Robert osborne biography death

Film historian Robert Osborne, the effervescent primetime host of Turner Classic Movies since the cabler’s inception in , has died. He was

TCM&#;s general manager Jennifer Dorian released a statement saying, &#;All of us at Turner Classic Movies are deeply saddened by the death of Robert Osborne. Robert was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than 23 years. He joined us as an expert on classic film and grew to be our cherished colleague and esteemed ambassador for TCM. Robert was embraced by devoted fans who saw him as a trusted expert and friend. His calming presence, gentlemanly style, encyclopedic knowledge of film history, fervent support for film preservation and highly personal interviewing style all combined to make him a truly world-class host. Robert&#;s contributions were fundamental in shaping TCM into what it is today and we owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

Osborne was an irrepressible advocate for the films of Hollywood’s golden era who wrote the Motion Picture Academy-sanctioned “50 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards” in and a number of updates ending in with “80 Years of the Oscar.”

Osborne lived in New York but shot his TCM appearances at the cable network’s headquarters in Atlanta. As TCM’s primary on-air personality, Osborne occupied something of an unique position in the history of television: Where once it was common for channels to provide hosts for the movies they programmed, TCM is now the last U.S. movie network to regularly feature hosts who offer information about a film before it begins.

Before the launch of TCM, Osborne hosted films on the Movie Channel from

Osborne started in showbiz as an actor under contr

American film historian and actor (–)

For other people named Robert Osborne, see Robert Osborne (disambiguation).

Robert Jolin Osborne (; May 3, – March 6, ) was an American film historian, author, actor and the primary television host for the premium cable channel Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for over twenty years. Prior to hosting at TCM, Osborne had been a host on The Movie Channel. He had also worked as a news columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. Osborne wrote the official history of the Academy Awards, with the first edition published in

Early life

Osborne was born on May 3, , in Colfax, Washington. His parents were Robert Eugene Osborne, a public school teacher, and Hazel Ida (née Jolin). In , Osborne's fascination with Hollywood began when his mother purchased for him the August edition of Modern Screen magazine featuring Lana Turner; inside, there was an advertisement for Kiss the Boys Goodbye, in which Mary Martin's lips were colored red in a black-and-white spread.

At twelve years old, he landed a summer job at the Rose Theatre, where he changed the posters in the glass cases and changed the film titles on the marquee using a step ladder. After a year, he became a theatre usher and when was 15, he was reassigned as a ticket taker. In , his family relocated to Everett, Washington. There, he attended Everett High School. He graduated in , and gave a commencement speech titled "Youth Views the Schools."

Osborne graduated from the University of Washington School of Journalism in He then served two years in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Seattle, where he acted in local theater. There, he appeared in a stage production of Night Must Fall with actress Jane Darwell. She encouraged Osborne to pursue an acting career.

Career

– Actor

Osborne began his show business career working as a contract actor for Desi Arnaz and

Robert Osborne, the former columnist for The Hollywood Reporter who as the genial and scholarly host of Turner Classic Movies became a beloved icon to a legion of groupies with gray hair, died Monday in New York, the cable network announced. He was

David Staller, his longtime partner, told The Hollywood Reporter that Osborne died in his sleep in his apartment from natural causes.

&#;Robert was embraced by devoted fans who saw him as a trusted expert and friend,&#; TCM general manager Jennifer Dorian said in a statement. &#;His calming presence, gentlemanly style, encyclopedic knowledge of film history, fervent support of film preservation and highly personal interviewing style all combined to make him a truly world-class host.

&#;Robert&#;s contributions were fundamental in shaping TCM into what it is today, and we owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid.&#;

Osborne began his career as an actor, was mentored by the legendary comedienne Lucille Ball and became the official biographer of Oscar thanks to a series of books he wrote about the Academy Awards. Osborne missed the TCM Classic Film Festival, announcing at the last minute that doctors advised him to have an undisclosed medical procedure that he had planned to put off.

Attendees were extremely disappointed not to have him there. And then, less than three weeks before the start of the event, Osborne pulled out again, saying &#;a health issue has come up which requires attention.&#;

A few months after he accepted a surprising invitation from Olivia de Havilland to escort her to a televised celebration of Bette Davis&#; career, the journalist joined THR in September to write reviews.

He penned the paper&#;s must-read Rambling Reporter column from April until he left the publication in June When Ted Turner&#;s TCM debuted as a competitor to the American Movie Classics cable channel on April 14, , Osborne was on the air

Robert Jolin Osborne Jr. (May 3, &#; March 6, ) was an American movie, stage, voice, television actor and movie historian who was known for hosting the Turner Classic Movies channel from the s until his retirement in early

Osborne was born on May 3, in Colfax, Washington. He was raised in Whitman County, Washington. He studied at the University of Washington. Osborne was gay. His life partner was David Staller from until his death in

Osborne died in New York City, New York on March 6, from complications of kidney failure, aged

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