Besides his film reviews, Mr. Siegel reports on entertainment-related news and presents a monthly report on the best video releases. He has interviewed actors and entertainers, as well as fellow critics, and his annual Oscar-time reports and profiles have become a popular feature on the program.

Mr. Siegel's prime-time special, "Joel Siegel's Road to the Academy Awards," was broadcast for ten years on WABC-TV and also was syndicated to more than 100 markets.

Whether reporting from "GMA's" New York studio or from locations around the country, Mr. Siegel's wit, enthusiasm and knowledge of the entertainment scene have made him an important contributor to "Good Morning America's" success.

Mr. Siegel is President of "Gilda's Club," a non-profit emotional and social support facility for cancer patients and their family and friends. Mr. Siegel and actor Gene Wilder co-founded the New York club in 1991 in honor of the late comedienne Gilda Radner. They continue to raise funds for the unique organization, which also now has branches in Detroit and South Florida.

A native of Los Angeles, where he graduated cum laude from UCLA, Mr. Siegel worked variously as a radio newscaster, book reviewer for the Los Angeles Times, freelance writer for such publications as Rolling Stone and Sports Illustrated, joke writer for Senator Robert Kennedy, and advertising agency copywriter/producer, where, among other things, he invented ice cream flavors for Baskin-Robbins.

Mr. Siegel arrived in New York in 1972 as a feature reporter for WCBS-TV. He also hosted "Joel Siegel's New York" on WCBS Radio.

In 1976, Mr. Siegel joined WABC-TV's "Eyewitness News" in New York as the station's entertainment critic, a position he continues to hold.

Since joining "Eyewitness News," Mr. Siegel has been honored with five New York Emmy Awards; the Public Service Award for "distinguished news reporting and commitment to freedom of the press" from the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith; and the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association Award for "general excellence in individual reporting."

Mr. Siegel wrote the book for "The First," a musical play produced on Broadway in the 1981-82 season, that told the story of the legendary Jackie Robinson's breakthrough into major league baseball. For it, he was honored with a 1982 Tony Award nomination -- the only drama critic ever to receive one.

Mr. Siegel is married and resides in Manhattan.

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