Ann Hornaday, a longtime film critic for The Washington Post and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, dies at 66 following a battle with glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. She died at her home in Baltimore, according to multiple reports.
Hornaday joined The Washington Post in 2002 and worked there for more than 20 years, leaving in 2025. She began her film criticism career in the 1990s and became known as a respected voice in film coverage, including as one of the relatively few women critics in her early years. PBS also notes she appeared for years as a regular on the NewsHour, where she discussed film with viewers.
The outlets agree on her role at The Washington Post and her prominence in film criticism, as well as the cause of death. They differ mainly in emphasis—IndieWire highlights her early career and representation, while Variety and PBS focus on her career tenure and her appearances on television.
