Ronn Moss
Ronn Moss, born Ronald Montague Moss on March 4, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, is an American actor, musician, singer, and producer renowned for his long-running portrayal of Ridge Forrester on the CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful from 1987 to 2012.[1][2] As a founding member of the 1970s rock band Player, he contributed to their international chart-topping hit "Baby Come Back" in 1977, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.[3][4] His multifaceted career spans music, television, and film production, including starring in and producing the 2022 romantic comedy Surprise Trip.[5][6] Raised in the heart of Hollywood, Moss developed an early passion for music after watching The Beatles perform on The Ed Sullivan Show at age 11, prompting him to learn drums and later guitar by age 14.[7] He formed several bands during his youth before co-founding Player in 1976, which signed with RSO Records and released their self-titled debut album the following year, featuring the iconic soft rock ballad that sold millions worldwide.[3][2] Transitioning to acting in the 1980s, Moss landed his breakthrough role as the charismatic architect Ridge Forrester, a character central to the show's dramatic storylines involving romance, family intrigue, and corporate battles at Forrester Creations.[8] Over his 25-year tenure, he earned multiple Soap Opera Digest Award nominations, including for Hottest Male Star in 1997 and 1998, and Favorite Triangle in 2005.[9] Moss departed The Bold and the Beautiful in 2012 amid reported contract disputes and a desire to pursue other ventures.[6] Post-soap, he has focused on music production, film, and international appearances, including writing original scores for his projects and performing concerts in Europe, such as in Italy, Bulgaria, and Belgium.[10] In 2022, he produced and starred in Surprise Trip, a romantic comedy about relocation and family life, and attended the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024 to promote his work.[5][6] In 2025, he directed and starred in the western Tex McKenzie, which premiered at the Rome Film Festival in October. By 2025, Moss embraced a natural gray-haired look, sharing shirtless selfies on social media that highlighted his transformed appearance at age 73, marking a personal evolution alongside his ongoing creative endeavors.[11][12]Early life
Childhood and family background
Ronn Moss, born Ronald Montague Moss on March 4, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, grew up immersed in the vibrant entertainment landscape of Hollywood.[1] From an early age, he was exposed to the worlds of theater, concerts, and rock music, which permeated his family's environment and influenced his developing interests.[7] His father worked as an impresario—a term for a promoter and producer in the entertainment industry—who owned a ticket agency, granting Moss frequent access to performers and live events that sparked his fascination with music and performance. His mother served as a horse riding trainer for celebrities, adding to the family's connections within Los Angeles' celebrity circles and contributing to a home life rich in cultural and artistic stimuli.[6] Moss had one sibling, a sister named Linda Moss, who later built a career as a sound editor in the film industry, working on notable productions such as Dances with Wolves, and who passed away in 2023.[13][14] A defining moment in Moss's childhood occurred at age 11, when he watched The Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, an event that profoundly ignited his passion for music and set the course for his future pursuits.[7] This blend of familial influences and early encounters with iconic performances in the heart of Hollywood fostered an environment that nurtured his creative ambitions.Musical beginnings
Ronn Moss began his musical journey at the age of 11, inspired by The Beatles' appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964.[7] This pivotal moment ignited his passion for rock and roll, leading him to aspire to play drums like Ringo Starr.[15] Growing up in Hollywood, California, amid the burgeoning 1960s local music scene, Moss was immersed in the vibrant rock and roll culture of Los Angeles, which further shaped his early interests.[7] Initially focusing on drums, Moss taught himself the instrument and later took formal lessons in Hollywood while expanding to guitar and electric bass.[7] To afford his first musical instruments, he earned pocket money by cleaning stables, reflecting his determination from a young age. By age 11, he had formed his first band, auditioning neighborhood kids to join him, marking the start of his hands-on experience in music. During his teenage years in the late 1960s, Moss played in local bands with junior high friends, including longtime collaborator John Friesen, performing in Los Angeles clubs despite being underage.[7][16] These formative garage and club experiences in the dynamic LA rock scene honed his skills on bass and guitar, solidifying his commitment to music.[7] By the early 1970s, Moss had decided to pursue music as a profession, transitioning from amateur setups to seeking professional opportunities.[17]Music career
Time with Player
Ronn Moss co-founded the band Player in 1976 as the bassist and backing vocalist, teaming up with Peter Beckett on lead vocals and guitar, J.C. Crowley on keyboards and vocals, and John Friesen on drums.[18][19] The group, managed by Paul Palmer, quickly secured a recording deal with RSO Records after showcasing their material to producers Jimmy Iovine and Denny Cordell.[19] Player released their self-titled debut album in June 1977, which featured the lead single "Baby Come Back," written by Beckett and Crowley.[19] The track, released in late 1977, climbed to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, holding the top position for three weeks in January 1978 and becoming the band's signature hit.[20] This success propelled the album to gold status and established Player's presence in the soft rock genre, characterized by melodic hooks, layered harmonies, and breezy keyboards.[19] Moss contributed prominently to the band's sound through his bass lines, which provided a steady rhythmic foundation for tracks like "Baby Come Back," and his backing vocals that enhanced the harmonious vocal arrangements.[17] His early training on bass, honed during his musical beginnings, allowed him to integrate seamlessly into Player's polished soft rock style.[17] Following the release of their second album, Danger Zone, in 1978, which included moderate hits like "Prisoner of Your Love," the original lineup of Player disbanded amid shifting personal priorities, marking the end of their initial run.[21]Solo albums and releases
Ronn Moss released his debut solo album, I'm Your Man, in 2000 through Force Records.[22] The album blends original compositions with covers, including a reimagining of Player's hit "Baby Come Back," and features tracks like "Generate," "For the Rest of My Life," and "All I Have to Give."[23] Self-produced by Moss, it emphasizes a soft rock style rooted in his experiences from the band Player era.[24] In 2005, Moss issued his second solo album, Uncovered, via Rubato Music and On Music.[25] This release incorporates a mix of rock-oriented tracks and personal songs, such as "You're My Addiction" (co-written with Peter Beckett and Steve Plunkett) and "Butterfly," dedicated to his daughters.[26] Again self-produced, Uncovered reflects a shift toward a more mature soft rock sound with AOR influences, highlighting Moss's creative independence post-Player.[27] Moss continued his solo output with My Baby's Back in 2018 and Lockdown Lover in 2020, both self-produced albums featuring a mix of original material and covers in his soft rock style.[28][29] Beyond these albums, Moss has pursued additional solo releases, including the single "For the Rest of My Life" from his debut, which gained prominence as a standalone track.[30] He has also engaged in collaborations, notably the 2023 Italian-language cover "Io Che Amo Solo Te" featuring Player, featured on the album Surprise Trip Love.[31] These efforts underscore Moss's evolving focus on personal expression and international appeal in his independent music output.Tours and live performances
Moss embarked on his first solo tour in the early 2000s to promote his debut album I'm Your Man, performing across international venues including Australia, where the album's Australian edition featured a duet version of Player's hit "Baby Come Back."[16][10] In 2006, Moss reunited with Player for a tour of Australia from August to September, marking a significant revival of the band's live presence after years of inactivity; this outing, his second Down Under with the group, included performances of classic tracks and supported the release of his solo album Uncovered.[16][10] Player's 2015 U.S. tour featured Moss alongside co-founder Peter Beckett, with joint dates alongside bands like Orleans, Ambrosia, and Little River Band as part of yacht rock showcases, including the Rock the Yacht event at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey.[32][10] Following a professional parting with Beckett in mid-2017, Moss continued live performances under the banner of Ronn Moss' Player, blending the band's enduring hits such as "Baby Come Back" with selections from his solo catalog to engage audiences in intimate and high-energy settings.[33] In 2025, Moss conducted a summer tour across Italy, delivering full concerts in locations including Cagliari in Sardinia, Bologna, Borgia, Cassina De' Bracchi, and Nuova Gibellina, showcasing his charismatic stage presence and a mix of rock and personal material.[34][35] Later that year, Moss headlined the "An Evening with Ronn Moss" tour in Finland during October, with performances at venues such as Tavara-asema and Savoy-teatteri, offering fans an atmospheric close-up of his iconic style and musical evolution.[36][37]Acting career
Role on The Bold and the Beautiful
Ronn Moss originated the role of Ridge Forrester on the CBS daytime soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful when the series premiered in 1987.[4][1] As the charismatic heir to the Forrester fashion empire and a skilled designer, Ridge quickly became a central figure, embodying the show's blend of romance, family drama, and high-stakes business intrigue. Moss's casting leveraged his prior music career, which infused his performance with a natural charisma that resonated with audiences worldwide.[4] Moss's tenure spanned 25 years, from 1987 to 2012, during which he appeared in 4,493 episodes.[1] The character's arc was dominated by an intense love triangle with Brooke Logan, played by Katherine Kelly Lang, and Taylor Hayes, portrayed by Hunter Tylo, spanning decades and fueling iconic storylines such as secret affairs, presumed deaths, and multiple marriages that captivated viewers and defined the series' emotional core.[38][6] This rivalry not only propelled ratings but also established Ridge as a symbol of enduring passion and conflict in soap opera history. Throughout his run, Moss received multiple Soap Opera Digest Award nominations for his portrayal, including for Hottest Male Star in 1997 and 1998, as well as Favorite Triangle in 2005.[9][39] These accolades highlighted his ability to sustain a compelling leading performance over thousands of episodes, contributing significantly to his rise as a daytime television icon. Moss exited the role in 2012 after failing to renew his contract amid disputes over salary and other terms.[40][41] His departure marked the end of an era, yet fans have long viewed Moss's interpretation as the definitive Ridge Forrester, often expressing nostalgia for his version of the character in interviews and fan discussions, underscoring his enduring legacy on the genre.[42][43]Other television appearances
Moss's early television work outside his long-running soap role included a guest appearance on the HBO series Six Feet Under in 2002, where he played a soap actor in the episode "The Liar and the Whore."[44] This cameo drew on his established persona in daytime drama, highlighting the meta-commentary on the industry.[45] In 1995, he starred in the Italian miniseries Il barone, portraying the character Bruno Brian Sajeva in a production that explored aristocratic intrigue.[46] The role marked one of his initial forays into European television, leveraging his growing international recognition from American soaps.[1] Following his departure from The Bold and the Beautiful in 2012, Moss expanded into reality and digital formats. He appeared as himself on the 2014 episode of Celebrity Wife Swap, exchanging lifestyles with General Hospital actor Tyler Christopher and their spouses, offering a glimpse into his post-soap personal life.[47] This exposure maintained his visibility among soap audiences during a transitional period. Moss ventured into international soaps with a 2015 guest role as Ian on the Belgian series Familie, filming scenes in Los Angeles that integrated his character into the show's family dynamics storyline.[48] The appearance, spanning multiple episodes, catered to his European fanbase and showcased his versatility in multilingual markets. His most notable post-2012 television commitment was the recurring role of John Blackwell on the digital drama The Bay from 2015 to 2020, where he depicted a former district attorney entangled in coastal scandals.[49] As both actor and producer, Moss contributed to the series' creative direction, helping it secure four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series between 2015 and 2019.[50] This involvement solidified his shift toward web-based productions, blending acting with behind-the-scenes influence in the evolving landscape of serialized television.[51]Film roles
Ronn Moss made his feature film debut in the Italian historical fantasy Hearts and Armour (1983), portraying the Saracen warrior Ruggero, a heroic figure who falls in love with the character Bradamante amid medieval battles and chivalric quests.[52] This early role showcased his ability to embody romantic and adventurous leads in international productions.[3] In the late 1980s, Moss appeared in American action films, including Hard Ticket to Hawaii (1987), where he played Rowdy Abilene, a tough operative combating drug smugglers and terrorists on a tropical island. The film, a low-budget exploitation entry, emphasized high-octane stunts and received modest cult attention for its over-the-top elements, though it lacked wide theatrical distribution. He followed with a supporting role as Albert in the thriller Deadly Breed (1989), depicting a character entangled in a plot involving a parole officer uncovering a white supremacist conspiracy. These roles leveraged Moss's physicality and charisma, often casting him as dramatic or antagonistic figures in character-driven genre pieces. Transitioning from his prominent television work, Moss resumed film appearances in the 2000s with the action thriller The Alternate (2000), also released as Agent of Death, in which he portrayed the Fake President during a botched publicity stunt that escalates into a real kidnapping crisis.[53] The direct-to-video project featured ensemble action sequences but garnered low critical scores for its formulaic plot. In Christmas in Love (2004), he made a cameo as himself in a lighthearted holiday film blending music and romance. Moss's later film contributions focused on independent projects, including the role of Abraham in the western Trail Blazers (2022), where he played a reformed outlaw navigating family redemption in the American frontier.[54] That same year, he starred as Michael Dacruz and served as executive producer in the romantic comedy Surprise Trip, a story of unexpected romance during a family vacation gone awry.[5] In 2025, Moss made his directorial debut with the western Tex McKenzie, in which he also starred as the titular bounty hunter facing personal and professional challenges in a lawless frontier. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival on October 22, 2025.[55] These indies highlighted his enduring appeal in romantic and dramatic archetypes, rooted in his soap opera background, though his film career has been marked by limited major releases and emphasis on niche, character-focused narratives rather than box office successes.[56]Filmography
Television credits
Ronn Moss's television career primarily revolves around soap operas, with guest appearances and reality TV roles supplementing his main credits. He originated the iconic role of Ridge Forrester on the long-running CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful, which established him as a staple in the genre.[1]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–2012 | The Bold and the Beautiful | Ridge Forrester | Series regular; originated the role, appearing in over 500 episodes across 25 years.[57][4] |
| 1995 | Il barone | Bruno Brian Sajeva | TV mini-series; 4 episodes.[46] |
| 2002 | Six Feet Under | Soap Actor | Guest appearance; 1 episode.[58] |
| 2014 | Celebrity Wife Swap | Self | Reality TV episode; swapped with General Hospital actor Tyler Christopher. |
| 2014 | General Hospital | Self (with band Player) | Guest appearance; performed "Baby Come Back" at the Nurses' Ball in 1 episode.[59][60] |
| 2014–2019 | The Bay | John Blackwell | Main role in digital soap series; also executive producer, contributing to multiple Daytime Emmy wins for the series, which has earned 23 overall.[49][50][51]) |
| 2018 | This Is Our Christmas | Gatekeeper | TV movie.[61] |
| 2020 | Studio City | Ronn Moss | Guest role playing himself; 1 episode, nominated for Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Performer.[9] |
Film credits
Ronn Moss has appeared in several feature films throughout his career, often in supporting or character roles. The following is a chronological list of his verified film credits.| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Hearts and Armour | Ruggero | Giacomo Battiato | Italian fantasy film; Moss's acting debut.[62] |
| 1987 | Hard Ticket to Hawaii | Rowdy Abilene | Andy Sidaris | Action-adventure film.[63] |
| 2000 | The Alternate | Fake President | Sam Firstenberg | Action thriller.[53] |
| 2004 | Christmas in Love | Himself | Neri Parenti | Cameo appearance in romantic comedy.[64] |
| 2008 | Bolt | Dr. Forrester (voice) | Chris Williams, Byron Howard | Animated adventure film.[65] |
| 2008 | Her Morbid Desires (segment of The Boneyard Collection) | Count Dracula | Edward L. Plumb | Horror anthology segment.[66] |
| 2022 | Surprise Trip | Michael Dacruz | Roberto Baeli | Romantic comedy; Moss also served as producer.[5] |
| 2022 | Trail Blazers | Abraham | Antonio Sabàto Jr. | Adventure film.[54] |
| 2025 | Tex McKenzie | Tex McKenzie | Ronn Moss | Western; Moss also directed. Premiered at Rome Film Festival in October 2025.[67] |