Roger Ebert: The Dean of American Film Critics

A Life of Cinematic Passion and Critical Acclaim

Roger Ebert, the renowned American film critic, journalist, and screenwriter, is best known for his influential and accessible film reviews that spanned over four decades. As the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013, Ebert was the most prominent and influential film critic of his time, making sophisticated cinematic and analytical ideas more accessible to mainstream audiences.

Early Life and Career

Born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois, Ebert grew up in a Catholic family and developed a passion for writing and film at an early age. He attended the University of Illinois, where he wrote for the school newspaper, and later earned a PhD in English from the University of Chicago.

Rise to Prominence

Ebert's rise to fame began in the 1970s when he started writing film reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times. His unique writing style, which blended humor, intelligence, and populism, quickly gained him a large following. In 1975, he became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, cementing his status as a leading voice in film criticism.

Television and Film Ventures

In the 1970s, Ebert ventured into television, co-hosting the PBS show "Sneak Previews" with Gene Siskel, a fellow film critic from the Chicago Tribune. The show's success led to various incarnations, including "At the Movies" on commercial TV broadcast syndication. The duo's iconic "two thumbs up" phrase became a hallmark of their reviews, and their witty banter and disagreements made for entertaining television. Ebert also co-wrote the script for the 1970 film "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls," directed by Russ Meyer.

Impact on Film Industry

Ebert's influence on the film industry was immense. He championed independent and foreign films, introducing mainstream audiences to directors like Woody Allen, Spike Lee, Werner Herzog, and Martin Scorsese. His reviews often boosted the careers of unknown filmmakers, and his advocacy for cinematic innovation helped shape the industry's landscape.

Awards and Honors

Throughout his career, Ebert received numerous awards and honors, including:

• Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1975)
• National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Film Criticism (1977)
• Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Series (1995)
• Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (2005)
• Honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Notre Dame (2009)

Personal Life and Legacy

Ebert faced health challenges in the early 2000s, including thyroid cancer and complications from surgery that left him unable to eat, drink, or speak. Despite these setbacks, he continued to write and review films, using a prosthetic chin and communicating through a computerized voice system. Ebert died on April 4, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of cinematic passion, critical acumen, and a love for the art of storytelling.

Quotes and Memorable Sayings

Some of Ebert's most memorable quotes include:

• "I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization."
• "The movies are about the human condition. They're about us, our hopes, our dreams, our fears."
• "A movie is not about what it is about. It's about how it is about it."

Impact on Pop Culture

Ebert's influence extends beyond film criticism to popular culture as a whole. His catchphrases, like "two thumbs up," have become ingrained in our lexicon, and his reviews have been parodied and homaged in media, such as "The Simpsons" and "Saturday Night Live." His advocacy for cinematic innovation has inspired generations of filmmakers, and his legacy continues to shape the way we think about and engage with film.