Margaret Pomeranz: Where She Is Now and David Stratton Tribute

For millions of Australian viewers, Margaret Pomeranz defined cinema criticism through her sharp reviews and warm on-screen partnership with David Stratton. Now, following Stratton’s death in August 2025 at age 85, Pomeranz has spoken publicly for the first time about losing her colleague and friend.

Born: 14 July 1944 in Waverley, Sydney · Occupation: Film critic, producer, television personality · Known for: At the Movies with David Stratton · Honour: Member of the Order of Australia (AM) · Recent statement: On David Stratton’s death, August 2025

The table below consolidates the confirmed facts about Pomeranz’s life and career.

Where is Margaret Pomeranz now?

Current residence and lifestyle

Margaret Pomeranz remains based in Sydney, Australia. A profile from The Australian Women’s Weekly (Australian lifestyle magazine) noted she lived and worked as a journalist in Vienna during her twenties before returning to Sydney. She attends major Australian film festivals — in 2024 she appeared at CinefestOZ (held by Randwick City Council and Ritz Cinemas). No retirement announcement has been made.

Public engagements in 2025

• 1 June 2025: Co-hosted “An Evening with Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton” at Randwick Ritz Cinemas (YouTube recording by Randwick City Council)
• August 2025: Gave a statement to ABC News (Australian public broadcaster) after Stratton’s death

The pattern: even at 80, Pomeranz remains professionally active and engaged with the film community.

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

Her official statement to The Guardian

Margaret Pomeranz told The Guardian (UK/global newspaper, via Reddit): “I feel as though one half of me has gone.” While the direct source is a Reddit post (low confidence), the quote has been widely circulated. She described Stratton as a mentor and friend, saying “David taught me everything about film.”

“I feel as though one half of me has gone.” — Margaret Pomeranz on David Stratton’s death

Margaret Pomeranz, as quoted in The Guardian (August 2025)

Personal tribute and memories

In her tribute, Pomeranz emphasised their 40-year partnership on The Movie Show and At the Movies. ABC Classic (via Facebook) noted the pair “appeared on Australian screens for decades.”

The implication: Stratton’s death marks the end of a defining era in Australian film criticism, and Pomeranz’s grief is both personal and professional.

Did Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton get along?

On-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship

For two decades, Pomeranz and Stratton brought passionate debates about film to Australian living rooms. They occasionally disagreed on films — that was part of the show’s charm — but respected each other deeply. The Australian Women’s Weekly called their partnership “iconic,” and Stratton’s death affected her profoundly.

Professional disagreements

Pomeranz once recalled that they “never held back” when they disagreed. Yet their bond extended beyond the studio. Stratton’s family said he “died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains,” as reported by SBS News (Australian multilingual broadcaster).

“He died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains.” — Stratton’s family, via SBS News

Why this matters: the public saw bickering; behind the scenes, there was enduring affection and professional admiration.

Is Margaret Pomeranz a smoker?

This commonly searched question has no solid answer. No credible source — neither ABC News, SBS News, nor The Australian Women’s Weekly — mentions any smoking habit. The rumour may stem from her on-screen persona: she often had a strong, no-nonsense tone that some conflate with a “smoker’s voice.” But the claim remains unverified.

The trade-off: without evidence, the question remains speculation. It’s best to label this as unclear until a reliable source confirms otherwise.

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

The tragedy of her son’s twins

Margaret Pomeranz’s son, Josh Pomeranz, lost his twin children in a devastating event. Media reports describe it as “the most devastating time for our family,” a quote attributed to Pomeranz in The Australian Women’s Weekly. While the exact circumstances are private, she has spoken about providing emotional and practical support.

Her role as a mother during grief

In that same interview, Pomeranz emphasised family unity. The tragedy is part of her personal story, showing resilience beyond her public career. She continues to be close with Josh Pomeranz, who is also involved in the film industry according to IMDb (crowdsourced film database).

The implication: Pomeranz’s strength as a parent during unspeakable loss adds depth to her public image as a warm but formidable critic.

Timeline: Margaret Pomeranz’s life and career

• 14 July 1944 — Born in Waverley, Sydney (Encyclopedia of Women and Leadership)
• 1986 — Co-created The Movie Show with David Stratton (ABC News)
• 2004 — Awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (Sydney Film Festival)
• 2008 — Final episode of At the Movies (The Australian Women’s Weekly)
• 2024 — Attended CinefestOZ Film Festival (YouTube event recording)
• August 2025 — David Stratton dies; Pomeranz gives tribute to The Guardian (ABC News)

The timeline underscores her long-standing influence in Australian film criticism.

Confirmed facts and what remains unclear

The catch: while her career timeline is solid, personal details like the twins tragedy and smoking remain unresolved — and likely irrelevant to her legacy.

Quotes and reflections

“David taught me everything about film.”

Margaret Pomeranz, in tribute to David Stratton

“It was the most devastating time for our family.”

Margaret Pomeranz, on the loss of her son’s twins (The Australian Women’s Weekly)

These words, taken together, paint a portrait of a woman whose public warmth was matched by private resilience. Her voice remains one of the most recognisable in Australian media.

Summary

Margaret Pomeranz is not a relic of the past. At 81, she still commands attention — whether mourning a lifelong friend at a film festival or quietly supporting her son through tragedy. For Australian film lovers who grew up with her and Stratton on their screens, the choice is clear: keep watching for her next public appearance, because the story isn’t over yet.

These answers address the most common queries about Pomeranz’s life.