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As prime time host and anchor of the Turner Classic Movies cable television network, Robert Osborne brings viewers out of their living rooms and into the world of classic Hollywood, providing insider information, facts and trivia on TCM movie presentations.
Osborne is also a columnist-critic for The Hollywood Reporter, the daily show business trade paper. He is known as the official biographer of Oscar, thanks to a series of books he's written on the subject of Hollywood's annual Academy Awards. His latest book, the updated 75 Years of the Oscar, was written at the special request of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and has been called "the most comprehensive and definitive book ever done on the subject."
Osborne was born in Colfax, Washington (population: 2700) and graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism, appearing in local plays in his non-study hours. He soon went to Hollywood as an actor under contract to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. But Lucy encouraged him to pursue writing, which he considers among the best advice he's ever been given. She remained a friend and mentor to him until her death.
Osborne joined the staff of The Hollywood Reporter in 1977 and six years later began writing the paper's influential "Rambling Reporter" column, which covers all aspects of the movie and television business. He also attends the Cannes Film Festival to review films for the paper and is The Hollywood Reporter's chief Broadway critic, covering New York plays and first nights.
Osborne began as the on-air entertainment reporter for the nightly news on Los Angeles, KTTV in 1982. In 1987, he was signed by CBS to make daily appearances on the CBS Morning Program. From 1986-1993, he was also a regular host of The Movie Channel cable network.
From 1981-83, he served as president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA). He is a frequent guest on Entertainment Tonight, Good Morning America and other network shows; won a Golden Mike for excellence (for a TV special he wrote, produced and hosted titled Lana Turner Today); has twice been a CableAce nominee for his "Osborne Report" segments for The Movie Channel; and was nominated for an Emmy Award as Best Host Moderator. Osborne is also the winner of the 1984 Press Award from the Publicists Guild of America.
In addition to his hosting duties for TCM, Osborne has also done several specials for the network, including hour-long interviews, including the last on-camera interview done by Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, June Allyson, Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney, Charlton Heston, Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau and Tony Curtis.
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