Robert Jolin Osborne was an American film historian, television presenter, author, actor and the primary host for more than 20 years of the cable channel Turner Classic Movies.
31 Facts About Robert Osborne
2.
Robert Osborne wrote the official history of the Academy Awards, originally published in 1988.
3.
Robert Osborne was born on May 3,1932, in Colfax, Washington, where he was reared.
4.
Robert Osborne's parents were Robert Eugene Osborne, a public school teacher, and Hazel Ida.
5.
Robert Osborne graduated from the University of Washington School of Journalism in 1954.
6.
Robert Osborne began his career working as a contract actor for Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball's Desilu Studios.
7.
Robert Osborne was featured in the Christmas Day Desilu Playhouse installment "The Desilu Revue" in December 1959.
8.
Robert Osborne had small roles in such TV shows as The Californians and the 1962 pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies, "The Clampetts Strike Oil".
9.
Robert Osborne refrained from signing on for the series thinking the show would not be a success, and instead concentrated on acting in television commercials.
10.
Ball suggested that Robert Osborne focus his energies on becoming a journalist; Robert Osborne would often quip, "especially after she saw me act".
11.
In 1965, Robert Osborne had his first book published, Academy Awards Illustrated.
12.
In 1977, Robert Osborne began a long-standing stint as a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter.
13.
In 1982, Robert Osborne began a five-year stint as the entertainment reporter on KTTV Channel 11 in Los Angeles.
14.
In 1984, Robert Osborne began hosting for The Movie Channel, as well as winning the Publicists Guild of America 1984 Press Award.
15.
Robert Osborne was selected as the host of their nightly broadcasts.
16.
Robert Osborne's co-hosts were Molly Haskell from 2006 to 2007, Carrie Fisher from 2007 to 2008, Rose McGowan from 2008 to 2009, Alec Baldwin from 2009 to 2011, Drew Barrymore and finally Sally Field.
17.
Robert Osborne participated in events at the Paley Center for Media in New York City saluting the television careers of Lucille Ball and Cloris Leachman.
18.
In 2010, Robert Osborne hosted the first TCM Classic Film Festival, and participated in subsequent annual festivals.
19.
In 2012, Robert Osborne began to share some of his hosting duties with Ben Mankiewicz.
20.
In 2013, Robert Osborne presented the Honorary Academy Award to Dame Angela Lansbury at the Fifth Governors Awards.
21.
Robert Osborne introduced Lansbury by saying he thought it was "one of the best decisions the Academy has ever made".
22.
The attraction underwent a refurbishment in 2015, with the addition of a new preshow and postshow hosted by Robert Osborne, who provides onboard narration to the ride.
23.
Robert Osborne retired in early 2016 due to ill health and missed a number of TCM annual events over the next year.
24.
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.
25.
Robert Osborne mentioned modern films he loved such as Martin Scorsese's The Age of Innocence, and The Departed, as well as Christopher Guest's Best in Show.
26.
Robert Osborne won the Publicists Guild of America 1984 Press Award.
27.
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.
28.
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.
29.
The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences honored Robert Osborne by including him in their In Memoriam montage during the Oscars telecast.
30.
Robert Osborne made several cameo appearances as himself including on the Cartoon Network animated series Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law where he introduced the 2005 episode "Turner Classic Birdman".
31.
Robert Osborne was spoofed on Saturday Night Live with Darrell Hammond portraying him in 2006 and Jason Sudeikis playing him in recurring sketches from 2010 to 2012.