Film historian and TCM host Robert Osborne, 1932-2017
It grieves me to report the death of longtime Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne.
It'll take a while to pay proper tribute here, but I will begin with Variety.
[url]http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/robert-osborne-dead-dies-tcm-host-1202002748/[/url]
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.”
Osborne lived in New York but shot his TCM appearances at the cable network’s headquarters in Atlanta. As TCM’s primary on-air personality, Osborne occupied something of an unique position in the history of television: Where once it was common for channels to provide hosts for the movies they programmed, TCM is now the last U.S. movie network to regularly feature hosts who offer information about a film before it begins.
Word came of his death this afternoon, but DU was down when I attempted to check in.
More on Robert Osborne's life and work:
[url]http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-me-robert-osborne-dies-20170306-story.html[/url]
Robert Osborne, who displayed an encyclopedic knowledge — and love — of film history as the primary host of Turner Classic Movies, died Monday morning at age 84, said his partner of 20 years, theater director and producer David Staller.
(SNIP)
The genial, silver-haired and dapper Osborne was a bona fide movie connoisseur who displayed his wide knowledge of films on TCM since the 24-hour commercial-free cable network’s launch in 1994.
“Hi, I’m Robert Osborne,” he’d cordially greet viewers from a stylish living-room set and quickly begin serving up fascinating information and insider trivia about the movie that was about to be shown. At the end of each film, the man Washington Post TV critic Tom Shales dubbed “an avatar of erudition” offered his closing remarks.
Osborne was a longtime columnist for the Hollywood Reporter and the “official biographer” of the Academy Awards, writing a series of books chronicling the Oscars. In a 2013 Los Angeles Times interview with Susan King, Osborne said he thought the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences selected him to write the official Oscar history because in previous books he stuck to facts, not opinions.
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I saw this news and just broke down in tears. TCM is where I go, not only to see the most wonderful films,
but to escape what is happening in this country. I know that I'm going to be entertained, surprised, laugh, cry,
and try to figure out who-done-it, before the film answers that question. Mr. Osborne added so much to every movie
he highlighted. I looked forward to hearing what he had to say, about the film, the story, the director, actors, you name it, somehow, he knew it.
With a very heavy heart, I say rest in peace, Mr. Osborne. Thank you for everything.
...and welcome to the Classic Films Group! 
We all have our own specialties and obsessions, and I hope you will share your own.
