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Gene Siskel

Known For
Acting

Known Credits
21

Gender
Male

Birthday
January 26, 1946 (80 years old)

Place of Birth
Chicago, Illinois, United States

Gene Siskel

Biography

Eugene Kal Siskel (January 26, 1946 – February 20, 1999) was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune who co-hosted a movie review television series alongside colleague Roger Ebert.

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. In 1978, the show, renamed Sneak Previews, was expanded to weekly episodes and aired on PBS affiliates across the United States. In 1982, Siskel and Ebert left Sneak Previews to create the syndicated show At the Movies. 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).

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. 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.

Description above from the Wikipedia article Gene Siskel, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

Acting

2026Mineshaft: The Cruising Murdersas Self (archive footage)
2020AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitisas Self
2020The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vaultas (archive footage)
2014Life Itselfas Self - Film Critic (archive footage)
2010Don't You Forget About Meas Self (archive footage)
2009Waking Sleeping Beautyas Self (archive footage)
2004Chicago Filmmakers on the Chicago Riveras Self
2002Mysteries of Loveas Self (archive footage)
1999Television: The First Fifty Yearsas Self
1994The Criticas Gene Siskel (voice)
1993Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebrationas Self (segment "Monster in the Mirror")
1993Late Show with David Lettermanas Self - Guest
1992The Larry Sanders Showas Gene Siskel
1991Siskel & Ebert 1991 Holiday Video Gift Guideas Gene Siskel
1988LIVE with Kelly and Markas
1987A Confessional Documentaryas Roger Ebert
1986At the Moviesas Self
1982At the Moviesas
1975Saturday Night Liveas Self (uncredited)
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self
Sneak Previewsas Himself

Production

1987A Confessional Documentary...Director
1987A Confessional Documentary...Writer