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==Acting and ministry== ==Acting and ministry==
Rossi relocated to ] in 1997. He returned to preaching, serving as a pastor and church consultant, and moved into acting and filmmaking to explore his interest in creative and cutting-edge expressions of ministry.<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/> He first Hollywood role was in the 1998 short film ''Jesus 2000''. Rossi relocated to ] in 1997. He returned to preaching, serving as a pastor and church consultant, and moved into acting and filmmaking to explore his interest in creative and cutting-edge expressions of ministry.<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/>

⚫ In 1998, he appeared on stage in his own adaptation of '']'', in which he wrote, produced, and starred.<ref name="christianitytoday.com"/> The play was first mounted by Immanuel Community Church in Long Beach, where he was pastor, and later moved to the famed ] Theatre in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite news|
His tenure as pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church was interrupted when parishioners discovered his attempted murder charges and charged that he had misused church money; litigation ensued, and the parties settled out of court.<ref name="levin"/><ref>{{cite news|
publisher=Long Beach Press-Telegram| publisher=Long Beach Press-Telegram|
date=1999-11-20| date=1999-11-20|
title=Pastor faces suit for revising bylaws of church}}</ref><ref></ref> Rossi did not realize at the time that Elmer Gantry was based on Aimee McPherson.<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/> In title=Pastor faces suit for revising bylaws of church}}</ref><ref name=Phillips/><ref></ref>

1999, six trustees of the church filed a civil lawsuit against Rossi,
He first Hollywood role was in the 1998 short film ''Jesus 2000''.
accusing him of "changing the church bylaws", defrauding the church of $15,000, and failing to disclose his criminal conviction.<ref name=Phillips/> Rossi denied the charges, and the case was settled out of court.<ref></ref>
⚫ In 1998, he appeared on stage in his own adaptation of '']'', in which he wrote, produced, and starred.<ref name="christianitytoday.com"/>


He started ], a movement of Hollywood ]es for actors and celebrities who had difficulty attending public services due to ], and also for ] victims and others not welcome to attend other churches. He was protested by followers of ] from ] of ], who decried his lenient attitude toward homosexuals.<ref name="post-gazette.com"></ref> Rossi's wife Sherrie worked with puppets in their children's ministry.<ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> In 2001, Rossi wrote and directed '']'',<ref name="christianexaminer.com"></ref> a short ] about 1920's evangelist ]. The film won the Golden Halo Award from the Southern California Motion Picture He started ], a movement of Hollywood ]es for actors and celebrities who had difficulty attending public services due to ], and also for ] victims and others not welcome to attend other churches. He was protested by followers of ] from ] of ], who decried his lenient attitude toward homosexuals.<ref name="levin"/> Rossi's wife Sherrie worked with puppets in their children's ministry.<ref name="levin"/> In 2001, Rossi wrote and directed '']'',<ref name="christianexaminer.com"></ref> a short ] about 1920's evangelist ]. The film won the Golden Halo Award from the Southern California Motion Picture Council for best documentary.{{cn}} In November, 2001, Rossi received restoration treatment for depression and healing from childhood abuse at Healing for the Nations ministry in ], Georgia. "I was trying to help everybody else, but I was feeling empty inside," Rossi said. "It was like I was trying to fix the whole world, but I couldn't fix myself. It was a pretty lonely feeling."<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/>
Council for best documentary.<ref name="charismamag.com"></ref> In November, 2001, Rossi received restoration treatment for depression and healing from childhood abuse at Healing for the Nations ministry in ], Georgia. "I was trying to help everybody else, but I was feeling empty inside," Rossi said. "It was like I was trying to fix the whole world, but I couldn't fix myself. It was a pretty lonely feeling."<ref name="74.125.155.132"></ref><ref name="charismamag.com"/><ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/> Rossi confessed the story of Sister Aimee helped him understand his own story. "I really identify with her because she prayed for healings for thousands, but could not seem to get healing for herself and her own personal relationships," Rossi said. "When I was in the healing ministry, the more I was up on a pedestal the more isolated and depressed I became."<ref name="74.125.155.132"/><ref name="charismamag.com"/>


In 2005, Rossi revisited Sister Aimee's story in the feature ] '']''. Filmed for under $75,000, it starred actors who understood the paltry budget and worked for free<ref name="ReferenceB"></ref> including ] as Aimee, and ] as Aimee's father James Kennedy. Rossi cast ]'s granddaughter, ], in a role.<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> '']''<ref></ref> and '']'' magazine praised the film, though the latter noted the movie's "shoestring production values."<ref></ref> Christianity Today said "Rossi gives insight into the emotional dysfunction arising from ]'s adulation of flawed and charismatic leaders...the film veers into ] and reflects the psyche of the writer/director."<ref name="christianitytoday.com"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> The ] honored the film with an exhibition as part of their SAG Conversations Series. Rossi and ] spoke at the event in the In 2005, Rossi revisited Sister Aimee's story in the feature ] '']''. Filmed for under $75,000, it starred actors who understood the paltry budget and worked for free<ref name="ReferenceB"></ref> including ] as Aimee, and ] as Aimee's father James Kennedy. Rossi cast ]'s granddaughter, ], in a role.<ref name="eastvalleytribune.com"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> '']''<ref></ref> and '']'' magazine praised the film, though the latter noted the movie's "shoestring production values."<ref></ref> Christianity Today said "Rossi gives insight into the emotional dysfunction arising from ]'s adulation of flawed and charismatic leaders...the film veers into ] and reflects the psyche of the writer/director."<ref name="christianitytoday.com"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/> The ] honored the film with an exhibition as part of their SAG Conversations Series. Rossi and ] spoke at the event in the
] Auditorium.<ref name="charisma"/> ] Auditorium.<ref name="charisma"/>
<ref></ref>. The movie was nominated for best feature in ], Italy at the Sabaoth International Film Festival,<ref></ref> voted one of the top guerrilla films of all time, attracted a record crowd to Hollywood's Beverly Cinema,<ref name="charismamag.com"/> and has generated mostly positive feedback since it's worldwide release by Maverick Entertainment under the new title ''Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story''.<ref name="post-gazette.com"/><ref name="christianexaminer.com"/><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref><ref></ref> <ref></ref>. The movie was nominated for best feature in ], Italy at the Sabaoth International Film Festival,<ref></ref> voted one of the top guerrilla films of all time, attracted a record crowd to Hollywood's Beverly Cinema,<ref name="charismamag.com"/> and has generated mostly positive feedback since it's worldwide release by Maverick Entertainment under the new title ''Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story''.<ref name="levin"/>


Between acting gigs, Rossi appeared as a contestant on "]."<ref name="ppg1227"/> In addition, Rossi finished his first ] "Stick Man" and began working on a film about baseball great ], planning a "bicoastal" return to Pittsburgh.<ref name="levin"/><ref name="kurutz">{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_581757.html|title=Minister jailed for beating wife in '94 plans return to Pittsburgh|last=Kurutz|first=Daveen Rae|date=August 8, 2008|work=]|accessdate=19 February 2010}}</ref> Between acting gigs, Rossi appeared as a contestant on "]."<ref name="ppg1227"/> In addition, Rossi finished his first ] "Stick Man" and began working on a film about baseball great ], planning a "bicoastal" return to Pittsburgh.<ref name="levin"/><ref name="kurutz">{{cite news|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_581757.html|title=Minister jailed for beating wife in '94 plans return to Pittsburgh|last=Kurutz|first=Daveen Rae|date=August 8, 2008|work=]|accessdate=19 February 2010}}</ref>

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Richard Rossi (b. March 2, 1963,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is an American filmmaker, actor, producer, musician, church planter, and healing evangelist. His 1995 trial for the attempted murder of his wife, who recanted her original identification of Rossi as her attacker and espoused his innocence, ended in a mistrial and was front-page news in Pittsburgh and widely covered by syndicated television news programs.

Early years

The son of Richard Rossi Sr., a professional jazz guitarist. As a young boy in West View, Pennsylvania, Rossi picked up the guitar and "fell in love with it." Throughout Rossi's early years, his father was put into a mental institution for a bipolar disorder which by all accounts devastated Rossi, who idolized Richard Rossi Sr. As a child, Rossi was fascinated with Pittsburgh-based faith healer Kathryn Kuhlman. After one of his father's hospitalizations for manic depression, Rossi landed in a surrogate family led by an evangelist who immersed him in Pentecostal preaching and outreach. Turning to religion to fill the hole left by his father, he became a born-again Christian, and toured as a rock and roll preacher, usually in tandem with songwriting partner Johnny Walker, playing a unique brand of gospel rock. He was featured on The 700 Club and in the CBS documentary Teen's Songs Turn Youth to God. His music from this period was released on the album New Wine. Rossi was considered a controversial figure in contemporary Christian music for writing religious rock and singing his songs in secular nightclubs. His blend of rock music and spiritual healing filled clubs like Pittsburgh's Graffiti.

Ministries

Rossi moved to Lynchburg, Virginia at age 18 to study at Liberty University, where he earned a Bachelors and Master's degree in Biblical Studies. He married his classmate Sherrie Lynn Plaugher on May 11, 1984. In his senior year, he started his first church, "The Fellowship."

His second church, created with partner Jack Sims, was called "Matthew's Party", the name taken from the biblical story about Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners at the home of Matthew, the gospel writer. In 1986, Rossi started First Love, a charismatic church. He rented movie theaters and showed films as an evangelistic outreach. Dramatic faith healings allegedly occurred. The healing services grew from 200 to 2000. Rossi filmed the healings and produced a Fox TV documentary on faith healing and exorcism that Christianity Today, a magazine founded by Billy Graham, called a "riveting film," an "innovative Christian use of media."

In 1988, Rossi tried and failed to change both the name of The Church of the Three Rivers and its affiliation. He then joined the Assemblies of God the next year and led the Cranberry church, but left in 1991, saying that his ministry was too radical for the Assemblies; church officials said he left owing several thousand dollars for the church building.

In September 1991, Rossi began broadcasting his nightly radio show Rich Rossi Live on Pittsburgh's WPIT-FM. According to his account, he drew opposition from established clergy who said the miraculous signs and wonders the press reported were not biblical, because "healing miracles were unique to Christ and the Twelve Apostles to authenticate their message, and had not occurred since the first century." (Pittsburgh Press, July 11, 1990, Megan O'Matz, "Rock Assuages."). Rossi, again according to his own account, was criticized by other clerics for his use of rock and roll music, his casual attire, and his criticism of conventional Christianity. (Pittsburgh Press, "Rock Assuages," 7/11/1990) In contrast to his conservative Christian background, Rossi was continually drawn to the edgier sides of faith.

Rossi appeared on the Jerry Springer show in 1994 to discuss faith healing, exorcism, and ESP.

Attempted murder charge

On June 24, 1994, Rossi's wife, Sherrie Lynn, was found near death in a coma on the side of a Pennsylvania road; she had a crushed skull and was left covered in blood. Ms. Rossi initially identified her attacker as her husband. Richard denied the allegation, telling authorities that a man who looked just like him, driving a car just like his, had hijacked his wife's car and beat his wife. Press accounts claimed that Rossi attributed the attack to a Satanic cult, but Rossi denies this. Sherrie Lynn received an order of protection from a court, but, in October 1994, withdrew her accusation. (Press accounts claimed that Ms. Rossi stated that her attacker was actually a demon in human form, but the Rossis deny they said this.) Sherrie's stepbrother, Mark Plaugher, accused the Rossi family of pressuring her to change her story.

Rossi was charged with attempted murder, but a trial ended in a hung jury, with the vote 9-3 in favor of conviction. Before retrial, Rossi pled no contest to a count of second-degree aggravated assault, and received a four-to-eight month sentence in Butler County Jail plus four years probation and required domestic-violence counseling; he served 96 days. Domestic violence workers criticized the short sentence. The Rossis renewed their wedding vows after his release.

Sherrie Rossi, who had campaigned for her husband's exoneration, sued state and county officials for abridging her civil rights when courts refused to lift a bond restriction forbidding her husband to contact her while he was out on bail; the suit was dismissed by a federal court. In 1996, Sherrie self-published Assault of Justice: The Richard Rossi Mystery, defending her husband and proclaiming his innocence, and claiming that charges were retaliation for exposing police corruption and a Satanic cult. A press release alleged Rossi was innocent based on physical evidence and the testimony of eyewitnesses.

While charges were pending and Rossi served his sentence, membership in his church dropped from 300 to 12.

Acting and ministry

Rossi relocated to Hollywood in 1997. He returned to preaching, serving as a pastor and church consultant, and moved into acting and filmmaking to explore his interest in creative and cutting-edge expressions of ministry.

His tenure as pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church was interrupted when parishioners discovered his attempted murder charges and charged that he had misused church money; litigation ensued, and the parties settled out of court.

He first Hollywood role was in the 1998 short film Jesus 2000. In 1998, he appeared on stage in his own adaptation of Elmer Gantry, in which he wrote, produced, and starred.

He started Eternal Grace, a movement of Hollywood house churches for actors and celebrities who had difficulty attending public services due to paparazzi, and also for AIDS victims and others not welcome to attend other churches. He was protested by followers of Fred Phelps from Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, who decried his lenient attitude toward homosexuals. Rossi's wife Sherrie worked with puppets in their children's ministry. In 2001, Rossi wrote and directed Saving Sister Aimee, a short documentary film about 1920's evangelist Aimee McPherson. The film won the Golden Halo Award from the Southern California Motion Picture Council for best documentary. In November, 2001, Rossi received restoration treatment for depression and healing from childhood abuse at Healing for the Nations ministry in Atlanta, Georgia. "I was trying to help everybody else, but I was feeling empty inside," Rossi said. "It was like I was trying to fix the whole world, but I couldn't fix myself. It was a pretty lonely feeling."

In 2005, Rossi revisited Sister Aimee's story in the feature biopic Aimee Semple McPherson. Filmed for under $75,000, it starred actors who understood the paltry budget and worked for free including Mimi Michaels as Aimee, and Rance Howard as Aimee's father James Kennedy. Rossi cast Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter, Kiera Chaplin, in a role. Christianity Today and Charisma magazine praised the film, though the latter noted the movie's "shoestring production values." Christianity Today said "Rossi gives insight into the emotional dysfunction arising from Pentecostalism's adulation of flawed and charismatic leaders...the film veers into psychohistory and reflects the psyche of the writer/director." The Screen Actors Guild honored the film with an exhibition as part of their SAG Conversations Series. Rossi and Rance Howard spoke at the event in the James Cagney Auditorium. . The movie was nominated for best feature in Milan, Italy at the Sabaoth International Film Festival, voted one of the top guerrilla films of all time, attracted a record crowd to Hollywood's Beverly Cinema, and has generated mostly positive feedback since it's worldwide release by Maverick Entertainment under the new title Sister Aimee: The Aimee Semple McPherson Story.

Between acting gigs, Rossi appeared as a contestant on "Merv Griffin's Crosswords." In addition, Rossi finished his first novel "Stick Man" and began working on a film about baseball great Roberto Clemente, planning a "bicoastal" return to Pittsburgh.

Discography

  • "Ballad of Johnny Walker" (Aircraft Records, 1982)
  • "New Wine" (SisArt Music Audio Cassette, 1993)
  • "Live At Graffiti's" (SisArt LiveConcert VHS Cassette), 1994
  • "Full Circle" (Eternal Grace Records cassette, 1996)
  • "Richard Rossi Raw" (Eternal Grace Records, Five Cassette Anthology, 1998)
  • "Songs of Worship" (Eternal Grace Records, 2002)
  • "More Heaven" (Eternal Grace Records, 2007)

Filmography

  • "Live Fast, Die Young" (2008)Role of Rich Stevens.
  • "Aimee Semple McPherson:aka Sister Aimee:The Aimee Semple McPherson Story" (Maverick Entertainment, 2006)Role of David Hutton.
  • "Judy" (2005)Role of Gavin.
  • "Close to Home" (2001)Role of Officer Miles.
  • "Saving Sister Aimee" (2001)
  • "Thirteen Days" (2000)Role of Reporter.
  • "Gilmore Girls" (2000)Role of Allen, One episode.
  • "Nikki" (2000) Dancer, one episode.
  • "Diagnosis Murder"(2000)ATM Customer, one episode.
  • "X-Files" (2000) Witness #2, one episode.
  • "JAG" (2000) Role of Jake, one episode.
  • "Arrest and Trial" (2000) Jury Foreman, one episode.
  • "Pacific Blue" (1999) Role of Officer Emerson.
  • "The King of Queens" (1998) College Student, one episode.
  • "To Have & to Hold" (1998) Wedding guest, pilot.
  • "Jesus 2000" (1998)Role of Larry Beauberri
  • "Players" (1998) Role of Con man, one episode
  • "Significant Others" (1998) Role of Crew member, one episode.
  • "Ally McBeal" (1997) Role of Cute Barfly, one episode.
  • "The Practice" (1997) Role of Attorney Cohen, one episode.
  • "Live At Grafitti's" (1994)Role of Troubadour.
  • "Quest for Truth" (1992)
  • "Lightmusic" (1983-1986)Musical Guest.
  • "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" (1979)Role of Roy.

External links

References

This article has an unclear citation style. The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of citation and footnoting. (September 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
  2. ^ Karen Kane (1995-05-19). "No-contest plea entered for assault". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. A1.
  3. ^ Levin, Steve. "Rev. Rossi back in news as Hollywood success story". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  4. ^ Donnally, Ed (October 2005). "Filmmaker Tells Story of 'Wounded Healer'". Charisma. Retrieved 2007-07-31. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^
  6. ^
  7. ^
  8. ^ "'Sopranos' lawsuit brings up question of idea ownership". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. December 27, 2007. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  9. "Museum Fetes Fred Rogers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. June 4, 1994. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  10. ^ Karen Kane (1994-10-13). "'My Husband Is Not To Blame'". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. A1.
  11. ^ Kim Phillips (1999-11-21). "Pastor Wins By Default". Long Beach Press-Telegram. p. A2.
  12. ^ Alyssa Gabbay (1995-01-15). "Is villain Satan or man. . . ?". Houston Chronicle. p. A4.
  13. ^ "The Trauma Of Being Falsely Accused" (Press release). Ethel Bernstein. 2007-07-14. Retrieved 2007-07-31.
  14. ^ "Rossi renewal blocked". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1995-06-26. p. C4.
  15. ^ Karen Kane and Mark Belko (1995-08-30). "'Lucky' man is out of jail". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. B1.
  16. Associated Press (1995-05-20). "Rev's 4-month jail term for beating wife ripped sends bad message, Victims Center says". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 9.
  17. Cindi Lash (1995-05-19). "Domestic violence workers score 'obscene' Rossi term". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. A9.
  18. Rossi, Sherrie Lynn (1996). Assault of Justice: The Rev. Richard Rossi Mystery. Eternal Grace. ISBN 0965233006.
  19. "Pastor faces suit for revising bylaws of church". Long Beach Press-Telegram. 1999-11-20.
  20. Displaced pastor finds grass is greener on the outside
  22. ^
  24. Charisma magazine review
  25. SAG Foundation | Conversations | Roll Film
  27. Cite error: The named reference charismamag.com was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  28. Kurutz, Daveen Rae (August 8, 2008). "Minister jailed for beating wife in '94 plans return to Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
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