Born in New York City and a graduate of Columbia University, Gross got her start in the film industry working under famed producer Dino De Laurentiis on such films as Charles Bronson’s famous revenge film “Death Wish” and Sydney Pollack’s “Three Days of the Condor.” Gross went on to become vice president of production for Pollack’s production banner Mirage Enterprises, helping to develop the 1982 Best Picture nominee “Tootsie” starring Dustin Hoffman and 1985 Best Picture winner “Out of Africa.”