Robert Osborne, TCM Host and Film Historian, Dies at 84

[SoCalNative]

Source: Daily Variety

Film historian Robert Osborne, the effervescent primetime host of Turner Classic Movies since the cabler’s inception in 1994, has died. He was 84.

TCM’s general manager Jennifer Dorian released a statement saying, “All of us at Turner Classic Movies are deeply saddened by the death of Robert Osborne. Robert was a beloved member of the Turner family for more than 23 years. He joined us as an expert on classic film and grew to be our cherished colleague and esteemed ambassador for TCM. Robert was embraced by devoted fans who saw him as a trusted expert and friend. His calming presence, gentlemanly style, encyclopedic knowledge of film history, fervent support for film preservation and highly personal interviewing style all combined to make him a truly world-class host. Robert’s contributions were fundamental in shaping TCM into what it is today and we owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

Osborne was an irrepressible advocate for the films of Hollywood’s golden era who wrote the Motion Picture Academy-sanctioned “50 Years of the Oscar: The Official History of the Academy Awards” in 1978 and a number of updates ending in 2008 with “80 Years of the Oscar.”



Read more: http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/robert-osborne-dead-dies-tcm-host-1202002748/

[YOHABLO]

1. So very sad to hear. He was a treasure.

[Zoonart]

5. Yes he was.

R.I.P. Robert. We will miss you.

[sharp_stick]

2. That sucks

I really loved listening to him go over the film and all the background.

[lagomorph777]

3. Loved that guy.

He made old movies cool.

[yesphan]

4. Such a pleasant person.

[niyad]

6. requiescat in pace, robert, and thank you for many wonderful moments.

[kimbutgar]

7. I hadn't seen him for awhile and wondered if he was sick

RIP Robert. Loved your knowledge and introductions to movies.

[PSPS]

13. Me too. It seemed as though he had some breathing trouble in his latest appearances.

[Siwsan]

8. I always enjoyed his fascinating introductions to the films

And his talks with the guest presenters were so full of wonderful stories. He will be missed.

[LoisB]

19. So did I.

[Kahuna7]

9. I will miss him. No one can replace him. R.I.P. Mr. Osborne.

[get the red out]

10. Terrible

[monmouth4]

11. Lovely man. He had an apartment here in West Palm for a while, in the same building as

Connie Francis. Sad news and he will be missed.

[LisaM]

12. Oh no! I liked him so much.

Just last night I watched "Stage Door" on TCM On Demand - I miss his commentary, and wondered where he'd been.

[nonpareil]

14. I'm so sad.

These days TCM is one of the things that make life bearable. I have been missing him so much.

[BeyondGeography]

15. Superb in his role...a perfect piece of America

Irreplaceable.

RIP

[Submariner]

16. I think Osborne hated the colorized films of Ted Turner

those were ugly colorization's.

Great film reviewer. R.I.P.

[SoCalNative]

17. As we all did

especially since the sole reason for that whole "craze" was the simple fact that stations could charge more for advertizing for a color than B/W film.

It would have been one thing had they gone back to the original production and costume designs and recreated them as originally intended, but they were so very arbitrary. Like the powder blue tux on Fred Astaire and pink gown on Eleanor Powell in the "Begin the Beguine" number from "Broadway Melody of 1940" when cleary it was meant to be white clothing in conrast to the ebony set.

[Submariner]

20. I believe I saw that ugly Fred Astaire colorization

i recall the 'Last of the Mohicans' and the buckskin coats and the colors of the forest tree trunks and backgrounds were just gross and not watchable.

But I did not know it was done for extra bucks from advertising. I just thought Ted Turner had really bad taste in film production and could not enjoy Black & White. Thanks for the education.

[BumRushDaShow]

18. OH NO!!

What a loss.... I know he had been in and out and had a number of alternate hosts doing the show and I had heard that he had some health issues awhile ago.... But I guess this was coming. My mom was a big TCM watcher and "Robert" fan... and I watched and taped quite a bit from TCM too (and still do).

He was a great resource with an encyclopedic knowledge of the material and his demeanor made you really want to sit back and enjoy the films he presented.

R.I.P. and he will be sorely missed.

[msanthrope]

21. I am imagining him smoking with Bette Davis as she pours him a drink and

says "What a Dump!" about their mutual surroundings...

[Faygo Kid]

22. Look up "Class Act" in the dictionary

And you will find him.

[narnian60]

40. +1 million

Loved the man.

[TuxedoKat]

23. Darn

What a pity. He was a joy to watch and so knowledgeable about the movies and the stars.

[Galileo126]

24. Thanks Robert, and RIP

You did some awesome work over your lifetime, and we movie buffs will always appreciate your hard work!!

TCM will be your wondeful legacy.

[kskiska]

25. So sorry to hear that.

I loved watching him and hearing his personal recollections of Hollywood and his interviews.

[sinkingfeeling]

26. What a shame. RIP

[samnsara]

27. Im watching TCM NOW!...

[Upthevibe]

32. I am a more relective person because of Robert Osborne and TCM...

He turned me on to so many movies that have made me look at things in ways I wouldn't have otherwise: "I Remember Mama", "Goodbye Mr. Chips", "Born Yesterday", and the list goes on. What a legacy this man left.....

[dchill]

28. Oh, no.

[redwitch]

29. A lovely man, I have been missing him.

I knew he was seriously ill. RIP

[Laffy Kat]

30. NO!

Loved him. What a treasure lost.

[elmac]

31. my favorite movie host

back in the day when I had TCM which was 10 or more years ago. Made the movies more enjoyable. R.I.P.

[edbermac]

33. He was 84??

He looked damn good!

TCM my favorite channel. Watched T-Men great little film noir the other day.

RIP

[progressoid]

34. He was a fount of film knowledge.

Great interview here with Alec Baldwin: http://www.wnyc.org/story/200259-robert-osborne/

[50 Shades Of Blue]

35. A true loss. :(

[yallerdawg]

36. His wonderful anecdotes and descriptions are as immortal as the films!

May he introduce movies forever!

Thank you, Robert Osborne.

[FailureToCommunicate]

37. God speed sir...

[SummerSnow]

38. My condolences to his family.

[Skittles]

39. when I ditched cable, Robert was the only one I missed

a true film buff and a gentleman

[PlanetBev]

41. I did a brief stint at the Hollywood Reporter in 1983

Worked for a real insecure columnist jerk named George Christie. The only thing I looked forward to in the morning was Robert Osborne's kind smile and some of my co-workers.

TCM will never be the same....

[Loryn]

42. Rest well

[anniebelle]

43. RIP, Robert

Been watching this gentleman for years ~ he will be truly missed.

[jg10003]

44. TCM is the best thing on TV & Osborne was the perfect host

[dogknob]

48. Aye

I'll miss the guy. As an amateur film historian (read "major film buff&quot myself, I found his commentary inspiring.

I haven't seen anything here about heir-apparent Ben Mankiewicz, whose (very) dry humor and insightful commentary I enjoy very much.

TCM is pretty much the only thing that you'll see on my TV.

RIP Robert.

[Kimchijeon]

45. I'm sad to hear of his passing, he was really a treasure

and will be missed.

[Dem2theMax]

46. Reading this news just broke my heart.

I LOVED Robert Osborne. As someone else in the thread said, he was a total class act. I am a TCM addict,
the place I go for all the movies I love. Mr. Osborne gave us such insight into the films, and great, wonderful back-stories.
His knowledge of those movies seemed to know no bounds. He personally knew so many of the 'Hollywood' stars
from back in the day. I would have given anything to have been able to sit down and talk with him for at least
a week, as there would just be too much to talk about.

TCM will not be the same without him, but thank goodness we had him there for all those years.

Thank you, Robert Osborne, for bringing us the best of film, and giving us the best of yourself.
May you truly rest in peace with 'all the stars in the heavens.'

My sympathy to his family and friends.

[narnian60]

47. Well said.

[Blue_Tires]

49. r.i.p.