By John Benson Special to The Gazette

During the past decade, comedian Jeff Ross has mastered the art of the celebrity roast.

This longstanding tradition, made popular by Dean Martin and his Rat Pack crackups on the popular ’70s television specials, has made a comeback in recent years.

Leading the charge is Ross, who has been called “The Roastmaster General” for his memorable appearances at roasts for Drew Carey, William Shatner, Hugh Hefner, Donald Trump and Pamela Anderson.

“It was sort of a lost art for a long time,” said Ross, calling from Los Angeles. “When I would tell people I was doing a roast, they’d look at me like I was learning Latin or buying a butter churn. But over time, it became a hit again and then became really popular, so I’m really lucky to be a part of this wave of bringing the roast back.”

Ross said the roast is based on the single principal of backhanded compliments.

However, a modern celebrity roast comes across as an anomaly in our politically correct, new millennium world. Simply put, the material isn’t for kids, grandparents or the easily offended.

“When you do a roast, it’s almost like a love letter to the first amendment,” Ross said. “You can really push the boundaries of what people are used to hearing. Like for instance, in the wake of (Don) Imus and Michael Richards, it’s fun to see professionals handling hot topics.

“The roast gives comics an outlet to show off their linguistic skills and their ability to take it right to the edge. I feel like it’s the one place fans can turn to see comics keep it real.”

Unsure at first how to handle being tagged as the roast comedian, Ross said fellow funnyman Dave Chappelle set him straight by saying every comic needs a lane they can ride through life.

Now Ross is embracing his roast label, as well as furthering his stand-up comedy career.

In preparation for an upcoming Comedy Central special taping taking place this June in his native New Jersey, the 42-year-old is hitting the road. Even though he’s been a touring comedian for almost two decades, Ross makes his Cleveland debut April 17 through 20 at Hilarities 4th Street Theatre.

What he may lack in Northeast Ohio memories he makes up for with solid material about Cleveland’s favorite son Drew Carey. “Drew changed my life in a lot of ways,” Ross said. “He was the first guy I ever roasted on television, which was really funny. I said, ‘Drew Carey looks like Buddy Holly and Barney Rubble had a baby, and they peed on it.’”

He added, “He did take me to Iraq for the first time. All of the soldiers love Drew Carey because they love blondes with big boobs.”

Ross, who said the USO comedy tour of Iraq changed his life, captured the experience on video for what ended up being his directorial debut, “Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie.” Last year the documentary aired on Showtime and was recently released on DVD.

Said Ross, “It’s quite an experience and guaranteed to be the funniest movie ever to come out of Iraq.”

Being funny never seems to be a problem for Ross, who in addition to the “The Roastmaster General” tag has also received the label of being, surprise, an insult comedian.

“I love that,” Ross said. “You have to be known as something, and it’s better than being known as the unfunny comedian or the prop comedian or a ventriloquist.”

Benson may be reached at ididhear@aol.com.

Preview Who: Jeff Ross When: April 17 through 20 (times vary) Where: Hilarities 4th Street Theatre, Cleveland Tickets: $15 to $25 Info: Call 216-736-4242 or visit www.pickwickandfrolic.com