Ann Hornaday, the longtime film critic at The Washington Post and a 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalist in criticism, died Sunday at her home in Baltimore at the age of 66 following a battle with glioblastoma.
Hornaday Shaped Cultural Discourse Through Film Reviews and Books
- Hornaday spent more than two decades shaping cultural discourse at The Washington Post, joining the publication in 2002 before departing in 2025.
- She earned recognition as a 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalist in criticism, submitting notable evaluations including her review of Paul Thomas Anderson’s There Will Be Blood.
- Beyond her daily reviews and deep dives into major motion pictures like The Hurt Locker and Oppenheimer, she authored books on cinematic literacy and the making of All the President’s Men.
Two Decades Shaping Film Culture at The Washington Post
Over a tenure spanning more than twenty years, Hornaday became a defining voice for readers navigating the modern cinematic landscape. Joining the paper in 2002 after serving as the film critic for the Baltimore Sun and the Austin American-Statesman, she authored hundreds of reviews, profiles, and cultural assessments. Her coverage ranged from contemporary masterworks like Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer to retrospective examinations of classics like Jaws.
Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray paid tribute to her lasting impact on the newsroom and its readership. “For many years, Post readers were blessed by Ann’s informed, insightful, warm, accessible, and totally unique voice,” Murray said in a statement published by the paper, as noted by variety.com. “Reading her work was like talking with a close — if much more knowledgeable — friend.”
From Early Reporting Roots to National Criticism
Born Ann Mills Hornaday on March 9, 1960, in Iowa City and adopted by William R. Hornaday Jr. and his wife Mary Mills, she grew up in Des Moines. She attended Smith College, graduating in 1982 with a degree in government before carving out a multifaceted career in arts journalism. Before securing her prominent posts at major metropolitan dailies, Hornaday worked as a freelance writer in New York, contributing to outlets including The New York Times and Premiere magazine. She also spent two years working directly as Gloria Steinem’s personal assistant at Ms. magazine.
Her critical authority extended well beyond daily newspaper columns. In 2008, her critical output earned her a nomination as a Pulitzer Prize finalist, anchored by a submission package that featured her incisive review of There Will Be Blood. She also sought to demystify the medium for general audiences through her book Talking Pictures, a guide on how to watch and analyze films, and completed a subsequent book focused on the grueling production history of the political thriller All the President’s Men.
A Legacy Remembered in Baltimore and Beyond
While maintaining a high-profile career as a national critic, Hornaday remained deeply rooted in her local community as a parishioner and Sunday school teacher in Baltimore. Her professional dedication was matched by her private life with her family.
She is survived by Dennis Greenia, her husband of 26 years; their daughter, Victoria Greenia; her stepdaughter, Leila Greenia; and her brother, William Hornaday III.
