Luigi Francis "Shorty" Rossi (born February 10, 1969) is the star of 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 dwarfs in the entertainment industry and Shorty's Rescue, an organization set up for Pit Bull rescue.
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Rossi was raised by his parents, also dwarfs. 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] In jail, he turned his life around. By the time he was released he was determined to make something better of his life.
Looking for a fresh start, Rossi turned to entertainment, soon learning he could earn good money as a dwarf 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 as 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. He has a dog named Hercules
Since owning his first pit bull terrier at the age of 14, Rossi has championed the breed, which he credits with getting him through some of the roughest times in his life. This led him to form Shorty’s Pit Bull Rescue, a second business that rescues, rehabilitates and places neglected and abused pit bulls in loving, nurturing 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.
In 2011, Rossi reunites with his parents in an episode of "Pit Boss".
Shorty is currently writing an upcoming memoir titled Four Feet Tall and Rising, scheduled to be released on January 17, 2012.
| Year | Film/TV series | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Ally McBeal | Elf | Episode: Silver Bells (Uncredited Role) |
| 1999 | Shasta McNasty | Lil' Joe | Episode: The Menace from Venice (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) |
| Popular | Elf Waiter | Episode: Fall On Your Knees (Uncredited Role) | |
| 2000 | Los Luchadores | Lil' Wrestler | Episode: Pilot |
| Disney's The Kid | Bully | Uncredited Role | |
| Sideshow | Little Face | Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi | |
| 2001 | The Andy Dick Show | Mini-Andy | Episode: "Andy Land" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) |
| The Beast | Harry | Episode: The Price (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) | |
| Who Knows the Band | Himself (Guest appearance) | Episode dated October 30, 2001 (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) | |
| Call Me Claus | Garage Elf | TV film (Uncredited Role) | |
| 2002 | Bikini Planet | Jerome | Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi |
| The Nick Cannon Show | Himself/Skittles | Episode: "Nick Takes Over Style" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) | |
| Episode: "Nick Takes Over Music" (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) | |||
| Showtime | Martian | Uncredited Role | |
| Passions | Cigar Munchkin | Episode dated June 14, 2002 (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) | |
| 2003 | El Matador | Shorty the Little Person | |
| Tiptoes | Augie | ||
| 2004 | Tales of a Fly on the Wall | Alien Brother-in-Law | TV film (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) |
| 2005 | All Babes Want to Kill Me | Thug/Gangster | Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi |
| Half Pint Brawlers: Psycho Midget Wrestling | Himself | Video | |
| 2006 | Zyles | Zyles | Short film (Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi) |
| 2008 | Ice Scream: The ReMix | Late Night Patron | |
| Ryan and Sean's Not So Excellent Adventure | Ink | Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi | |
| Extreme Movie | Little Person #1 | Credited as Melvin 'Shorty' Rossi | |
| 2009 | WWE Raw | Little Peoples Court Judge | Episode dated December 21, 2009 |
| 2010–present | Pit Boss | Himself | TV series |
| 2011 | Hercules Saves Christmas | Hercules (voice) Brother Shorty |
TV film |