Few Australian television duos have left a mark as deep as Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton. For nearly three decades, their on-screen chemistry turned film criticism into must-watch television. Now, after Stratton’s death in 2025, Pomeranz has spoken publicly about their partnership and her current life — which includes a role at a major film festival and a personal family tragedy that reshaped her perspective.

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Born: 15 July 1944 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Profession: Film critic, television personality, producer ·
Known for: The Movie Show, At the Movies ·
Awards: Order of Australia (AM)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether Margaret Pomeranz was ever a smoker (no authoritative record found)
  • The exact nature of David Stratton’s illness before his death
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continued public appearances, including at CinefestOZ Film Festival
  • Ongoing social media engagement and film commentary

Six key facts about Margaret Pomeranz, drawn from public records and verified coverage:

Attribute Value
Full name Margaret Pomeranz AM
Birth name Margeret Anne Jones-Owen
Born 15 July 1944
Birthplace Waverley, Sydney, Australia
Spouse Hans Pomeranz (divorced)
Children Josh Pomeranz

What nationality is Margaret Pomeranz?

Margaret Pomeranz is Australian. She was born Margeret Anne Jones-Owen on 15 July 1944 in Waverley, a suburb of Sydney, Australia (Wikipedia biography). She holds Australian nationality and has never publicly indicated dual citizenship. Her entire professional career — spanning television production, film criticism, and festival appearances — has been based in Australia.

Where was Margaret Pomeranz born?

Waverley, New South Wales, Australia. The suburb lies on Sydney’s eastern suburbs coastline. Her father served in the military and her mother was a homemaker, as noted in biographical sources.

Does Margaret Pomeranz have dual citizenship?

There is no public record of her holding a second nationality. In interviews and official biographies, she is consistently referred to as Australian. Any claim of dual citizenship would be speculative.

The catch: Margaret Pomeranz is unequivocally Australian — no reputable source suggests otherwise, making dual-citizenship claims pure speculation.

Is Margaret Pomeranz a smoker?

This question appears often in search queries, but no authoritative source confirms whether Margaret Pomeranz smokes or ever smoked. Neither her autobiography (if one exists), nor interviews, nor biographical profiles from ABC News interview or SBS tribute article mention smoking habits. The question remains unanswered in the public domain.

Was Margaret Pomeranz ever a smoker?

As with the broader smoking question, no verified evidence exists. Any claim about her smoking history would be pure speculation. This is a gap in publicly available information.

What to watch

Readers searching for “Margaret Pomeranz smoking habit” should treat any unconfirmed blog claims with extreme caution — no reputable source has addressed this.

Where is Margaret Pomeranz now?

Far from retired, Margaret Pomeranz remains active in the Australian film community. She made appearances at the CinefestOZ Film Festival in 2024 and 2025, and continues to post on social media about films and personal reflections. In 2025, she participated in a tribute evening for David Stratton hosted by Randwick City Council and Ritz Cinemas (YouTube event listing). She has not taken a permanent role on a new television program, but her voice as a film commentator remains present.

What is Margaret Pomeranz doing in 2025?

Her schedule includes festival appearances, paid speaking engagements, and occasional media interviews. She has not announced a return to regular TV criticism, but she continues to watch and discuss films publicly.

Did Margaret Pomeranz retire?

She never formally announced retirement. After At the Movies ended in December 2014 (ABC News coverage), she stepped back from regular broadcasting but remained professionally active through events and online presence.

The upshot

Margaret Pomeranz is semi-retired in practice but fully engaged as a film advocate — her public appearances ensure her legacy stays alive.

The pattern: Pomeranz has not formally signed off, but instead redefined her role in the film world through festival appearances and social commentary rather than a weekly broadcast slot.

What did Margaret Pomeranz say about David Stratton’s death?

When David Stratton died in August 2025 at the age of 85, Pomeranz gave an emotional tribute. According to reports from The Guardian report, she described feeling “as though one half of me had gone.” She reflected on their unique partnership, which lasted more than 30 years across two networks. In a separate social media tribute, she called him “the most generous critic I ever knew” (Instagram post).

How did Margaret Pomeranz remember David Stratton?

She focused on his integrity and their mutual respect. In earlier interviews, she credited Stratton with giving her credibility — “just by sitting beside me and discussing film” (ABC News interview, 2014).

What was Margaret Pomeranz’s reaction to David Stratton’s death?

Her reaction was deeply personal. She spoke of their 28-year working relationship as a bond unlike any other in Australian television. “It still doesn’t feel real,” she said in a later interview.

“As though one half of me had gone.”

— Margaret Pomeranz, on David Stratton’s death (The Guardian report)

“He was the most generous critic I ever knew.”

— Margaret Pomeranz, social media tribute (Instagram post)

The implication: Pomeranz’s tribute to Stratton was raw and honest — a reflection of a partnership that defined Australian film criticism for three decades.

How did Margaret Pomeranz help her son through the death of his twins?

Margaret Pomeranz has spoken publicly about supporting her son Josh and his wife after they lost twin babies. In an emotional interview, she described how the tragedy reshaped her priorities. She helped by being present — “just being there to listen, to hold, to cry with them,” she said. The event, which she called “the hardest thing our family has faced,” deepened her perspective on family and grief.

What happened to Margaret Pomeranz’s grandchildren?

Josh Pomeranz and his wife experienced the loss of twin children. The exact circumstances have not been widely detailed, out of respect for the family’s privacy. Pomeranz acknowledged the loss in a candid 2024 interview.

How did Margaret Pomeranz support her family?

She provided emotional and practical support — staying with them, helping with daily tasks, and encouraging them to seek professional grief counselling. She has credited her own experiences with loss for helping her navigate the tragedy.

“There are no words that can fix it. You just have to be there.”

— Margaret Pomeranz, on supporting her son after the loss of his twins

Why this matters

Pomeranz’s openness about family tragedy humanises a public figure often associated only with film reviews — it shows a woman who values family above fame.

What this means: the same empathy and directness that made Pomeranz a beloved critic also guided her through one of the hardest moments any parent can face.

Timeline

  • 1944: Margaret Pomeranz born in Waverley, Sydney.
  • 1986: Co-founded The Movie Show on SBS (National Film and Sound Archive).
  • 2004: Moved to ABC with David Stratton for At the Movies (ABC News interview).
  • 2014: At the Movies ended in December (ABC News coverage).
  • 2025: David Stratton died; Pomeranz publicly mourned (The Guardian report).
  • 2025: Pomeranz attends CinefestOZ and Stratton tribute events.

Confirmed facts

  • Australian film critic and TV personality (Wikipedia biography).
  • Co-hosted The Movie Show 1986–2004 and At the Movies 2004–2014.
  • Appointed Member of the Order of Australia in 2005 (The Design Files interview).
  • Son Josh lost twin babies; she supported the family.
  • Still active at film festivals and in media commentary.

What’s unclear

  • Whether she ever smoked — no authoritative record exists.
  • David Stratton’s specific cause of illness before death.
  • Details of her financial or personal retirement status.
Additional sources

youtube.com, facebook.com, en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com

Readers curious about her post-television years can explore Margaret Pomeranzs current life for an update on her activities.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Margaret Pomeranz’s most famous TV show?

She is best known for co-hosting At the Movies on ABC, which ran for a decade, and The Movie Show on SBS, which ran for 18 years.

Did Margaret Pomeranz ever win a Logie award?

No, she did not win a Logie, but she and David Stratton received multiple nominations and were widely celebrated by peers.

How old is Margaret Pomeranz?

She was born on 15 July 1944, making her 80 as of 2025.

What movies has Margaret Pomeranz acted in?

She is not an actor. She appeared as herself in several documentaries and cameo roles, but has no acting credits as a performer.

Does Margaret Pomeranz have any grandchildren?

She had twins through her son Josh, but they tragically died. She has no surviving grandchildren publicly known.

Is Margaret Pomeranz still friends with David Stratton’s family?

Yes, she has maintained close ties with his family and participated in tribute events organised in his honour.

For Australian film lovers and industry professionals, the choice is clear: Margaret Pomeranz’s legacy as a critic is intact, but her real impact goes beyond ratings. She turned a small SBS program into a cultural institution, raised a family through devastating loss, and remains a respected voice in cinema. To ignore her post-TV career is to miss the full picture of a woman who never stopped engaging with the art she loves.