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Robert Joline Osborne (born May 3, 1932 in Colfax, Washington) is an American actor and film historian best known as the host of the Turner Classic Movies network since its inception in 1994. As of 2006, he also co-hosts TCM's The Essentials, with Molly Haskell from 2006 to 2007, and with Carrie Fisher from 2007 to the present. He formerly hosted films on cable TV's The Movie Channel.
Osborne graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism, and began his career working as a contract actor for Desi Arnaz' and Lucille Ball's Desilu Studios. As an actor, he appeared in small parts in such shows as The Californians and in the pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. Ball suggested to Osborne that he should combine his love of film with his abilities as a journalist. Osborne, perpetually intimidated by Ball, took this advice, though he has continued to appear in a number of small parts in television and film, including an appearance parodying his TCM hosting job on Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law.
Osborne has been writing a column for The Hollywood Reporter since 1982. In 2003, Abbeville Press published Osborne's 75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards.
According to a mention on TCM, Osborne visited legendary Hollywood actress Bette Davis in 1989 while on her death bed, shortly before her death at age 81 from breast cancer.
Further reading
- Osborne, Robert (2003). 75 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. New York: Abbeville Press. ISBN 0-789207-87-7.
External links
- Robert Osborne at IMDb
- Turner Classic Movies biography
- Box Office Mojo Interview
- About.com Interview
- New York Times Interview concerning his apartments at the Osborne in NYC
- Washington Post Profile
- Robert Osborne's Hollywood Reporter column
- Robert Osborne's Annual Classic Film Festival in Athens, Georgia