Movie Critic Joel Siegel has died

[Janice]

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3324632&page=1&GMA=true



Joyful Critic Joel Siegel, Gone at 63

A Good Life Lived With Humor and Insight

Surrounded by family and friends, ABC's beaming and insightful movie critic Joel Siegel has died in New York, after a long and remarkably courageous struggle with cancer, at the age of 63.

Both colleagues and fans delighted in his unique way of blending cheerful good humor and piercing critical acumen in reviews that made them instantly clear to anyone. You knew exactly what he thought often with the bonus of a good laugh.

In a statement today, ABC News President David Westin said, "Joel was an important part of ABC News and we will miss him. He was a brilliant reviewer and a great reporter. But much more, he was our dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Joel Siegel's battle with colon cancer was borne with such astonishing courage and humor that he almost tricked his colleagues around the office into forgetting his struggle.

Still at work only two weeks before his death, he had this reporter and several others chortling in an elevator over a line he was about to broadcast about there being so many new penguin movies lately that soon they would outnumber the penguins themselves.

With his trademark style a bright but very business-like cheerfulness Joel Siegel delivered his swift judgments with a self-confidence and wit so finely phrased it made his reviews a pleasure to listen to just for the quick precision of his language.

He was the master of the unambiguous thumbnail review, whether
delivering flowers &

 "The Pursuit of Happyness" gets a C for spelling and an A for acting. It could also get an Oscar for Will Smith."

 "Letters from Iwo Jima" is the only contemporary film I've ever reviewed that I felt safe calling a masterpiece. It's not about the enemy, it's about humanity, and Clint Eastwood proves you don't have to understand the language to understand the heart."
& or bombs:

 "The appeal of Matthew McConaughey has long evaded me both as a pinup and as an actor. His constant ticks, bad hair and strained syntax as a coach fumble what should have been the tragic and inspirational story of the rebuilding of Marshall University's football team after a devastating plane crash."

"No one had more fun writing about a bad movie than Joel," said Dave Davis, president and general manager of WABC-TV, where Siegel signed on as movie and theater critic in 1976.

Millions learned over the decades that they could trust his judgment and his concise common sense descriptions of movies, as he held forth from the the critic's chair which, for the past quarter-century, he did on ABC's "Good Morning America," where he was a central member of its on-air family.

With his unparalleled skill in capturing the sense of a movie in just one or two sentences, he also accomplished something thought impossible:

He conquered the infamous "critics' spoiler problem," managing to give potential moviegoers just as much as they needed to know to decide whether to see it, without spoiling the movie by giving too much away.

And then, in a remarkable departure in the last few years of his life that added great depth to his life's work, he inspired his public with his clear-eyed realism and moral strength by publishing "Lessons for Dylan: From Father to Son."

Written after learning at the age of 57 and only two weeks after learning he would soon become a first-time father that he had only a 70 percent chance of seeing the child born, the book recorded for his son all he'd want him to know, just in case he wasn't around to tell him in person.

Siegel's Universal Book

It proved to be a book with universal appeal, reflecting the concerns of any loving parent who's ever pondered what they should write down, just in case &

Radiating what actress and producer Marlo Thomas called "the sheer magic of his indomitable spirit," Siegel's "Lessons for Dylan" tells of a vital life and literally makes "his life an open book," telling even of his first wife, Jane, who died of brain cancer after six years of marriage, and of his sometimes complicated marriage to Dylan's mother, Ena Swansea.

He tells of traveling, when he was a college student at UCLA, to Georgia to help out with voter registration and joining the marches of Martin Luther King whom he met: "I was a civil rights worker & I'm really proud of that. I knew martin Luther King."

He worked for the campaign of RFK, even wrote jokes for him, and was there at the assassination: "I was there that night, 20 feet from the entrance to the kitchen at L.A.'s old Ambassador Hotel. I heard the gunshots. I can still hear them."

He also talks of his careers in advertising and radio, even as a Broadway playwright during which he became the only drama critic ever to be nominated for a Tony before settling into the critic's role he so obviously reveled in.

Siegel delighted in sharing his own delight notably in getting to know all the characters of Hollywood and virtually every Oscar winner for more than a quarter century.

Born on July 7, 1943, in Los Angeles and raised there, he was literally at home as he shared moments with stars from Orson Welles to Halle Berry, all four Beatles to Morgan Freeman.

In 1991, along with actor Gene Wilder whose wife, comedienne Gilda Radner, had also died of cancer, Siegel founded Gilda's Club, a not-for-profit group that runs centers offering emotional and social support for cancer patients and their families and friends in a number of cities.

Deep Pride Plus History of Jews in Four Jokes

Siegel's honors include five New York Emmy Awards and the Public Service Award from B'nai B'rith's Anti-Defamation League for "distinguished news reporting and commitment to freedom of the press."

Knowing his time could be short, he also wrote in "Lessons for Dylan" of his deep pride in his Jewish heritage. With the warm humor his friends and colleagues counted on, and his audience always intuited, he then laid out "A History of the Jews in Four Jokes." (Chapter 15).

In explicating for his son the meaning of Joke Number One, Siegel ponders the possible differences between Jews, Christians and Muslims: "They communicate with God through an intermediary who might get it wrong. We get it wrong right from the source."

Eyes sparkling, smile bursting to get out and pull you in whether encountered in the hallway or on the TV news set, Joel Siegel's wisdom and humor reached across all the boundaries with a proven and heartfelt humanity that kept reminding us we can all enjoy the passing parade together.

[Pavan]

Terrible! Very sad indeed. I think I saw him yesterday on WABC news, but I wasn't paying attention. I know I saw him on there very recently though.

[TJL]

Wow! What a shame. He was one of the best film critis around. i remember watching him back when he was on Channel 7 here in New York.

He will be missed.

[Scoobiedoo30]

Rest in peace Joe

[Pavan]

He still was on WABC, TJL. Here is the press release:




June 29, 2007





ABC NEWS AND WABC-TV ANNOUNCE THE DEATH OF “GOOD MORNING AMERICA”

ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR JOEL SIEGEL





ABC News and WABC-TV are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved colleague and friend, Joel Siegel. Siegel, 63, died late this afternoon following a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was surrounded by family and friends, including his wife, Ena Swansea.



Mr. Siegel joined “Good Morning America” in 1981 and was a regular on the broadcast ever since. His weekly movie reviews on Fridays were eagerly anticipated by the “GMA” audience, the film industry and all of his colleagues. Siegel’s great sense of humor, warmth, and insight into the films he reviewed and the industry he covered made him one of the most influential and respected members of his profession.



“Joel was an important part of ABC News, and we will miss him,” said ABC News President David Westin. ”He was a brilliant reviewer and a great reporter. But much more, he was our dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joel’s family.”



“For 31 years, Joel Siegel has given Channel 7 viewers his honest opinion on entertainment,” said Dave Davis, President and General Manager of WABC-TV. “His reviews of movies and plays were written and delivered in Joel’s clever style -- revealing, refreshing and always filled with his smart humor. No one had more fun writing about a bad movie than Joel. His dedication to work while he has battled cancer with strength and dignity has been an inspiration to all of us. His contributions to Eyewitness News will never be forgotten.”



In addition to his film reviews, Mr. Siegel interviewed countless actors and entertainers, as well as fellow critics throughout his remarkable career. His annual Oscar broadcast, “Joel Siegel’s Road to the Academy Awards,” aired for ten years on WABC-TV and was syndicated to more than 100 markets around the country. Mr. Siegel always led GMA’s coverage of the Academy Awards, traveling to Los Angeles each and every year to bring viewers firsthand reports from Hollywood’s biggest night.



As a young man, Mr. Siegel took up the fight for civil rights registering voters in Georgia in 1964. And for the rest of his life he remained committed to others. He was outspoken about his battle with cancer, reporting on his illness and testifying to Congress on behalf of others afflicted with cancer. In 1991, Siegel and actor Gene Wilder founded Gilda's Club, a not-for-profit organization which operates facilities that offer emotional and social support for cancer patients and their families and friends. Ever since, Siegel continued to help raise funds for the organization, which now has branches around the country. He served as its president until his death.



Mr. Siegel was born in Los Angeles, California on July 7, 1943 and graduated cum laude from UCLA. He began his career working as a radio newscaster, a book reviewer for The Los Angeles Times, and a freelance writer for such publications as Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated. Mr. Siegel was also a joke writer for Sen. Robert Kennedy and worked as a copywriter and producer at an advertising agency, where his creative projects included, among other things, inventing ice cream flavors for Baskin-Robbins!







In 1972, Mr. Siegel arrived in New York and worked as a feature reporter for WCBS-TV. He also hosted “Joel Siegel’s New York” on WCBS Radio.



In 1976, he joined WABC-TV’s “Eyewitness News” as the station’s entertainment critic.



Throughout his career, Mr. Siegel was honored with five New York Emmy Awards; the Public Service Award for “distinguished news reporting and commitment to freedom of the press” from the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith; and the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award for “general excellence in individual reporting.”



Mr. Siegel was also an author. In 2003, he wrote “Lessons for Dylan: From Father to Son” -- a book for his son -- understanding that he might not beat his battle with cancer. Mr. Siegel also wrote the book for “The First,” a musical play produced on Broadway in the 1981-82 season that told the story of the legendary Jackie Robinson. He was honored for that work with a 1982 Tony Award nomination, making him the only drama critic ever to receive one.



Mr. Siegel is survived by his young son, Dylan, and wife, Ena Swansea, an artist.

[Pavan]

WABC's tribute, includes a video:
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...ent&id=5435562

[Ireneparalegal]

God this is awful. How many people will we lose to cancer? I didn't even know he was sick. May He R.I.P.

[Brian Damage]

To one of the very few film critics I still respected.

[TJL]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

WABC's tribute, includes a video:
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?se...ent&id=5435562

A wonderful tribute. ABC has lost a great one.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I was shoicked did they dsay how he passed away

[Janice]

Originally Posted by agmfox8@yahoo.com

I was shoicked did they dsay how he passed away

Yes, he died from cancer.

[snl 70s show fan]

i always liked him he had a way of not over praising movies that were good but not great and he could tell an audience that a movie was bad without being cold and nasty about it so long joel we will all miss you

[catlover79]

I liked Joel Siegel too, and am sorry that he lost this battle. My heart and prayers go out to his loved ones. Joel.

[Scoobiedoo30]

I was sad when he passed away

[bossradio93]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070630/ap_en_ce/obit_joel_siegel

ABC movie critic Joel Siegel dead at 63

Fri Jun 29, 9:58 PM ET

NEW YORK - Joel Siegel, a longtime movie critic for "Good Morning America" who was famous for his weekly, often humorous reviews, died Friday, ABC officials said. He was 63.

Siegel, who got his start at the network by working for New York affiliate WABC-TV, had battled colon cancer, the station said.

"Joel was an important part of ABC News and we will miss him," ABC News President David Westin said in a statement. "He was a brilliant reviewer and a great reporter. But much more, he was our dear friend and colleague. Our thoughts and prayers are with Joel's family."

Siegel was known for his sense of humor, movie acumen and sharp judgment. He never let an actor off the hook if the performance was lackluster.

"The appeal of Matthew McConaughey has long evaded me both as a pinup and as an actor," Siegel said in his review of 2006's "We Are Marshall." "His constant ticks, bad hair and strained syntax as a coach fumble what should have been the tragic and inspirational story of the rebuilding of Marshall University's football team after a devastating plane crash."

Dave Davis, president and general manager of WABC-TV, said Siegel loved to poke fun at uninspiring movies.

"No one had more fun writing about a bad movie than Joel," Davis said.

ABC anchor Charles Gibson said Siegel knew how to tell a story.

"He had an inexhaustible supply of stories — most funny, many poignant, all with a point or a punch line," Gibson said.

Born in Los Angeles on July 7, 1943, Siegel graduated cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles. After college, he started writing for The Los Angeles Times, where he reviewed books.

He landed in New York City in 1972 and worked as a reporter for WCBS-TV. He also hosted "Joel Siegel's New York" on WCBS Radio. Four years later he jumped to WABC, cementing his reputation as a film critic over the next three decades.

In 1981, he joined "Good Morning America" and became a regular as the network's entertainment editor, easily recognizable by his thick mustache and glasses.

In addition to five New York Emmy Awards, he received a public-service award from the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, and was honored by the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association for general excellence in individual reporting.

Survivors include his son, Dylan, and wife, Ena Swansea.

Yahoo! News/AP-June 29, 2007