natural authority and gravitas that would later make him perfect for patriarchal roles.

He pursued theater at community college, then earned his bachelor’s at Florida Atlantic University. The real turning point? A full scholarship to UCLA’s Master of Fine Arts program, catapulting him into the orbit of Hollywood’s elite.

Hollywood’s First Act: Stardom and Stereotypes

Ross’ first year out of UCLA was phenomenal. Recurring roles on Hill Street Blues and The Young and the Restless put him on the map. But Hollywood quickly began to typecast him, slotting the imposing 6’2” actor into predictable roles. Unwilling to settle, Ross made a move that shocked everyone—he left for England to study Shakespeare.

That year abroad turned into thirteen. Ross immersed himself in classical theater at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, but his double life was just beginning. By night, he moonlighted as a high-fashion model in France and Italy, gracing magazine covers and building connections in the fashion world.

The money was flowing, the lifestyle was intoxicating, and opportunities were everywhere. Yet he turned down a lucrative European basketball contract in Cyprus, choosing Shakespeare over guaranteed wealth—a decision that revealed a core truth about his character: artistic integrity over easy money.

The Aliens Audition That Changed Everything

In 1986, James Cameron was casting for Aliens. Ross auditioned for the lead role of Corporal Hicks. He didn’t get it. Then he was offered Private Drake, but turned it down for a role in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. Cameron was so impressed, he created an entirely new character—Private Frost—just for Ross. Walking away from Kubrick to work with Cameron was a gamble, but it paid off. Aliens became a cultural phenomenon, and Ross’ portrayal of Frost remains iconic among sci-fi fans.

After thirteen years abroad, Ross returned to Hollywood as a changed man: seasoned, sophisticated, and internationally connected. Roles poured in—Mission Impossible, The Practice, Highlander, Babylon 5, Beverly Hills 90210, JAG, ER. His resume reads like a greatest hits of ‘90s and 2000s television and film.

Building an Empire—On and Off Camera

Ross wasn’t just collecting roles. He founded his own production company, Can You Dig It, and became CEO, creating opportunities for others. He even starred as the male lead in Whitney Houston’s 1985 music video “Saving All My Love for You”—a job he got, he says, because he wasn’t considered “too attractive.” The comment, which he perceived as a backhanded compliment, highlighted the differences between modeling and acting.

Behind the scenes, Ross was building something even more precious: a family dynasty. He married Julie Shannon Ross and together they raised four children—Aisha, Rammy, Michaela, and Miles—plus godson Nicholas. His approach to wealth and family mirrors his current character Horus Bellery in almost eerie ways: building generational wealth, protecting family, and making tough decisions to secure his legacy.

Hollywood Power Broker

Ross is more than an actor—he’s a political force in Hollywood. Currently serving his second term as a SAG-AFTRA board member, he helps negotiate contracts worth billions, shape working conditions for hundreds of thousands, and set industry standards. When streaming residuals were on the table, Ross was in the room. When AI protections were debated, Ross had a voice. During the recent Hollywood strike, he was part of the leadership making crucial decisions.

Before Beauty in Black, Ross had a recurring role on STARZ’s controversial series P-Valley as Pastor Gilfield. The role prepared him for Horus Bellery, dealing with themes of power, money, family dysfunction, and the dark underbelly of legitimate businesses. Tyler Perry didn’t just cast Ross in Beauty in Black—he transformed the character to fit him, rewriting the original description to match Ross’ presence and experience.

Horus Bellery: Art Imitates Life

Ross’ preparation for Horus was deeply personal. He based the character on his own father—a man who rarely raised his voice but commanded respect through quiet strength. The walking cane became Horus’ signature prop, not just for show but to help Ross find the character’s rhythm and presence. Every scene with the cane tells a story about power, age, and responsibility.

Beauty in Black isn’t just another soap opera. It’s Perry’s darkest, most controversial series yet, tackling human trafficking, family betrayal, murder, and corruption. As Horus, Ross is at the center of it all, controlling a beauty empire worth millions while navigating secrets that could destroy everything. By season’s end, Horus is dying of cancer and marries Kimmy, a former exotic dancer, to prevent his dysfunctional family from destroying his legacy—a storyline that hits close to home for Ross, who has always chosen legacy over blood relations.

Various sources estimate Ross’ net worth at $1–5 million, but some claim it could be as high as $45 million, considering his international modeling career, European years, production company, union leadership, and four decades of steady work. Ross has always been strategic, prioritizing ownership and influence over fleeting fame.

Facing Controversy with Quiet Strength

Beauty in Black has faced criticism for its portrayal of Black women, graphic content, and reliance on stereotypes. Critics have called it misogynistic and accused Perry of exploiting trauma for entertainment. Ross, however, has remained quiet about the controversies. His character Horus is one of the few figures in the show who consistently treats female characters with respect and protection—perhaps a reflection of Ross’ own values and influence.

The series became a global phenomenon, reaching number one in 28 countries and spending four weeks in Netflix’s top 10. At 67, Ross is one of the most-watched actors on the planet. Season two is already out, and insiders suggest Ross’ negotiations included significant back-end participation, meaning his earnings from Beauty in Black could dwarf everything he’s made before.

Legacy, Family, and Artistic Integrity

Ross’ impact on Beauty in Black extends beyond performance. As an experienced producer and industry veteran, he likely influences storylines, character development, and casting decisions. Tyler Perry is known for collaborating closely with veteran actors, and Ross’ real-world experience with power dynamics, family loyalty, and business empire-building makes him an invaluable consultant.

His portrayal of Horus Bellery has introduced him to a new generation of viewers, creating fresh relevance that surpasses his earlier success. The character arc Perry wrote for Horus involves a twist so unexpected it mirrors Ross’ own journey from poverty to power. The parallels between Ross’ real-life empire building and Horus’ onscreen decisions become haunting by season’s end.

But the most impressive aspect of Ross’ career isn’t his longevity or talent—it’s his consistency in making choices that prioritize artistic integrity, family, and long-term legacy over short-term gains. From a kid in Pembroke, Illinois to a patriarch commanding Netflix screens worldwide, Ross has built something most actors only dream of: a career that matters, a family that thrives, and a legacy that will endure long after the cameras stop rolling.

The Secret We All Suspected

Now, at 67, Rico Ross finally admits what fans have long suspected: his greatest role isn’t just Horus Bellery—it’s the life he’s built through grit, wisdom, and unwavering self-belief. He never stopped betting on himself, never stopped growing, and never stopped demanding more from his art than most people thought possible. In a world full of actors playing characters, Ross found a way to become the character without ever losing himself.

The streets of Chicago forged him. Europe refined him. Hollywood tested him. And now, Netflix has given him the platform to show the world what four decades of strategic choices, authentic relationships, and determination can create. Rico Ross isn’t just playing Horus Bellery—in many ways, he is Horus Bellery. The only difference is that Ross’ empire is real, and his legacy is still being written.