Thaddeus Ross (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Thaddeus Ross
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
William Hurt (top) and Harrison Ford (bottom) as Thaddeus Ross in Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Captain America: Brave New World (2025) respectively.
First appearance	The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Based on	Thunderbolt Ross by Stan Lee Jack Kirby
Adapted by	Zak Penn
Portrayed by	William Hurt (2008–2021) Harrison Ford (2025)
Voiced by	Michael Patrick McGill (What If...?) Travis Willingham (Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man)
In-universe information
Full name	Thaddeus Ross
Alias	Red Hulk
Nicknames	Thunderbolt Hulk Hunter
Species	Human mutate
Title	Lieutenant General Secretary of State President of the United States
Children	Betty Ross (daughter)
Nationality	American

Thaddeus Ross is a fictional character originally portrayed by William Hurt and subsequently by Harrison Ford in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film franchise, based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. He is first depicted as a United States Armed Forces lieutenant general and the father of Betty Ross, with whom he has had a complex relationship.

Ross leads the manhunt for Bruce Banner and inadvertently helps create the Abomination. After retiring from the military, Ross becomes the Secretary of State, and presents the Avengers with the Sokovia Accords leading to their disbandment. After falling victim to the Blip and being revived, Ross is elected as the President of the United States which puts him at odds with Sam Wilson. Ross turns into a Red Hulk after ingesting gamma-radiated pills from Samuel Sterns, which leads to the destruction of the White House. He later stands down as president and is incarcerated in the Raft.

Hurt portrayed Ross in The Incredible Hulk (2008), The Consultant (2011), Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Black Widow (2021). After Hurt's death in 2022, Ford subsequently portrayed the character in Captain America: Brave New World (2025). Both Hurt and Ford have received generally positive reviews for their respective roles as Ross. Alternate versions of the character appear in various Disney+ animated series, voiced by both Michael Patrick McGill and Travis Willingham.