Shorty Rossi Explained

Shorty Rossi
Birth Name:Luigi Francis Rossi
Birth Date:February 10, 1969
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California
Citizenship:United States
Known For:Pit Boss
Occupation:Philanthropist, Bully Rights Activist, Cigar Blender, Author, Producer
Height:122 cm
Years Active:1997–present

Luigi Francis "Shorty" Rossi (born February 10, 1969) is the star of the canceled Pit Boss, a reality series on Animal Planet.[1] He is also the owner and talent manager of Shortywood Productions, a company that works with little people in the entertainment industry and Shorty's Rescue, an organization set up for Pit Bull rescue (which is no longer in service).

Life and career

Rossi was born in Los Angeles, California. He was raised by his parents, also little people. During his childhood, he lived in two very disparate neighborhoods: the San Fernando Valley, a wealthy area in Greater Los Angeles, and Nickerson Gardens Housing Projects in Watts, a poor area in South Central Los Angeles, where he lived with a family friend to avoid conflict at home. By the age of 15, he was living on his own.

In 1987, Rossi graduated from Fremont High School. He joined the neighborhood Blood gang while living there.[2] That year, he was involved in a gang-related shooting and convicted of felonies including attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. He was sent to the California Youth Authority and was later transferred to Folsom State Prison to serve a total sentence of 10 years, 10 months and 10 days.[3]

Looking for a fresh start, Rossi turned to entertainment, soon learning he could earn good money as a little person in show business. His first job in the industry was at Universal Studios Hollywood, where he was "Alvin" for an Alvin and the Chipmunks stage show. Since then, he has appeared in many commercials and movies, the latter including The Grinch, with Jim Carrey; The Kid, with Bruce Willis. He has also appeared on dozens of TV shows and has performed in theater for years. In 2000, Rossi founded a company, Shortywood Productions, to provide little people entertainers for all types of shows, private parties and corporate events, and to manage their careers.

Since owning his first pit bull terrier at the age of 14, Rossi has championed the breed. This led him to form Shorty's Pit Bull Rescue, a second business that rescues, rehabilitates and places neglected and abused pit bulls in new homes. It also aims to restore the reputation of the breed through education, activism and positive pit bull involvement in the community. The dogs have been featured in student and short films as well as public-service commercials and print ads. The group does volunteer work by visiting nursing homes, schools, functions and hospitals. It caught the attention of cable TV network Animal Planet, leading to its continuing series "Pit Boss".

After injuring himself in a stunt, Rossi became interested in service animal training. One of his pit bulls has been involved in the Americans with Disabilities Act community ever since. At present two of his dogs are registered service animals, with one in training.

Shorty has written a tell-all memoir titled Four Feet Tall and Rising, which was released in 2012.

Other legal troubles

During the filming of the 3rd-season premiere of Pit Boss, Shorty Rossi was arrested for breaking and entering after rescuing three neglected pit bulls from a vacant house. The charges were dismissed shortly thereafter when the owner of the dogs, who was on vacation in Europe and unaware that the person she had asked to care for her dogs had never shown up, proved grateful that Rossi had rescued the animals. This was shown in conversations with the owner in episodes 1 and 2.

TV & filmography

YearFilm/TV seriesRoleNotes
1997Ally McBealElfEpisode: Silver Bells (Uncredited Role)
1999Shasta McNastyLil' JoeEpisode: The Menace from Venice (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
PopularElf WaiterEpisode: Fall On Your Knees (Uncredited Role)
2000Los LuchadoresLil' WrestlerEpisode: Pilot
Disney's The KidBullyUncredited Role
SideshowLittle FaceCredited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi
2001The Andy Dick ShowMini-AndyEpisode: "Andy Land" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
The BeastHarryEpisode: The Price (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
Who Knows the BandHimself (Guest appearance)Episode dated October 30, 2001 (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
Call Me ClausGarage ElfTV film (Uncredited Role)
2002Bikini PlanetJeromeCredited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi
The Nick Cannon ShowHimself/Skit'lEpisode: "Nick Takes Over Style" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
Episode: "Nick Takes Over Music" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
ShowtimeMartianUncredited Role
PassionsCigar MunchkinEpisode dated June 14, 2002 (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
2003El MatadorShorty the Little Person
TiptoesAugie
2004Tales of a Fly on the WallAlien Brother-in-LawTV film (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
2005All Babes Want to Kill MeThug/GangsterCredited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi
Half Pint Brawlers: Psycho Midget WrestlingHimselfVideo
2006ZylesZylesShort film (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi)
2008Ice Scream: The ReMixLate Night Patron
Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent AdventureInkCredited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi
Extreme MovieLittle Person #1Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi
2009WWE RawLittle Peoples CourtEpisode dated December 21, 2009
2010–2013Pit BossHimselfTV series
2011Hercules Saves ChristmasHercules (voice)
Brother Shorty
TV film

External links

Notes and References

  1. Nolan, Maureen (May 7, 2011). Shorty Rossi - Animal Planet network star - helps raise money for Syracuse-area animal rescue group, The Post-Standard
  2. Web site: Rose. Tom. Pit Bulls and Felons: Reality TV's Newest Stars?. Comcast TV News. Comcast. 4 October 2011.
  3. (11 October 2010). No Privacy These Days for 'Pit Boss' Star Shorty Rossi, The National Ledger