Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert
Name	Roger Ebert
Caption	Ebert at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006.
Birth date	18 June 1942
Birth place	Urbana, Illinois, U.S.
Death date	4 April 2013
Death place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Film critic, journalist, screenwriter
Education	University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BA), University of Chicago
Spouse	Chaz Hammel-Smith, 1992, 2013
Awards	Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1975)

Roger Ebert was an American film critic, journalist, and author whose career spanned over four decades, profoundly shaping public discourse on cinema. He became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975 while writing for the Chicago Sun-Times. Alongside his television partner Gene Siskel, he popularized film criticism through their nationally syndicated review programs, most famously Siskel & Ebert & the Movies. His accessible, insightful writing and his iconic "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" verdicts made him one of the most influential and recognizable cultural commentators in the United States.

Early life and education

Born in Urbana, Illinois, he developed an early passion for journalism, publishing his own neighborhood newspaper as a child. He attended University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he served as editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Daily Illini. After graduating with a degree in journalism, he pursued graduate studies in English at the University of Chicago before beginning his professional career. His academic background in literature and writing provided a strong foundation for his analytical approach to film.

Career

He began his professional career as a reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1966. Shortly after, he was appointed the newspaper's film critic, a position he held for the remainder of his life. His partnership with rival critic Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune began in 1975 with the local PBS show Opening Soon at a Theater Near You, which evolved into the nationally syndicated Siskel & Ebert & the Movies. Following Siskel's death in 1999, he continued the program with various co-hosts, including Richard Roeper. Beyond criticism, he authored numerous books, wrote screenplays for films like Beyond the Valley of the Dolls under director Russ Meyer, and was a prolific contributor to publications such as the New York Post and Yahoo! Movies.

Film criticism and influence

His criticism was characterized by its democratic, prose-driven clarity and deep empathy, often focusing on a film's emotional truth and narrative coherence rather than rigid academic theory. He championed independent and foreign cinema while also engaging thoughtfully with mainstream Hollywood productions. The "thumbs up/thumbs down" rating system, developed with Siskel, became a cultural shorthand for film quality. He was an early adopter of the internet, launching his influential website, RogerEbert.com, and using his blog to discuss a wide array of topics beyond film, from politics to personal illness, further expanding his reach and connection with readers.

Health issues and later years

Diagnosed with cancers of the thyroid and salivary glands in 2002, he underwent extensive surgeries that resulted in the loss of his lower jaw and the ability to speak or eat normally. Despite these profound challenges, his output increased remarkably; he continued to write reviews, books, and blog entries with renewed vigor, using a computerized voice system for communication. His appearance at the 2010 Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival in Champaign, Illinois, where he communicated via text-to-speech technology, was a powerful public testament to his resilience. These later years saw some of his most celebrated and personal writing.

Personal life and death

He married attorney Chaz Ebert in 1992, a partnership he frequently credited as the central, sustaining force in his life, especially during his health struggles. He was a longtime resident of Chicago and was known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in supporting film education and literacy programs. He died on April 4, 2013, at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago from complications of cancer. His final blog entry, written just two days before his death, was titled "A Leave of Presence."

Legacy and honors

His legacy is immense, having democratized film criticism and set a standard for accessible yet intellectually rigorous cultural journalism. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was named an honorary life member of the Directors Guild of America. The Pulitzer Prize board cited his reviews for their "perceptive and witty film criticism." The annual Ebertfest, originally called "Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival," continues at the University of Illinois. His extensive review archive and the continued operation of RogerEbert.com under the stewardship of Chaz Ebert ensure his voice remains a vital part of cinematic conversation.

Category:American film critics Category:Pulitzer Prize winners Category:1942 births Category:2013 deaths