Robert Osborne, film historian and host of TV’s Turner Classic Movies is no stranger to classic movie fans. With an assuring and informative manner, Osborne reels in film lovers who view each TCM classic film. His presence before and during breaks in the movie is often as enjoyable as the film itself. Osborne was gracious enough to participate in an interview concerning his early interest in films, his career, and his work with classic movies.

Robert Joline Osborne was born May 3, 1932 in Colfax, Washington. Living in an area with such a cold climate, it’s not surprising movie watching became one of Osborne’s favorite pastimes.  “I’ve always been interested in old movies,” he said. “I grew up in a small town, and movies were the great escape. The more I found out about movies, the more interesting I found them, and that was long before VHS’s.”

Osborne graduated from the University of Washington's School of Journalism. While doing a play in Seattle, he received an invitation to Hollywood. “There was a talent scout there who gave me his name and said if I came to California to look him up,” explained Osborne. “Lucy Arnaz was putting together a contract group -- she wanted to do for young actors what some had done for her when she was starting out. So I went to California.”

To find out more about Osborne’s life in Hollywood, his professional writing career, his years as host of TCM Classic Movies and his classic movies outreach, check out the rest of the interview here.