1. Robert Jolin Osborne was an American film historian, author, actor and the primary television host for the premium cable channel Turner Classic Movies for over twenty years.
41 Facts About Robert Osborne
1. 2.
Robert Osborne had worked as a news columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.
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Robert Osborne wrote the official history of the Academy Awards, with the first edition published in 1988.
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Robert Osborne was born on May 3,1932, in Colfax, Washington.
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Robert Osborne's parents were Robert Eugene Osborne, a public school teacher, and Hazel Ida.
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In 1941, Robert 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.
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In 1954, Robert Osborne graduated the University of Washington School of Journalism.
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Robert Osborne convinced him to pursue an acting career, and later stayed at her residence in the San Fernando Valley.
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Robert Osborne signed a six-month contract at 20th Century-Fox Television, appearing in The Californians.
10.
Robert Osborne next met Lucille Ball after overhearing that she was talent-searching actors for her studio, Desilu Productions.
11.
Robert Osborne invited Osborne to her house for dinner where actresses Janet Gaynor and Kay Thompson attended.
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Robert Osborne was featured in the Desilu Playhouse installment "The Desilu Revue" in 1959.
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Robert Osborne appeared in the pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies.
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In 1965, Robert Osborne published his first book, Academy Awards Illustrated with a foreword by Bette Davis.
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In 1977, Robert Osborne began working as a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.
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Robert Osborne has a right to choreograph his own life.
17.
Robert Osborne served as president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association from 1981 to 1983.
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In 1985, Robert Osborne began a relationship with Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, when he hosted a tribute to Shirley Temple at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills.
19.
Robert Osborne wrote five updates to the volume, the latest being 85 Years of the Oscar published in 2013.
20.
Robert Osborne worked as the entertainment reporter on KTTV in Los Angeles from 1982 until 1987.
21.
From 1984 to 1993, Robert Osborne appeared on The Movie Channel, in which hosted the Heart of Hollywood behind-the-scenes and interview interstitials.
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Meanwhile, in 1987, Tichi Wilkerson Kassel, then-editor of The Hollywood Reporter, permitted Robert Osborne to appear on CBS' The Morning Program to review films for one year.
23.
When his contract with the Movie Channel was to expire, Robert Osborne lunched with actress Dorothy Lamour and then-American Movie Classics television executives Brad Siegel and Jim Wise where they offered him the daytime afternoon hosting position, but his hiring was blocked by a management turf war.
24.
Robert Osborne was Siegel's first choice to serve as the host of its nightly primetime broadcasts.
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Turner launched the channel on April 14,1994 with Robert Osborne presenting a three-minute introduction, explaining the channel's mission statement.
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Robert Osborne hosted the series Private Screenings, featuring interviews with actors and directors.
27.
In 2006, Robert Osborne began co-hosting The Essentials with Molly Haskell, Carrie Fisher, Rose McGowan, Alec Baldwin, Drew Barrymore and Sally Field.
28.
In 2010, Robert Osborne began hosting the TCM Classic Film Festival, with his last appearance occurring in 2014.
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Robert Osborne has appeared on Saturday nights, hosting The Essentials with Alec Baldwin.
30.
In 2013, Robert Osborne presented the Honorary Academy Award to Dame Angela Lansbury at the Fifth Governors Awards.
31.
Robert Osborne introduced Lansbury by saying he thought it was "one of the best decisions the Academy has ever made".
32.
The attraction underwent a refurbishment in 2015, with the addition of a new pre-show and post-show hosted by Robert Osborne, who provided onboard narration for the ride.
33.
Robert Osborne retired in early 2016 due to ill health and missed a number of TCM annual events over the next year.
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Robert Osborne died from natural causes at his New York City apartment in The Osborne on West 57th Street on March 6,2017, at the age of 84.
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Robert Osborne was in a 20-year relationship with David Staller, a New York City theater producer and director.
36.
In 2012, Robert Osborne selected The Big Clock, Dodsworth, Hobson's Choice, Indiscreet, The Mating Season, The Tall Target, My Name Is Julia Ross, Remember the Night, Roughly Speaking, and Vacation from Marriage as his "secret favorite movies".
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Robert Osborne won the 1984 Publicists Guild of America Press Award.
38.
Robert Osborne received an honorary doctorate from the Academy of Art University in 2005, and was awarded a star at Vine Street on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
39.
In January 2016, Robert Osborne was given the inaugural William Cameron Menzies Award from the Art Directors Guild, recognizing his 35 years as a film historian, columnist, and critic championing visual entertainment.
40.
Robert Osborne made several cameo appearances as himself including on the Adult Swim animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law where he introduced the 2005 episode "Turner Classic Birdman".
41.
Robert Osborne was spoofed on Saturday Night Live with Darrell Hammond portraying him in 2006.