Gene Siskel was an American film critic and journalist who became a household celebrity due to his many years appearing alongside film critic Roger Ebert on the popular television show “Siskel & Ebert at the Movies.” He is remembered fondly today as one of the most influential film critics of all time. This article provides an overview of Siskel’s life and career, and celebrates the unforgettable contributions he made to the film industry.
Early Life & Education
Gene Siskel was born in the Chicago area in June 1946. He was the son of Ida and Nathan Siskel, both of whom were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. He attended and graduated from both the Todd School for Boys and Yale University. While at Yale, he worked for the Yale Daily News and was also known for his very outspoken political views.
Early Career
After graduating from Yale, Siskel began writing for the Chicago Tribune in 1969. It was here that he quickly gained acclaim for his sharp and incisive reviews. In 1975, he met Roger Ebert who was the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. The two began to collaborate on a variety of projects, including co-hosting a television show called “Opening Soon at a Theater Near You.”
“Siskel & Ebert at the Movies”
It was in 1982 that Siskel and Ebert launched their most widely recognized venture: the television show “Siskel & Ebert at the Movies.” The show, which aired on PBS, featured the two film critics reviewing a selection of films each week. Their reviews were often accompanied by the iconic thumbs up or thumbs down rating system.
The show quickly became a great success, highlighted by an Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Informational Programming in 1994. After Siskel passed away in 1999, the show renamed to “Ebert & Roeper at the Movies” and Ebert continued to host it until his death in 2013.
Influence on the Film Industry
During his time on “Siskel & Ebert at the Movies,” Siskel helped to raise the profile of independent filmmakers. He also played an important role in popularizing then-smaller genres such as horror, science fiction, and foreign films. Siskel was also a passionate film preservationist who advocated for the preservation of older movies.
His influence on the film industry body was also far-reaching. As Greg Beal, former editor of the Chicago Reader put it, “his impact was felt in every corner of the business, from filmmakers to the press officers who were putting together the screening schedules to the theater owners and distributors, who were so scared of Siskel that they launched small campaigns to stop him from reviewing their films.”
Pop Culture Impact
Siskel and Ebert’s work together also influenced popular culture more broadly. The iconic thumbs up and thumbs down rating system became so closely associated with the pair that it was used in other television shows and films such as “The Simpsons” and “Wayne’s World”. Additionally, “Siskel & Ebert at the Movies” was often parodied on comedy shows like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons”.
Legacy & Awards
Siskel was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2000 and had a documentary about his life, “Gene Siskel: The Gentleman’s Critic”, released in 2006. He was also the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, including a Peabody Award for his work on “Siskel & Ebert at the Movies” and the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s Animation Achievement Award.
Gene Siskel was one of the most influential and beloved film critics of all-time. His sharp and incisive reviews, as well as his collaboration with Roger Ebert, helped to shape the film industry and influenced popular culture in a unique and profound way. His legacy as a passionate film historian and preservationist will live on forever.
