Lester took this pseudonym from his two sons' given names: John (Jack) and Anthony.
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).
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.