Background
Kroll was born in Manhattan. His mother was an Earl Carroll showgirl and his father, Lester Kroll, was a radio personality with the radio name "John Jay Anthony" ("Mr Anthony") on the long-running radio program The Goodwill Hour.
Kroll was born in Manhattan. His mother was an Earl Carroll showgirl and his father, Lester Kroll, was a radio personality with the radio name "John Jay Anthony" ("Mr Anthony") on the long-running radio program The Goodwill Hour.
He later attended City College of New York, graduating in 1954.
His career spanned 37 years – more than half the publication"s existence. Kroll spent two years in the United States. Army during the Korean War. He also earned a master"s degree in English and comparative literature.
A skilled writer adept at several forms of journalism, he joined Newsweek as an associate arts editor in 1963.
He ultimately became senior editor in charge of all cultural sections (1964), drama critic (1967), and critic-at-large (1975). Over his career with the magazine (1963-2000), he was responsible for 19 cover stories and over 1,200 articles
His last cover story was the December 14, 1998, piece on Nicole Kidman"s Broadway debut in The Blue Room. He died of colon cancer at New York University Medical Center at age 74.
National Magazine Award (1974. Foreign a piece on the arts in America) Page One (1974. Foreign a piece on the arts in America. And 1982, for a profile of Richard Pryor) George Jean Nathan Award (1980. Foreign dramatic criticism ) American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers / Deems Taylor Award (1981. Foreign coverage of John Lennon’s death).
