Gene Siskel
Born: 1946-01-26 in Chicago, Illinois, United States
Died: 1999-02-20
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2026
- Mineshaft: The Cruising Murders as Self (archive footage)
2020
- The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault as (archive footage)
- AGFA Mystery Mixtape #3: Sequelitis as Self
2014
- Life Itself as Self - Film Critic (archive footage)
2010
- Don't You Forget About Me as Self (archive footage)
2009
- Waking Sleeping Beauty as Self (archive footage)
2004
2002
- Mysteries of Love as Self (archive footage)
1999
1994
- The Critic as Gene Siskel (voice)
1993
- Late Show with David Letterman as Self - Guest
- Sesame Street Jam: A Musical Celebration as Self (segment "Monster in the Mirror")
1992
- The Larry Sanders Show as Gene Siskel
1991
- Siskel & Ebert 1991 Holiday Video Gift Guide as Gene Siskel
1987
- A Confessional Documentary as Roger Ebert
1986
1982
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self (uncredited)