Rosson's first directorial effort was the 1926 American black and white silent comedy film Fine Manners, initially directed by Lewis Milestone[1] for Famous Players–Lasky/Paramount Pictures.

After an argument with actress Gloria Swanson, Milestone walked off the set, leaving the film to be completed by Rosson,[2] who had picked up directorial tricks while working as an assistant director to Allan Dwan.

Richard Rosson died from suicide from carbon monoxide poisoning at his home in Pacific Palisades, California at the age of 60.

A year later, Rosson's wife, Vera Sisson, committed suicide by barbiturate overdose.

[5] On May 1, 1939, Rosson was arrested on a charge of espionage in Vienna, Austria, with his wife and two other British nationals, by the Gestapo, allegedly for filming military hardware.