RIP Robert Osborne

Robert Osborne, Turner Classic Movies host, dies at 84

By Maria Puente

March 6, 2017

Robert Osborne, the film historian and former actor who became beloved as the affable host of Turner Classic Movies, has died, the network announced Monday. He was 84.

The cable network announced his death in a tweet, but did not disclose a cause. The network told The Associated Press he died Monday in New York.

Jennifer Dorian, TCM's general manager, said in a statement on Twitter that he was a "beloved member of the Turner family for 23 years."

"He joined us as an expert on classic film and grew to be our cherished colleague and esteemed ambassador for TCM," the tweet said.

Osborne was embraced by "devoted fans" as a trusted expert and a calming presence, with a gentlemanly style, encyclopedic knowledge of film history and highly personal interviewing style. He also was a fervent support for film preservation, her statement said.

"(It) all combined to make him a truly world-class host," she wrote. "Robert's contributions were fundamental in shaping TCM into what it is today."

Osborne hosted four prime-time movies every night, seven days per week for TCM. He also hosted special one-on-one interviews with numerous stars and filmmakers such as Lauren Bacall, Angela Lansbury, Shirley MacLaine, Anthony Quinn, Jack Lemmon and Robert Mitchum. He also co-hosted, currently with Alec Baldwin, Essentials, a series of films considered to be "essential viewing" for anyone seeking a well-rounded knowledge of the best films ever made.

Prior to working at TCM, he had been a host on The Movie Channel, and worked as a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. In 1988, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences commissioned him to write an official history of the Academy Awards, 60 Years of the Oscar.

Born: 5/3/1932, Colfax, Washington, U.S.A.

Died: 3/6/2017, New York City, New York, U.S.A.

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