We all know the hair. We know the "Black-ish" timing and the impeccable red carpet style that Tracee Ellis Ross brings to every single appearance. It’s easy to look at her and see the towering shadow of her mother, the legendary Diana Ross. But if you really want to understand where that sharp, goofy, and fiercely independent streak comes from, you have to look at the man she calls "Bob."
Robert Ellis Silberstein—or Bob Ellis, as he’s often known—isn't just some guy who was married to a diva in the seventies. Honestly, he’s a bit of a low-key legend in his own right. He’s the guy who managed the Rolling Stones’ Ronnie Wood and discovered Chaka Khan. He’s also the man who gave Tracee the half of her DNA that provides that specific, wacky sense of humor she shares with her millions of followers.
The Man Behind the Music (and the Marriage)
Robert wasn't born into the glitz of Hollywood. He came from a family of Jewish garment manufacturers in New Jersey. Imagine that transition: from the garment district to managing the biggest rock stars on the planet. He moved to LA in the late sixties, and the way he met Diana Ross is basically a rom-com script.
They were in a men’s shop. Diana was trying to buy a gift for Berry Gordy (yes, that Berry Gordy) and asked Robert for help. Two months later, in January 1971, they were married.
It was a whirlwind.
But here’s the thing that people often get wrong or forget: their marriage only lasted about six years. They divorced in 1977. Yet, if you look at their family today, you’d never know there was a "split." They are famously close. Robert didn't just walk away when the marriage ended; he stayed as a central pillar of the Ross clan.
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More Than Just a Biological Connection
One of the most telling things about Robert Ellis Silberstein is his relationship with Rhonda Ross Kendrick, Diana’s eldest daughter. Biologically, Rhonda is the daughter of Berry Gordy. But Robert married Diana when she was pregnant, and he raised Rhonda as his own daughter from day one.
Rhonda didn't even know Gordy was her biological father until she was thirteen. That’s the kind of guy Robert is. He didn't see "biological" vs. "step." He just saw his kid. Tracee has often pointed to this as the foundation of their family’s strength. It’s not about bloodlines; it’s about who shows up.
Why Tracee Changed Her Name (and It Wasn't for Fame)
There's a common misconception that Tracee uses the name "Ellis Ross" just to bridge the gap between her two famous parents. While that’s part of it, the real story is much more personal.
At one point, Robert decided to drop "Silberstein" from his professional name and go by Robert Ellis. Tracee, who was already building her own identity, felt a massive pull to follow suit. She told W Magazine that she felt very strongly about having her father’s name in her name.
"Everyone knows I'm my mom's daughter, but I'm also very much my dad's daughter," she said. It wasn't about SEO or branding. It was about a daughter wanting to carry her father’s legacy alongside her mother’s.
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The Source of the "Ross" Humor
If you follow Tracee on Instagram, you’ve seen the videos. The ones where she’s wandering through a grocery store, making faces, or doing bit-style commentary on her own life. That’s pure Bob Ellis.
Tracee has gone on record saying her humor is a direct gift from her dad. He’s the one who taught her not to take life too seriously. You can see it in the way they interact—like a 2017 video of them at Whole Foods where they were basically just two kids laughing at turkey samples.
He’s 80 now (born in 1946), but he still has that "vibrant and joyful" energy Tracee constantly raves about. During the pandemic, Tracee’s post about finally getting to hug him after months apart went viral because the emotion was so raw. He isn't a "celebrity dad" who stays in the background; he's the guy she's calling when she needs a laugh or a reality check.
The Business Mind
Don't let the goofy videos fool you. Robert was a shark in the music business. His client list during the 70s and 80s was insane:
- Billy Preston
- Meat Loaf
- Status Quo
- Chaka Khan (via the band Rufus)
- The Rolling Stones (Ronnie Wood)
He knew how to navigate the egos and the chaos of the industry, which probably explains why his kids turned out so grounded despite growing up in the literal epicenter of fame.
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What Most People Miss About Robert Ellis Silberstein
We live in a culture of "messy" divorces and "blended family" drama. The Ross-Silberstein dynamic is the antidote to that. Even in 2026, you'll still see Robert sitting front row at events supporting his daughters, often alongside Diana.
There’s no awkwardness. There’s no "ex-husband" tension.
The actionable takeaway from Robert's life? It’s the way he handled the end of a high-profile marriage. He prioritized the "father" role over the "ex-husband" role. He shows that you can be a powerhouse in a cutthroat industry like music management while still being the guy who's "present" for school runs and family dinners.
Practical insights from the Robert Ellis Silberstein story:
- Identity is a choice: Tracee’s decision to keep "Ellis" in her name reminds us that we can honor all parts of our heritage, even when one part is a global icon.
- Parenting isn't biological: His relationship with Rhonda is a masterclass in what it means to be a father. It’s about the work, not the DNA.
- Laughter as a legacy: If you want your kids to be resilient, teach them to laugh at themselves. It’s clearly worked for the Ross siblings.
Robert Ellis Silberstein might not have the Diva title, but in the world of Tracee Ellis Ross, he’s the undisputed MVP. He provided the grounding wire for a family that could have easily drifted into the clouds of Hollywood ego.
Next time you see Tracee post a video of her "Dad" making a weird face in a hat, remember that's the guy who managed the Stones and helped raise one of the most well-adjusted stars in the business.