Joel Siegel Dead at 63

James Joyner @ Gone Hollywood | Saturday, June 30, 2007

Joel Siegel, a movie critic for ABC’s “Good Morning America” since 1981, died Friday at 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.

I actually like Matthew McConaughey and tend to find movie critics annoying. Siegel was entertaining, though, and seemed like a good guy. And 63 is far too young to go.

Source: ABC movie critic Joel Siegel dead at 63 (AP/YahooNews)

Joel Siegel Dead at 63

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