Turner Classics Movie host Robert Osborne was born May 3, 1932 in Colfax, Washington. While most people know Osborne for his wonderful hosting duties on TCM (and before that on The Movie Channel), Osborne had a diverse career and started out as an actor before later focusing on writing and journalism.
One of his television roles was an appearance on the pilot for a TV series in 1962. There was a possibility of a regular role, but Osborne did not think that the series, The Beverly Hillbillies, would be much of a success. “The show itself seemed so loony and unimportant,” he later explained, adding, “I was sure the pilot would never sell.” Of course, the series then ran for nine seasons.
In the clip below, you may see a young Robert Osborne in that pilot episode of The Beverly Hillbillies. Check it out.
If that segment makes you want to see the entire episode, you may watch the entire pilot below. Check out “The Clampetts Strike Oil.”
Osborne explained that Lucille Ball had put him under contract at her studio. And it was she who eventually encouraged him to pursue a career in writing instead of acting. She was impressed by his vast knowledge about the history of Hollywood.
In 2015 and 2016, due to health issues, Osborne announced he would not attend the TCM Classic Film Festival. He also had to cut back on his work at TCM, and he passed way on March 6, 2017.
I do like Ben Mankiewicz, who filled in for Osborne in a number of roles, although I miss Osborne. Whenever I watch a movie on TCM, I would hope for Osborne or Mankiewicz to appear. Without them, I feel like I am not getting the whole value of the movie.
Osborne became a part of the life of anyone who watches classic movies. He became a mainstay of TCM since he introduced the first film the network aired, Gone With the Wind, on April 14, 1994.
For one, I’m glad that his career with The Beverly Hillbillies did not quite work out. He brought us a lot of joy, and he was a wonderful and intelligent companion for many nights watching great films.
This post was updated March 2017. Leave your two cents in the comments.
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