Gene Siskel | |
|---|---|
 Siskel at the 61st Academy Awards in 1989 | |
| Born | Eugene Kal Siskel January 26, 1946 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | February 20, 1999 (aged 53) Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Resting place | Westlawn Cemetery |
| Education | Yale University (BA) |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1969–1999 |
| Notable credit(s) | Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (1975–1977) Sneak Previews (1977–1982) At the Movies (1982–1986) Siskel & Ebert (1986–1999) CBS This Morning (1990–1996) Good Morning America (1996–1999) |
| Spouse |
Marlene Iglitzen (m. 1980) |
| Children | 3 |
| Relatives | Ed Siskel (nephew) |
Eugene Kal Siskel (January 26, 1946 – February 20, 1999) was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune who co-hosted movie review television series alongside colleague Roger Ebert.[1]
Siskel started writing for the Chicago Tribune in 1969, becoming its film critic soon after. In 1975, he was paired with Roger Ebert to co-host a monthly show called Opening Soon at a Theater Near You airing locally on PBS member station WTTW.[2] In 1978, the show, renamed Sneak Previews, was expanded to weekly episodes and aired on PBS affiliates across the United States.[2] In 1982, Siskel and Ebert left Sneak Previews to create the syndicated show At the Movies.[2] Following a contract dispute with Tribune Entertainment in 1986, Siskel and Ebert signed with Buena Vista Television, creating Siskel & Ebert & the Movies (renamed Siskel & Ebert in 1987, and renamed again several times after Siskel's death).[2]
Known for their biting wit, intense professional rivalry, heated arguments, and trademark "Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down" movie ratings system, Siskel and Ebert became celebrated in American pop culture.[3][4] Siskel was diagnosed with brain cancer in May 1998 but remained in the public eye as Ebert's professional partner until his death the following year.[1]
- ^ a b Johnson, Steve (February 22, 1999). "'..?..& Ebert': The show must go on". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Steinberg, Joel. "Siskel and Ebert". Museum of Broadcast Communications. Archived from the original on December 4, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ Gliatto, Tom (November 1, 1999). "Despite the Loss of Film-Critic Buddy Gene Siskel, Roger Ebert Gives Life a Thumbs Up". People. Archived from the original on February 5, 2009. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
- ^ Bloom, Julie (July 22, 2008). "Ebert and Roeper No Longer At the Movies". The New York Times. Retrieved July 8, 2022.