Trivia

On his tombstone are inscribed the words "This Man Had a Ball".

Had a provision in his will that he be given a comical send-off. He got his wish, as mostly comedians attended his funeral. Among them was Larry Storch. Even Ross' wife was in stitches afterward.

He and his wife were living in a housing complex in Los Angeles and he was hired to do a stand-up act for the residents for $100. In the middle of the show he felt ill, and sat down on the edge of the stage. Almost immediately he keeled over and died, apparently from a heart attack. When his wife later went to the management to collect the $100 he was to be paid, they only gave her $50, saying, "He didn't finish the show".

He was married at least eight times, and possibly 11 (he wasn't quite sure).

Joe E. Ross had the same last name as the real-life husband of Beatrice Pons, the actress who played his on-screen, two-comedy-series TV wife. Beatrice Pons was married to David Ross from 1937 until his death in 1991. Joe E. Ross and Beatrice Pons played husband and wife on The Phil Silvers Show (1955) (MSgt. Rupert Ritzik and Emma Ritzik) and Car 54, Where Are You? (1961) (Officer Gunther Toody and Lucille Toody).

Served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.

Attended Seward Park High School and was once a boy tenor.