Robert Osborne

Robert Jolin Osborne (; May 3, 1932 – March 6, 2017) 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. Born in Colfax, Washington, Osborne graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism. In 1959, he signed a contract as an actor with Lucille Ball's production company Desilu. There, he appeared in a television episode of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse and the pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. Ball encouraged Osborne to pursue a career in writing. Afterwards, he published his first book Academy Awards Illustrated in 1965. In 1977, Osborne was hired as a news columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. In 1982, he began writing the "Rambling Reporter" column, whereby he reviewed films and Broadway plays. From 1984 to 1993, Osborne appeared as an on-air host for The Movie Channel. In 1994, Osborne served as the primetime host for Turner Classic Movies (TCM) until 2016. He also hosted the programming series: Private Screenings and The Essentials. In 2010, Osborne hosted the TCM Classic Film Festival and Classic Cruise until 2014. Osborne died on March 6, 2017, at the age of 84.