Mary McNamara is a culture columnist and critic for the Los Angeles Times. Previously she was assistant managing editor for arts and entertainment following a 12-year stint as television critic and senior culture editor. A Pulitzer Prize winner in 2015 and finalist for criticism in 2013 and 2014, she has won various awards for criticism and feature writing. She is the author of the Hollywood mysteries “Oscar Season” and “The Starlet.” She lives in La Crescenta with her husband, three children and two dogs.
Latest From This Author
As publisher, Katharine Graham not only helped change the Washington Post from a small, local daily into a paper of international importance but also set the standard of media ownership.
Times columnists Mary McNamara and Glenn Whipp break down the biggest surprises, best moments and top winners of the 97th Oscars in our live chat.
An unpredictable, volatile presence onscreen, the actor leaves behind major performances in five different decades. We celebrate Hackman’s legacy with our picks.
In Screen Gab no. 170, we share our obsession with Dan Fogelman’s twisty post-apocalyptic drama, catch up with ‘Found’s’ Gabrielle Walsh and more.
The new administration’s mass reduction of the federal workforce will endanger the relatively few and short holidays Americans take. That’s not ‘efficient.’ It’s heartless.
- Voices
Commentary: The Eaton fire claimed her home, studio and this ‘powerful’ piece of Oscars history
For years, Susie Chung’s students delighted in playing on the Steinway piano Lady Gaga used at the 2019 Oscars. Now it, along with Chung’s home and studio, are gone.
- Voices
Commentary: With 2025 SAG Awards, Netflix proved it isn’t solving awards season ratings crisis
The awards show with the largest percentage of famous faces failed to grow its audience in 2024 when it made its Netflix debut. It’s tough to imagine it will do so this year.
Harry and Sally! Catherine O’Hara and Willem Dafoe! The Budweiser Clydesdale foal! The 2025 Super Bowl commercials failed to live up to the hype — and the hype is at the root of the problem.
Con una serie de tuits resurgidos, la actriz principal nominada por ‘Emilia Pérez’ ha causado un gran revuelo en la temporada de premios y mucha confusión en torno a la guerra cultural.
- Voices
Commentary: How Karla Sofía Gascón turned a historic Oscars first into a historic Oscars nightmare
With a series of resurfaced tweets, the lead actress nominee for ‘Emilia Pérez’ has caused an awards season uproar — and plenty of culture war confusion.