And he was your friend too.
While sobbing in an empty room at work, reading the messages of grief pouring in on twitter, the one thread I noticed connecting us all was that this loss feels like a cherished friend or family member died.
I lost my great uncle last month. He was 89 years old. He helped raise my mother and her siblings. He was a giant to me as a little kid, and even with his body ravaged by sickness, his stature gone, he was still a looming presence. I said goodbye to him, thankfully I got to say goodbye, with a kiss on his forehead as he shuddered in the hospital bed. I cried bitterly when he died. And I have cried just as hard for Robert Osborne.
I never met Bob. But for ten years he came into my living room, that gleam in his eyes, introduced himself, and then discussed the movie that I was settled in to watch. I always learned something new. When my knowledge of the film was sufficient enough, I would recite the trivia with Bob. I don’t have a particular memory of his introductions that stands out. All I remember is smiling instantly the moment he appeared and greeting him too. No matter that he couldn’t hear me.
Robert Osborne. TCM host. Film historian. Movie lover. Friend.
We need more Robert Osbornes in the world, especially as it spins towards more alarming times. We need more enthusiasm, more love, more kindness. We need more people to be excited about movies, to share that love.
Robert Osborne inspired everyone who met him and even those who didn’t. He was so special to all of us TCM fans. Our beloved TCM host.
But this is why we have the movies, isn’t it? To see those wonderful people out there in the dark. Today, Bob joins them. And we’ll be seeing him again, real soon.
My condolences for your great-uncle.
I know that I’ve never watched Robert Osborne in anything, be it an interview or presenting on TCM or whatnot, yet his face is known to me and his connection with classic films is also known to me. I feel this just goes to show you just how influential he was!
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Thank you, Mark.
He was the face of TCM. Its heart and soul. No one would love the network as much as they do without him.
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“We need more Robert Osbornes in the world, especially as it spins towards more alarming times. We need more enthusiasm, more love, more kindness. We need more people to be excited about movies, to share that love.”
I have a feeling that your heartfelt tribute would have touched and pleased Mr. Osborne. I am sure that the sharing of grief and affection is most welcome by those closest to him.
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Thank you for such a beautiful comment. I hope he would’ve loved it. ❤
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Beautiful post, Simoa.
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I’m sorry about your great uncle, Simoa. 😦
This sounds weird/terrible, but I honestly haven’t even processed Mr. Osborne’s death yet because of really stressful school matters. For years, though, Robert Osborne has embodied everything I want to be as a champion of the classics. Lovely tribute.
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Thank you, Michaela ❤
No, that isn't weird or terrible at all. His death still doesn't feel real to me. Saying it out loud feels awfully surreal.
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What a wonderful tribute. I can relate to family passing. My grandmother passed away recently, and I cried just as hard when I heard of Robert Osborne’s passing. He was definitely a friend. I was always so excited when “The Essentials” would come on each Saturday nights. I so looked forward to the discussions Robert would have with the guests, who shared the same love of classic film as we do. I have been rewatching many clips of him over the past few days, but we can be grateful that he was a part of our lives and stimulated many peoples’ interests in classic film.
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