Chinese Mandarin - NY movie critic Joel Siegel died at 63

ENTERTAINMENT / Movies






NY movie critic Joel Siegel died at 63

(AP)
Updated: 2007-06-30 13:06









This undated yet recent photo of ABC News film critic Joel Siegel was
released by ABC News in New York.��AP��



NEW YORK - Joel Siegel, a longtime movie critic for WABC-TV and "Good
Morning America" who racked up five New York Emmy Awards for his
insightful work, died Friday, the television station said. He was 63.

The station said Siegel, who was famous for his weekly reviews, had been
battling colon cancer.

"Joel was an important part of ABC News and we will miss him," ABC News
President David Westin said in a release. "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 opined in his review of "We Are Marshall," a 2006
film. "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
UCLA. 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-TV, 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 Emmy Awards, he also received a public-service award 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.

He survived by his son, Dylan, and wife, Ena Swansea��











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