Ross was born in Winnetka, Illinois, on January 21, 1968. She began her acting career in theater, performing in various productions around Chicago. In 1987, she landed her first major role on the soap opera Days of Our Lives. She played the role of Eve Donovan for four years, earning two Daytime Emmy nominations for her performance.

After leaving Days of Our Lives, Ross went on to star in a number of television movies and guest-starred on several popular series. In 2001, she landed the role of Detective Connie McDowell on NYPD Blue. She played the role for three years, and her performance earned her critical acclaim.

In addition to her work on television, Ross has also appeared in a number of films. She starred in the films Mystic Pizza (1988), Father Hood (1990), and The Last Boy Scout (1991).

Ross is a passionate animal rights activist. She has worked with PETA on a number of campaigns, and she is a vegan. She is also a fitness enthusiast, and she has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Ross is married to Michael Goldman, and they have one son together.