Ann Hornaday, Washington Post Film Critic and Author, Dies at 66

Key points

• Ann Hornaday died at her home in North Baltimore on Sunday after a battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, according to her husband Dennis Greenia.
• She was born on March 9, 1960, in Iowa City, Iowa, and graduated from Smith College in 1982 with a degree in government.
• Hornaday joined The Washington Post in 2002, replacing Rita Kempley, and served as a prominent film critic until taking a buyout in 2025.
• She was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for criticism in 2008 and was known for her accessible, pretension-free reviews.
• Hornaday authored the 2017 book 'Talking Pictures: How to Watch Movies' and had a posthumous book on the production of 'All the President's Men' scheduled for 2028.

Background

Hornaday's career included freelancing for Premiere, Us, and Ms. Magazine, as well as working as Gloria Steinem's administrative assistant. She also worked for the Austin American-Statesman and The Baltimore Sun before joining The Washington Post. Her passing marks the end of a significant tenure in media criticism, where she balanced the enduring magic of film with its occasional disappointments for a national audience.

Why it matters

Hornaday's death marks the end of a significant era in film criticism, as she was a national figure known for her accessible reviews and mentorship within the entertainment industry. Her contributions to film literacy and her posthumous book on 'All the President's Men' will continue to influence readers and critics alike.

What to watch

Hornaday's posthumous book on the production of 'All the President's Men' is set to be published in 2028. Her legacy will continue to influence film criticism and literacy, and her family, including her husband Dennis and daughters Victoria and Leila, will remember her contributions to the field.