• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, March 7, 2017

Robert Osborne was unique in the present-day annals of television. He may have been the only TV personality of his era who all by himself came to represent an entire TV network.

His association with TCM, which he joined in its formative stages in 1993 prior to its launch in 1994, was so ingrained that he became the very face of the network -- a living, breathing human logo.

Osborne found success as a TV personality late in life in an industry in which opportunities for older air talent are not exactly numerous.

When he started on TCM, he was 61. When he died Monday, he was 84 and still employed by TCM, although he had not been seen on the air in more than a year.

He had been a journalist covering Hollywood, most notably as a columnist for The Hollywood Reporter. His connections in Hollywood --  particularly with an older generation of actors, actresses and directors -- made him well-positioned to become a host on TCM, which would specialize in movies from Hollywood's Golden Age.

His run at TCM lasted more than 20 years. It was often said of Osborne that he had what might have been the best job in television. It wouldn't be surprising to learn that Osborne thought so too. 

In many ways, TCM was also unique -- a showcase for classic movies on basic cable that has so far resisted the temptation to disrupt its content with commercials. 

The network presents its films with respect and reverence. With his white hair, his suits and one of the most soothing voices in broadcasting, Osborne came to embody the network's philosophy. He loved movies and older stars -- worshipped them, in fact -- and his enthusiasm was infectious.

His knowledge was prodigious too. No viewing of a movie on TCM was ever complete unless you caught Osborne's introduction at the beginning and then his summation after the movie ended.

He conducted countless interviews on TCM with Hollywood's surviving Golden Age stars, helped TCM organize its movie festivals and theme weeks, wrote for TCM's magazine and hosted TCM cruises.

Was there anything he didn't do at TCM? If TCM were a movie theater, Robert Osborne would probably have torn the tickets, ran the projector, showed people to their seats and popped the popcorn.

In a medium in which decorum and good manners are no longer prized (if they ever were), Osborne practiced them both. They were among the keys to his success as a TV personality. And from the very beginning of TCM, they helped the network build a reputation for high standards and high class -- two things that are also unique in television.

Osborne was evidently a private man who became ill and then quietly stepped away from his hosting duties without ever revealing the details of his condition. Although he had not been seen on TCM in a long time, it was possible to hold on to a slim hope that someday he would return.

That didn't happen. And suddenly, watching old movies on TV will never be the same.