Colon Cancer Kills Film Critic Joel Siegel

Just Days Before His 64th Birthday; Loved For His Wit & Good Cheer

(CBS/AP)  Film critic Joel Siegel has died Friday in New York at the age of 63, WCBS-TV New York reports.

Siegel, best known as the resident movie critic on ABC's "Good Morning America" for 25 years, was surrounded by family and friends as he passed away after a long battle with colon cancer.

He continued working almost until the end of his life without losing his cheerful personality and trademark wit, a colleague writes on the network's Web site.

"Still at work only two weeks before his death," writes Bill Blakemore of ABC News, "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."

Siegel was born on July 7, 1943, in Los Angeles where he grew up and graduated cum laude from UCLA. He started his career as a radio newscaster and reviewed books for the Los Angeles Times. He also worked as a freelance writer for Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated and as a joke writer for Senator Robert Kennedy. Siegel worked as a copywriter for an advertising agency where he actually invented ice cream flavors for Baskin-Robbins.

He moved to New York in 1972 where he was a feature reporter for WCBS-TV. He also hosted "Joel Siegel's New York" on WCBS Radio.

Siegel began working as a film and theater critic on WABC-TV in 1976. He joined "Good Morning America" in 1981.

Funeral arrangements are currently being planned by his family.

[janharris56]

may his life continue to shine on those that loved him. best to his friends and family.

[samthetvcat]

There are only a handful of movie reviewers you could actually count on for sharing the same love of movies as the average person - Siskel and Ebert were a couple, Joel Siegel was another. Thanks for the great reviews Joel!

PS And thanks to CBS for staying away from reporting on the party bimbos (Paris, Britney, Lindsay, Nicole . . . I'm going to add Eve and Michelle Rodriguez to that list). Not sure whether that's intentional or not but if it is - BIG THANK YOU! You're efforts are greatly appreciated!!!!! :)

[johnax88]

Joel was a good reporter and I enjoyed his comments a lot. His life was a blessing to many and an gift to all of us from God.

[lorilytap]

The world has lost some sunlight because of his death. His warmth and love of life will be missed. My prayers to his family, especially his wife and son.

[navychief8]

Thanks for all the great film reviews Joel! I will miss all that you brought to your profesion. My prayers to your friends and family!

[linfinster]

My heartfelt sympathy's to his family and friends.

[likeitis5050]

Sad news. Really sad news. I can't imagine how hard it will be on his family and friends. Rest in peace.