Movie Critic Siegel of Good Morning America' is Dead at 63

Jun 30, 11:25 AM

Current Headlines: 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.

Siegel was known for his sense of humor, movie acumen and sharp judgment, as well as his thick mustache and glasses. 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."

In 1981, Siegel joined "Good Morning America" and became a regular as the network's entertainment editor.

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

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PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Danny DeVito will receive a special award for his outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.

The festival in the spa of Karlovy Vary opened Friday with 14 mostly European movies competing for the Crystal Globe top prize.

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Looks like the Miss America Pageant -- which ditched Atlantic City for Vegas two years ago -- is severing the last tie with the resort that created it in the first place.

Miss America spokeswoman Sharon Pearce confirms that come Aug. 1, the Miss America Organization will be moving out of its posh headquarters at the now ironically themed Miss America Sheraton in Atlantic City and heading for offices in Linwood, a tidy little bedroom town a few miles inland.

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