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.
Robert Osborne has been the host on Turner Classic Movies since its inception, in large part due to his deep and abiding love and knowledge of film. Osborne got his start working for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The ever-perspicacious Ball suggested that Osborne combine his interest in classic film and training in journalism, and write instead of act. Osborne took this advice and produced "Academy Awards Illustrated" a book which then begat his years at The Hollywood Reporter. He also became the official historian of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. An elegant and unassuming man, Osborne combines a startling facility with movie names, dates, and facts with the gift to tell a good story and ability to be a gracious host.
