Ross Mathews literally looks like an entirely new man after shedding 50 pounds since June 2020. The beloved TV personality unveiled his svelte new frame in a Nov. 29 Instagram photo, wearing a sleek black jacket and slim-legged jeans. The Hello Ross star told fans that he decided to “reclaim” his “health” after his mom’s tragic passing in May 2020. A month later his diet journey began, and now the 41-year-old looks better than he ever has during his nearly two decades in the public eye, after gaining fame as “Ross the Intern” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in 2001.
Ross’ weight loss has been very noticeable via his Instagram photos he shared during the last several months. But it was his Sunday post where he revealed just how many pounds had come off of his frame and what spurred the life change. “Breaking the pattern. 50lbs down today from my height in early June when I decided to reclaim my health after my mom died (70lbs down from my all-time),” Ross captioned the Instagram photo of him smiling while posing in front of a window in New York city. ” I will always be a work in progress. I may mess up again. I dunno. All I know is that I’m very grateful. And very happy. On we go…” he added, with a red heart emoji.
Ross sadly lost his beloved mom in May 2020 at the too-young age of 69. She was his biggest supporter all of his life, and he took the loss hard. Though ultimately only a month into grieving, he turned it into a weight loss journey.
In a May 30 Instagram post he told fans, “I can’t imagine a world without her. Will colors be less vibrant? Flavors dulled? Laughter muted? She was my audience of one, my head cheerleader, my VIP. And now she’s gone, taken before any of us were ready.”
“But in her 69 years, my mom made colors more vibrant, made food more delicious and laughed with big-hearted, knee-slapping gusto. She made life better. I hope – no, I know – that her spirit lives within me and I will spend the rest of my life trying to be as good as she was, as kind as she was and authentic as she was. I am who I am because of how she loved me. We should all be so lucky. Do me a favor: if you can, tell her your mom you love her today. I wish I could, even just one more time,” Ross added. He lost his father in 2004.