Biography

Ross Turner is an American actor best known for his recurring role as Liberty High School mathematics teacher Mr. Wood in four episodes of the Netflix series "13 Reasons Why." Commercial audiences may also recognize him beneath extensive prosthetic makeup as the "Zombie CEO" at the center of Upwork’s 15 spot 2023 campaign, winner of multiple Clio Awards and shortlisted at Cannes Lions.

Turner came to screen acting nearly by accident after two decades in theater and stand-up comedy. Filmmaker Len Dell’Amico, known for his concert films with the Grateful Dead, discovered Turner performing in a comedy showcase alongside Robin Williams and cast him in the lead role of Bobby in "Welcome to Dopeland" (2010), launching a screen career that now encompasses nearly 50 feature films, over 80 short subjects, and 90+ commercials.

His feature work includes a leading role in "MindReader," and supporting-lead roles in "Torch," "Adjunct," "A Normal Life," and "The Wisdom Tree." He also appeared in "Manifest West," which won Best Genre Film at the Mammoth Film Festival; "Quitters," a Grand Jury Award nominee in SXSW’s Narrative Feature Competition; and "Man from Reno," winner of Best Narrative Feature at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Turner’s television credits include appearances on "General Hospital" (ABC), and "Chance" (Hulu), guest-starring roles on INSP’s "Wild West Chronicles" and "Elkhorn," and multiple appearances on Japanese television, where he guest-starred in three episodes of NTV’s "Sekai Gyoten News" and appeared on TBS Japan’s "World Hanzai Mystery."

His performances in "The Bumbry Encounter" and "Ghost in the Gun" have earned a combined 11 festival acting awards, including a Best Acting Ensemble honor shared with Tim Russ. "The Bumbry Encounter" screened at Mill Valley, Raindance, and Palm Springs, while three other films featuring Turner ("Mesmera," "The Hartmanns," and "SubURB") were selected for the Oscar-qualifying LA Shorts International Film Festival in 2026.

Drawing on his background in both drama and comedy, Turner is known for intelligent, emotionally layered character work, understated wit, and quiet authority...qualities he brings to complicated fathers, formidable professionals, unsettling antagonists, and other men accustomed to commanding the room.
- IMDb mini biography by: Ross Turner