Robert Osborne (born May 3, 1932), actor and film historian best known as host for Turner Classic Movies is coming back from a 5 month break, looking like he is feeling much better .. Osborne graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism. He began his career working as a contract actor for Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball's Desilu Studios. One of Osborne's early television appearances was in 1959 on an episode of Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse called "Chain of Command". He was also featured on the special Christmas Day Desilu Playhouse show "The Desilu Revue". He had small roles in TV shows: The Californians and in the pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies.
Ball suggested that Osborne combine his love of film and journalism. Osborne took her advice, while continuing acting in small parts.
Osborne was a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter from 1982 to 2009. Osborne wrote the book, 80 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards. Between 1986 and 1993, Osborne was the host for, The Movie Channel. In 1994, he moved to TCM, where he hosted prime time movies, "Private Screenings" and "The Essentials".
Osborne, has also participated in the Paley Center for Media in New York City celebrating the television careers of Lucille Ball and Cloris Leachman. He recently was moderator at Paley, celebrating the 100th birthday of Academy Award-winning songwriter Johnny Mercer.
Osborne also hosts the annual Robert Osborne's Classic Film Festival in Athens, Georgia. It began in 2005. The non-profit event is held by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. In 2010 he hosted the very first TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2011 Film Festival takes place April 28 to May 1 in Hollywood.
Dawn, thanks for all this great info about the fabulous Robert Osborne!!! I never knew most of that, and I certainly would never have recognized him in The Beverly Hillbillies episode.
ReplyDeleteI, too, have a love of film and journalism and would enjoy combining them into a profession...right now, I'm combining them at my blog.
While I enjoyed some of the guest hosts and while I really like Ben Mankiewicz, I have really missed Robert and look forward to having him as a regular host again.
By the way, is the "Six Days of Separation" an invitation-only game? Or can anyone get in on the fun?
Have a wonderful day,
Patti
Your welcome and that makes two of us. I would have never have recognized him in, The Beverly Hillbillies episode, if I had not first researched his acting career.
ReplyDeleteYour wonderfully written blog, really shows the love you have for journalism and classic films.
Everyone, is invited to play the fun game "Six Days of Separation". Just add the logo to your sidebar to let others know you are in the game. Please contact Page from "My Love of Old Hollywood", to have her make a logo in a color to match your blog and for more info on the game.
Have a wonderful day.