FIlm Critic Roger Ebert Dies at 70
HomeFIlm Critic Roger Ebert Dies at 70
Posted April 4, 2013 10:01 PM by Webmaster
After a decade-long battle with cancer, renowned film critic and journalist Roger Ebert died today at the age of 70, two days after announcing he would be taking "a leave of presence" due to his ailing health. The Pulitzer Prize-winning industry legend worked for The Chicago Sun-Times for 46-years, posting on Tuesday what has become his last message to his readers: "So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I'll see you at the movies."
Born in Urbana, Illinois in 1942, Ebert's long, illustrious career can be traced back to the early 1960s, where he became a reporter for The University of Illinois independent student newspaper The Daily Illini, then later its editor. His professional career launched just a few years after, at The Sun-Times in 1967. From there, Ebert quickly rose to national and international prominence as one of the most influential film critics to date, first as a print journalist, then, in 1975, as the co-host of Sneak Previews; a soon-to-be hit show which millions of fans would come to know as At the Movies, Siskel & Ebert and, after the death of his friend and co-host Gene Siskel in 1999, At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper. With the turn of a thumb, Ebert could help make or break a film, catapult or sink a filmmaker's career, or generate nation-sweeping buzz and water-cooler chatter.
Photo By Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Even with the power to change the trajectory of a movie or career, the unflinchingly honest critic and television host earned respect and carried tremendous clout within the film industry, as evidenced by the outpouring of sympathies from directors, writers and actors upon the announcement of his death. Robert Redford called Ebert "one of the great champions of freedom of artistic expression." Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, "Roger, I hope you're in an infinite movie palace, watching every film the great directors only dreamed of making." Director Christopher Nolan said, "Roger really to me has been emblematic of a wonderful everyman approach to criticism. He never became jaded... even while bringing a very thoughtful critical eye. When you have a relationship with a film critic like Roger Ebert, you were getting a really cohesive and coherent idea of what a film might have to offer." Steven Spielberg said, "He wrote with passion through a real knowledge of film and film history, and in doing so, helped many movies find their audiences. Along with Gene Shalit, Joel Siegel, and of course Gene Siskel, Roger put television criticism on the map."
Further tributes have flooded in. Director Cameron Crowe: "Roger Ebert. Clear-eyed dreamer, king of the written word." Director Jason Reitman: "A profound loss for anyone who has ever loved going to the movies. My heart goes out to [his wife] Chaz and the city of Chicago. Just heartbroken." Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who received both accolades (Clerks) and, more recently, scathing reviews from Ebert: "An iconic game-changer, Roger brought film criticism AND movie-loving to the mainstream." Oprah Winfrey: "Roger and Gene together again. End of an era." Actor Steve Martin: "Goodbye Roger Ebert, we had fun. The balcony is closed."
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wrote, "even in recent years when illness robbed him of his ability to speak, the mere act of raising his thumb brought auditoriums full of people to their feet in applause." President Obama made a statement as well: "Even amidst his own battles with cancer, Roger was as productive as he was resilient, continuing to share his passion and perspective with the world."
Ebert is survived by his wife of more than twenty years, Chaz, who earlier today issued a statement:
Born in Urbana, Illinois in 1942, Ebert's long, illustrious career can be traced back to the early 1960s, where he became a reporter for The University of Illinois independent student newspaper The Daily Illini, then later its editor. His professional career launched just a few years after, at The Sun-Times in 1967. From there, Ebert quickly rose to national and international prominence as one of the most influential film critics to date, first as a print journalist, then, in 1975, as the co-host of Sneak Previews; a soon-to-be hit show which millions of fans would come to know as At the Movies, Siskel & Ebert and, after the death of his friend and co-host Gene Siskel in 1999, At the Movies with Ebert and Roeper. With the turn of a thumb, Ebert could help make or break a film, catapult or sink a filmmaker's career, or generate nation-sweeping buzz and water-cooler chatter.
Photo By Mario Anzuoni / Reuters
Even with the power to change the trajectory of a movie or career, the unflinchingly honest critic and television host earned respect and carried tremendous clout within the film industry, as evidenced by the outpouring of sympathies from directors, writers and actors upon the announcement of his death. Robert Redford called Ebert "one of the great champions of freedom of artistic expression." Comedian Patton Oswalt tweeted, "Roger, I hope you're in an infinite movie palace, watching every film the great directors only dreamed of making." Director Christopher Nolan said, "Roger really to me has been emblematic of a wonderful everyman approach to criticism. He never became jaded... even while bringing a very thoughtful critical eye. When you have a relationship with a film critic like Roger Ebert, you were getting a really cohesive and coherent idea of what a film might have to offer." Steven Spielberg said, "He wrote with passion through a real knowledge of film and film history, and in doing so, helped many movies find their audiences. Along with Gene Shalit, Joel Siegel, and of course Gene Siskel, Roger put television criticism on the map."
Further tributes have flooded in. Director Cameron Crowe: "Roger Ebert. Clear-eyed dreamer, king of the written word." Director Jason Reitman: "A profound loss for anyone who has ever loved going to the movies. My heart goes out to [his wife] Chaz and the city of Chicago. Just heartbroken." Filmmaker Kevin Smith, who received both accolades (Clerks) and, more recently, scathing reviews from Ebert: "An iconic game-changer, Roger brought film criticism AND movie-loving to the mainstream." Oprah Winfrey: "Roger and Gene together again. End of an era." Actor Steve Martin: "Goodbye Roger Ebert, we had fun. The balcony is closed."
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn wrote, "even in recent years when illness robbed him of his ability to speak, the mere act of raising his thumb brought auditoriums full of people to their feet in applause." President Obama made a statement as well: "Even amidst his own battles with cancer, Roger was as productive as he was resilient, continuing to share his passion and perspective with the world."
Ebert is survived by his wife of more than twenty years, Chaz, who earlier today issued a statement:
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"I am devastated by the loss of my love, Roger — my husband, my friend, my confidante and oh-so-brilliant partner of over 20 years. He fought a courageous fight. I've lost the love of my life and the world has lost a visionary and a creative and generous spirit who touched so many people all over the world. We had a lovely, lovely life together, more beautiful and epic than a movie. It had its highs and the lows, but was always experienced with good humor, grace and a deep abiding love for each other.
Roger was a beloved husband, stepfather to Sonia and Jay, and grandfather to Raven, Emil, Mark and Joseph. Just yesterday he was saying how his grandchildren were 'the best things in my life.' He was happy and radiating satisfaction over the outpouring of responses to his blog about his 46th year as a film critic. But he was also getting tired of his fight with cancer, and said if this takes him, he has lived a great and full life.
We were getting ready to go home today for hospice care, when he looked at us, smiled, and passed away. No struggle, no pain, just a quiet, dignified transition.
We are touched by all the kindness and the outpouring of love we've received. And I want to echo what Roger said in his last blog, thank you for going on this journey with us."
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Thank you. Forty-six years ago on April 3, 1967, I became the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Some of you have read my reviews and columns and even written to me since that time. Others were introduced to my film criticism through the television show, my books, the website, the film festival, or the Ebert Club and newsletter. However you came to know me, I'm glad you did and thank you for being the best readers any film critic could ask for.
Typically, I write over 200 reviews a year for the Sun-Times that are carried by Universal Press Syndicate in some 200 newspapers. Last year, I wrote the most of my career, including 306 movie reviews, a blog post or two a week, and assorted other articles. I must slow down now, which is why I'm taking what I like to call "a leave of presence."
What in the world is a leave of presence? It means I am not going away. My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me. What's more, I'll be able at last to do what I've always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review...
Of course, there will be some changes. The immediate reason for my "leave of presence" is my health. The "painful fracture" that made it difficult for me to walk has recently been revealed to be a cancer. It is being treated with radiation, which has made it impossible for me to attend as many movies as I used to. I have been watching more of them on screener copies that the studios have been kind enough to send to me. My friend and colleague Richard Roeper and other critics have stepped up and kept the newspaper and website current with reviews of all the major releases. So we have and will continue to go on.
At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it's like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you. It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.
I'll also be able to review classics for my "Great Movies" collection, which has produced three books and could justify a fourth...
For years I devoutly took every one of my tear sheets, folded them and added them to a pile on my desk... Today, because of technology, the opportunities to become bigger, better and reach more people are piling up too. The fact that we're re-launching the site now, in the midst of other challenges, should give you an idea how important Rogerebert.com and Ebert Digital are to Chaz and me. I hope you'll stop by, and look for me. I'll be there.
So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I'll see you at the movies."