Hal Ross, a successful literary, motion picture and television agent, died on July 30 at his Malibu home. He was 86.
Ross’ clients included Fess Parker, Sandy Koufax and Angela Landsbury. He bought a home on Carbon Beach in 1967 and quickly became a fixture in Malibu.
Always concerned with protecting the sand and sea he enjoyed, Ross served on the original Santa Monica Mountains Committee in the 1970’s, and later was appointed to the Board of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. He was active on numerous ad-hoc homeowners committees, working to maintain wider highway lanes and continue the ban on large trucks after the temporary ban during the Big Rock slide days. Hal served on the Los Angeles County Beaches and Harbors Committee as well the Board of the Los Angeles Convention Center and Exhibition Authority. He received numerous official commendations for his longtime public service.
For many years, if Ross was not in the ocean or walking the beach, he could be found playing tennis at the La Costa Tennis Courts or shopping and kibitzing at A&B Plumbing, the Country Liquor Store or Deane’s Men’s Store.
His wife Eley was the driving force to move to Malibu, and she relished every moment here until her premature death in 1977. Son Matt matriculated Webster Elementary, Malibu Park Junior High and Santa Monica High School, and now lives in Pacific Palisades with his wife Sari and their daughters Elana and Erin. Son Dan continues to reside in Malibu with his wife Yolande Erickson and their sons Asher and Dash.
A memorial service took place on Aug. 3 at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue.
