American singer, pianist and songwriter.
His career began in radio in 1928 and included a five year run with Annette Hanshaw on the Maxwell House Show Boat program. His recording career began in 1929. In 1931 he earned a law degree from Columbia Law School, earning the wherewithal by making radio appearances. He also studied classical vocal technique at the Juilliard School of Music. He did so well on the radio that he gave up the legal profession and set forth on a singing career. Ross went on to success in vaudeville, night clubs and films. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II, achieving the rank of Major. During the war, he was called upon to sing the Oscar-nominated ballad, “We Musn’t Say Goodbye,” for the 1943 motion picture, “Stage Door Canteen.” The film also received an Oscar nomination for best musical score that year.
His radio programs have included “Troubadour of the Moon,” “Maxwell House Showboat,” “Packard Mardi Gras,” “Lucky Strike Hit Parade” and his own “Lanny Ross Program,” sponsored by Franco-American over the CBS Network.
Ross introduced the standard popular song “Stay as Sweet as You Are” (w. Mack Gordon m. Harry Revel) in the 1934 film College Rhythm. He recorded the song with Nat W. Finston and the Paramount Recording Orchestra in Los Angeles on October 21, 1934. It was released on Brunswick 7318 (matrix LA-247-A) and became Ross’ most successful record. He starred in two Paramount films, Melody in Spring and College Rhythm and also in The Lady Objects for Columbia. In 1941 he drew critical acclai for his acting in stock productions of “Petticoat Fever,””Pursuit of Happiness” and “Green Grow the Lilacs”.
He co-wrote the song “Listen to My Heart” with Al J. Neiburg and Abner Silver. It was performed in the 1939 short film Tempo of Tomorrow by Patricia Gilmore singing with the Richard Himber Orchestra.
Ross died in New York City on April 25, 1988.
Link to Wikipedia biography