The Essentials

Robert Jolin Osborne Jr. was born in Colfax, Washington on May 3, 1932. He received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Washington. He became an actor, working for 20th Century Fox and for Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz's Desilu Productions. His screen credits included uncredited roles and a guest appearance on the 1960's sitcom The Beverly Hillbillies. Ball encouraged him to give up acting and write about Hollywood instead. His book, Academy Awards Illustrated, led to his becoming a critic and columnist at The Hollywood Reporter. His television appearances led to his being hired as a host on The Movie Channel before he moved to Turner Classic Movies in 1994. He died on March 6, 2017 at the age of 84.

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