Joe Morgenstern, celebrated for his remarkable career as an American writer and retired film critic, is not just a name in the world of cinema. Beyond his cinematic insights, curiosity often arises about his personal life, particularly regarding his marital status and family.
Joe Morgenstern’s journey through life has seen many remarkable chapters. Born on October 3, 1932, in the heart of New York City, Morgenstern has carved out an exceptional career as a film critic, starting from his stint at Newsweek in 1965, which spanned until 1983. During this period, he made a significant mark in the world of film critique, most notably when he famously panned the groundbreaking film “Bonnie and Clyde” only to reconsider and retract his opinion in the next issue. This pivot turned into a golden marketing opportunity for Warner Brothers, creating buzz about the movie.
From 1983 to 1988, he embarked on another exciting chapter of his career, writing a column for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. His writings have been featured in numerous distinguished publications, including CNBC, The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Rolling Stone, Esquire, the Columbia Journalism Review, and the Los Angeles Times Magazine. Morgenstern’s significant contributions to the world of film critique were further underscored by his role as a co-founder of the National Society of Film Critics, an organization dedicated to promoting the art of film critique.
Morgenstern’s versatility also extends to screenwriting; he co-wrote the 1976 television film “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble” and contributed to various episodes of the acclaimed series “Law & Order.”
However, it was his role as the film critic for The Wall Street Journal that marked the zenith of his career. Starting in May 1995, Morgenstern’s movie reviews graced the pages of the newspaper every Friday in the “Weekend & Leisure” section. His extensive coverage of the movie industry in a column that appeared every other Saturday was appreciated by both readers and colleagues. His remarkable journey culminated with the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2005, making him one of the few film critics to receive this accolade, following in the footsteps of Roger Ebert and Stephen Hunter.
In 2022, Morgenstern decided to bid adieu to his long-standing role at The Wall Street Journal, with his final column running in print on April 29. This marked the end of his 27-year association with the newspaper. During his time at The Wall Street Journal, Morgenstern also contributed his insightful reviews to the Los Angeles-area radio station KCRW.
Joe Morgenstern’s personal life paints a more intimate portrait of this celebrated figure. He is a Lehigh University graduate, with 1953 marking his year of graduation.
In terms of his family life, Joe was married to the esteemed actress Piper Laurie, a partnership that lasted from 1962 until their divorce in 1982. Together, they adopted one daughter, adding a profound familial dimension to his life.
As of 2015, Morgenstern called Santa Monica, California, his home, relishing the tranquility of the West Coast.
The question of whether Joe Morgenstern is married or if he has children finds its answers in the intricate layers of his life journey. These facets of his personal life, although less documented than his professional achievements, offer an enriching perspective into the man behind the critiques and reviews.