Ross Alan Jirgl was born in Wausau, Wisconsin, to Susan (Kolden), a business executive, and Alan Jirgl, an automotive parts salesman. He has an older brother Ryan Jirgl, an American Football coach. He is of Norwegian, Finnish and Czech ancestry. Prior to becoming an actor, Ross spent the majority of his early professional years working in college athletics after having played football competitively in the NCAA for Minnesota State. His longtime interest in the art of acting grew when he audited a class while working for Stanford University. After filming his television debut on Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist in San Francisco, CA, he decided to relocate to New York City to pursue more extensive formal training. He attended the conservatory at The William Esper Studio and then furthered his artistic development by studying with the long time acting coach Anthony Abeson.