Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Rauner wants referendum on gay marriage
Next Post: War is over if you want it
Posted in:
* A Chicago media giant has passed on…
[Roger Ebert], 70, who reviewed movies for the Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years and on TV for 31 years, and who was without question the nation’s most prominent and influential film critic, died Thursday in Chicago. He had been in poor health over the past decade, battling cancers of the thyroid and salivary gland.
He lost part of his lower jaw in 2006, and with it the ability to speak or eat, a calamity that would have driven other men from the public eye. But Ebert refused to hide, instead forging what became a new chapter in his career, an extraordinary chronicle of his devastating illness that won him a new generation of admirers. “No point in denying it,” he wrote, analyzing his medical struggles with characteristic courage, candor and wit, a view that was never tinged with bitterness or self-pity.
On Tuesday, Mr. Ebert blogged that he had suffered a recurrence of cancer following a hip fracture suffered in December, and would be taking “a leave of presence.” In the blog essay, marking his 46th anniversary of becoming the Sun-Times film critic, Ebert wrote “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 hand-picked and greatly admired by me.”
More…
“‘Kindness’ covers all of my political beliefs,” he wrote, at the end of his memoirs. “No need to spell them out. I believe that if, at the end, according to our abilities, we have done something to make others a little happier, and something to make ourselves a little happier, that is about the best we can do. To make others less happy is a crime. To make ourselves unhappy is where all crime starts. We must try to contribute joy to the world. That is true no matter what our problems, our health, our circumstances. We must try. I didn’t always know this and am happy I lived long enough to find it out.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 2:56 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Rauner wants referendum on gay marriage
Next Post: War is over if you want it
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
How very sad…RIP.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:01 pm
I always thought he was a cool guy and I appreciated his moving on even with his cancer.
Comment by INDEPENDENT Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:04 pm
Very sad news.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:05 pm
His movie review show (with its loving sibling rivalry with Gene Siskel) was among the best things ever on TV. They both left the world too young.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:09 pm
So sorry to hear this. I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr. Ebert a few years ago when he was honored as a Lincoln laureate. He was very generous with his time and allowed us to tape the interview on the set of “Ebert and Roeper at the Movies” which was quite a thrill. He was very down to earth, gracious, and intensely proud of his downstate roots in Urbana where his father worked at the University of Illinois power plant.
Rest in Peace.
Comment by Jak Tichenor Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:11 pm
Roger Ebert’s courage in his battle with cancer was awe inspiring. He never let cancer take away the things he valued most.
Give our best to Gene Siskel. You’re a two thumbs up kind of a guy.
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:12 pm
I got the chance to meet both Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel many years ago. Both top drawer people and on top of their game. While Gene Shalit tried to be the nation’s film critic, frankly nobody ever held a candle to Ebert and Siskel…and I doubt anyone will in my lifetime. Rest in peace.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:14 pm
I give Ebert’s life 2 thumbs up, the man is a legend.
Comment by Ahoy! Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:22 pm
A smart man and great writer. He will be missed.
Comment by wishbone Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:24 pm
While I never met him I knew other members of his family back in Champaign and thought the world of them . Good people. He is missed…
Comment by LINK Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:25 pm
Very sad news indeed.
Comment by Because I said so... Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:28 pm
Damn. One of the best writers this city–and state–has ever produced.
Comment by vise77 Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:34 pm
A class act. Really sorry (and surprised) to catch the news this afternoon. I suppose he has already reunited with his old buddy Gene Siskel by now.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:41 pm
So sad to hear this news about a guy who was not only talented and successful, but generous in sharing his talent and success to help others, especially in the u of I community… as evidenced by this months ebertfest.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:44 pm
Chicago is a smaller city today.
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:48 pm
I loved watching Siskel and Ebert go at each other during the show days. They could get very animated and intense. And they would be the first to describe their relationship as brother to brother - filled with competiveness and collaboration. Ebert’s struggle with illness showed how strong he was, and how strong his marriage was. Would that we all could face what life hands us with such grace and determination.
Comment by dupage dan Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:49 pm
I think the final quote you posted is a remarkable philosophy and shows Ebert as the kind of person we should aspire to be. Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:54 pm
A sad day for all. Ebertfest will be very somber this month.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:56 pm
Grew up with At the Movies. Watched every week and still sought out his reviews online for current movies. Gene and Roger were highly opinionated but could agree to disagree. I usually agreed with Rogers reviews. My sympathies to Chazz. One of Chicago’s very best…
Comment by Loop Lady Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 3:57 pm
RIP, he is reviewing movies for the All Might now
Comment by RMW Stanford Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:05 pm
He was a man who understood criticism in all facets of life, consequently, he was humble, wise, thoughtful, articulate and awesome.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:10 pm
He fought until the very end, working until the very end. RIP Mr. Ebert. He was obviously a fighter and did not let on how sick he was, he really battled one thing after another.
Comment by 3rd Generation Chicago Native Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:11 pm
Sorry to hear the sad news. While I knew that Ebert was ill again, I did not know that the malignancy had progressed so fast. His leave of absence announcement was quite recent.
I really enjoyed the original series of movie programs when the shows were produced locally at WTTW Channel 11 in Chicago and then syndicated. Eventually, the success of the show led Siskel and Ebert to seek a national distribution and syndication deal that paid much more money, but the program lost a bit of its homespun quality.
The new program was good, but slicker. It was akin to Prairie Home Companion going to the Hollywood Bowl. I did like the fact that Ebert chose to hold his own film festival in Champaign. R.I.P.
Comment by Esquire Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:15 pm
I kick myself for not writing about this before, but Roger Ebert was the best writer working in newspapers in Chicago. His style and wordsmith ranks among the best ever. I always enjoyed reading his reviews, especially films he hated because the writing was even better. I believe he was the best writer amongst the chicago press and truly an intellect.
We could relate to his tastes and he wasn’t shy about liking silly movies. God Bless.
Comment by anonx Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:19 pm
Truly great loss to our state, I was shocked to see this after reading his upbeat statement regarding his latest recurrence.
Everyone could take a lesson in courage from Roger Ebert, his illness didn’t seem to slow him down a bit. Big two thumbs up to his life.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:24 pm
extreme blub. so sad. Chaz, so sorry for your loss. I’ve only met you once, but you are a sweet spirit, a beautiful lady and a world class wife and your sorrow must be so deep. Roger’s reviews ring in my ears for particular movies. He was a high minded critic who loved well made popcorn movies too. this is a great loss for Chicago and the state of Illinois and for the world of the movies. God bless you Roger Ebert.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 4:51 pm
He was a friend for over thirty years. We had so much fun doing a movie review show together on rock and roll radio: Mighty Met Radio Pictures. His last years spent in pain and discomfort, disfigured by cancer. God as a mad chemist. His whole life lived with purpose, a great writer, a chronicler of his times by writing about movies. To quote from one of his favorite movies: you had a good life, Cholo.
Comment by walter sobchak Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 5:06 pm
Truely a gentlemen. RIP good sir.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 5:11 pm
He seemed to appreciate each and every day he had since nearly dying in 2006, and he went on to do some of his best writing in the years since. His memoir is a must-read.
The last major link to Jim Hoge’s Sun-Times. We were lucky to have him so long, and we were lucky that he had Chaz to pull him through his health struggles.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 6:28 pm
Chicago, the U.S., and the World of Film has lost one of its’ truly greatest fellows. He sure made Movies his life, and given what a HUGE part of Modern Life they comprise, made his thoroughly experienced, sage REVIEWS equally huge, and more huge, with each passing year. And AS the Gold Standard of Film Critique, he became one of a kind and is virtually irreplaceable–at least others in the field will now have the Highest of all Standards to reach for in pursuing this field….May you (and Gene Siskel) truly rest in peace through Eternity in the full-time care of the Almighty One now–thanks for all of the insights, and all of the laughs along the way. The ORIGinal “Balcony,” indeed, is now “closed….”
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 6:42 pm
What a loss. RIP. Thanks for that fanastic quote Rich.
Comment by IThink Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 7:20 pm
There are very few people in their lifetime that can revolutionize one small thing. Roger Ebert revolutionized an industry, and in doing so, impoacted how America watches television, how America views movies, and especially how criticism of Art can be much more than a few words, some ink, and punctuation.
Speaking for myself, the skill or criticism of Art, specifically film, was single-handedly brought to my attention by “Siskel and Ebert”, or as the gag went, “You mean, ‘Ebert and Siskel’…” An Pulitzer Prize winner, you were never lectured on how to view film(s), you were brought into Ebert’s world, giving you a gift of looking at the medium in ways you never did, and from perspectives you hadn’t seen. I never felt as though my idea of a film was solely influenced by Roger…or Gene, but but the influence of a critical eye toward the Art was given new focus, and a clarity I can only thank those guys “in the balcony” for, and they gave it with such passion.
As for how we watched television and movies, their show was “The Tongiht Show” for movie buffs, fans, casual observers, and the poor sap looking for a good movie to take a date to on Satrurday. They had humor, they had inside jokes, “favorites” and an unabashed love of the industry.
Because of that purity .. that “The Tonight Show” of film criticism had, … the film industry loved them right back with the same unabashed love. Who criticizes a whole indusrty, and then is loved just as openly and honesly as they were? So few, it escapes to think of one as I type this. That is a powerful legacy.
Roger Ebert was also a screenwriter, writing in collaboration, and in 6 weeks, Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, considered a Cult Classic, and it gave Roger Ebert enormous credibility, but that was something Ebert never needed. The film, and the writing of the screenplay, cemented Ebert’s legacy in the industry as someone who can not only critique what he views, but wrote well enough to be celebrated for his work IN that industry. Cool stuff.
We are lucky in Illinois to call him “our own” but Roger Ebert belongs to so many. My deepest sympathy to his wife, and his family. Giants in the pure Americana of The 20th Century are slowly leaving the “stage”.
I am going to borrow a line I heard someone say today in the media, to paraphrase, “Althought the credits of Roger Ebert are playing, the screen, will never fade.”
Thank you, Mr. Ebert.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 7:27 pm
It was just yesterday that Roger wrote in the papers that he had to cut back because of health issues, but that he was happy because now he would only review the movies that he liked.
God has a hell of a sense of humor sometimes.
But no mourning here, because Roger was a brilliant and lucky man who stomped the terra and did what he loved and did it better than anyone else.
Roger was like Walter Payton to me. I grew up with both of them. I love football and the Chicago Bears, and no one did it better than Walter. I love movies, writing, and newspapers, and no one did it better than Roger.
Roger made himself THE movie critic, not with pretension or hype but insight and beautiful writing.
He could have gone to “The New Yorker” or “The New York Times” and they would have paid him a fortune. The “LA Times” or “Variety” would have made him the King of Hollywood.
But he stuck with the Sun-Times, the one who brung him to the dance. That’s Midwestern values, daddio.
It’s no exaggeration to say that Ebert kept the Sun-Times alive many times when they were almost dead. Through all the buy-and-sell ownership changes, the only thing of real value was “Ebert.” His loyalty cost him a bundle but he saved a great Chicago newspaper.
And when the regular schmucks at the paper were fixing to go on strike years ago, it was millionaire Roger at the front of the ramparts telling future-felon Lord Black of Crossharbour to stick it. Splendid behavior.
He loved Chicago, he loved newspapers, and he loved Champaign, his hometown. I’m very sad that I never went to the film festival there. I guess I though there would be more. But I always rent the overlooked movies.
When you’re a kid, you can’t always get along with your folks or siblings, but I could always sit with my old man and mother, and my brothers and sisters, and watch “At the Movies” on Channel 11 with Roger and Gene. Some of the best Saturday afternoons of my life, with my family.
As a critic, Roger was unpretentious but groundbreaking, even as a kid. He was the only one who saw that “Bonnie and Clyde” had changed the movies, forever. He was the first to spot Scorsese in “Mean Streets.” When people laughed at Clint Eastwood becoming a director, Roger saw the brilliance.
Roger’s reviews and essays are among my favorite reads, over and over again. When I watch a great old movie, I pull it up on IMDB, read the trivia and then Roger’s review. For a movie buff, it’s as good as it gets.
I’ll keep re-reading, but I’m very sad that from now on, I won’t be able to open up the Sun-Times and read what Roger has to say on movies, politics and life. He was a tough old bird who had a lot to say.
A good man gone, a great voice silenced. We’re going to miss him a lot.
If there’s any room on the granite at the state library in Springfield, they should carve “Ebert” into it along with “Hemingway”, “Terkel” and the rest. He was that great a writer.
It doesn’t take much to see that the problems of most people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. But we’ll always have Roger.
Tonight, I’m popping in “Casablanca.”
Roger, here’s looking at you, kid. Say hello to Gene, and save me a seat in the balcony.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 7:37 pm
His autobiography is terrific. He essentially serialized it on his blog, but the book as a whole is a great read about life, memory, loss, illness, love- you name it. Rest in peace, indeed.
Comment by DuPage Dave Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 8:19 pm
And now the balcony is closed……….
Comment by Old and in the Way Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 8:57 pm
–Ebert’s struggle with illness showed how strong he was, and how strong his marriage was. Would that we all could face what life hands us with such grace and determination. –
You have that right, DD.
After Roger got sick and could no longer speak, so no TV, he still wrote extraordinarily well. I could always hear his very familiar voice in my mind when reading.
I was so moved, after all his health problems, when he wrote about how he decided to forego any further reconstructive surgery.
Paraphrasing, he wrote, “I’ve had enough surgery. This is how I look. I’m going on with my life.”
Brilliant, tough and true.
And from following his trials in print and on TV, he was one lucky dude in marriage. What an angel.
Like I said, we’re going to miss him a lot.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 9:08 pm
I’ve seen dozens of great little movies because of his recommendations. I’ll sure miss opening the Sun Times to see his honest and informed take on things. He always started from a perspective of wanting to like a movie — he taught me to be a fan. Thanks, Roger, RIP.
Comment by Quizzical Thursday, Apr 4, 13 @ 10:30 pm
I met Roger in 1971 when he came to speak at ISU. Our History of Film teacher had him come to class and speak to us. He was very informal we sat in a circle and talked about films. We envied him for his job–watching movies and writing about them. Roger was about six or eight years older than us and we thought he had the dream job.
I will miss him like the rest of you. Enjoyed his reviews and corresponding with him via his blog over the past few years.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Apr 5, 13 @ 9:25 am