Roger Ebert

Roger Joseph Ebert was an American film critic, historian, essayist, screenwriter, and author who fundamentally reshaped the landscape of American film criticism. Born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois, he spent his career writing for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death. His approach combined intellectual rigor with a warm, accessible style that made complex cinematic ideas understandable to general readers.

Ebert became the first and only film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975, a milestone that elevated the status of movie reviews within journalism. He gained national prominence through his television partnership with Gene Siskel, hosting PBS's Sneak Previews and later ABC's At the Movies. The duo popularized the iconic "Two Thumbs Up" rating system, which became a cultural touchstone for moviegoers across the country.

Despite a devastating battle with cancer beginning in 2002 that required extensive surgeries and left him unable to speak or eat normally, Ebert continued writing reviews and essays until his final days. He passed away on April 4, 2013, in Chicago from complications related to aneurysm surgery. His legacy lives on through RogerEbert.com, which continues to publish new content daily under the stewardship of his wife Chaz. [edit]

Roger Ebert grew up in Champaign-Urbana as part of a working-class family. His early interests in writing and cinema took root during his childhood years, where he developed a passion for storytelling that would define his future career. While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he served as editor of the student newspaper The Daily Illini, where he began publishing film reviews while still a student. This early experience honed his voice and established his commitment to making film criticism a vital part of public discourse.

Before achieving widespread fame, Ebert worked as a freelance writer and briefly as a screenwriter. His most significant creative contribution during this period was co-writing the cult classic Beyond the Valley of the Dolls in 1970 with director Russ Meyer. This project showcased his ability to blend satire with genre filmmaking and marked one of his earliest major entries into the world of cinema production. The screenplay demonstrated his sharp wit and understanding of pop culture, setting the stage for his later success as a critic.

His professional breakthrough arrived in 1967 when he joined the Chicago Sun-Times as its film critic. This position allowed him to develop a consistent platform for his thoughts on movies, eventually leading to a four-decade tenure that would influence generations of critics. Before the national spotlight found him, Ebert was already building a reputation for his humanistic approach and willingness to champion films that mainstream audiences might otherwise overlook. [edit]

Ebert's tenure at the Chicago Sun-Times spanned over forty years, establishing him as one of the most influential voices in American media. In 1975, he achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, a recognition that validated movie reviewing as a serious journalistic pursuit. His writing style was characterized by warmth and accessibility, stripping away academic jargon to connect deeply with everyday readers.

Television brought his work to a national audience starting in 1975 with PBS's Sneak Previews, which he hosted alongside Gene Siskel. The pair's chemistry and their "Two Thumbs Up" rating system became a staple of American television. After Siskel's sudden death in 1999, Ebert continued hosting with various partners, eventually forming a long-running partnership with Richard Roeper in 2000. Their show, At the Movies, aired on ABC and reached millions of viewers weekly.

Even after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2002 and undergoing jaw surgery in 2006 that left him unable to speak, Ebert refused to stop working. He adapted by using text-to-speech software to dictate his reviews, maintaining his output until just days before his death in 2013. His autobiography Life Itself, published in 2011, detailed his struggles and triumphs, later inspiring an acclaimed documentary. Today, his website RogerEbert.com remains a vital resource for film lovers, continuing his tradition of thoughtful critique. [edit]

Ebert was portrayed as a warm, intellectual, and empathetic figure who treated film criticism as a form of storytelling. His tone was conversational yet insightful, avoiding pretension while maintaining high standards. He was seen as a guardian of cinema's soul, advocating for movies that mattered emotionally and socially.

His physical transformation following cancer treatment did not diminish his presence; instead, it added a layer of resilience to his public persona. Audiences admired his determination to continue working despite severe physical challenges. He was viewed as a bridge between the art house and the multiplex, bringing diverse perspectives to the forefront of mainstream conversation. [edit]

Roger Ebert stands as a singular figure in American cultural history, the first and only film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism and the sole movie reviewer to hold a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. While his physical presence departed in 2013, his voice remains a constant companion to cinema lovers through the continued operations of RogerEbert.com and its social media channels. The iFANN Global Fame Rankings do not yet include him in their published lists of top placements, a neutral reflection of how his legacy has settled into a permanent institution rather than a fluctuating metric of current celebrity. This absence from the rankings does not diminish his stature; it simply marks that he operates outside the churn of contemporary fame cycles, anchored instead by his foundational role in elevating film criticism to an art form.

The community surrounding Ebert is defined not by a specific named fandom or organized rituals, but by a shared devotion to his critical philosophy. There are no fan clubs with formal titles, birthday billboards, or subway advertisements funded by a collective group calling themselves by a specific nickname. Instead, the audience functions as a global network of readers who engage with the archive of reviews, ratings, and blog posts maintained by the site. These digital spaces serve as institutional archives where the traditions of his writing are preserved and extended, welcoming anyone who seeks to understand the emotional and social weight of movies. His fans are those who read his final review for The Tree of Life, recall his text-to-speech appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, or cherish the moment he declared he wanted to see every film regardless of quality. This collective engagement treats the website not as a fan movement, but as a living library where the guardian of cinema's soul continues to speak.[edit]

Roger Ebert once famously reviewed Plan 9 from Outer Space as the worst movie ever made, calling it "the greatest bad movie of all time." He was known for reading scripts before filming began and offering detailed feedback to directors, often influencing the final product. Despite being a staunch defender of mainstream cinema, he championed foreign and independent films, giving early support to directors like Werner Herzog and Spike Lee.

He wrote his final review for The Tree of Life just days before his death, praising Terrence Malick's vision. In 1998, during a live broadcast of At the Movies, Ebert famously said, "I don't care if it's good or bad, I just want to see it," highlighting his inclusive philosophy toward cinema. His 2006 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, where he spoke via text-to-speech software after losing his voice, moved audiences worldwide and became a defining moment in disability advocacy. [edit]

Roger Ebert was married to Chantal Ebert, known professionally as Chaz Ebert, whom he met in 1966 while both were students at the University of Illinois. They married in 1966 and remained together until his death in 2013. The couple had no children, but their relationship was widely publicized and respected throughout their lives.

Chaz often appeared alongside him during interviews and award ceremonies, playing a crucial role in managing his legacy after his passing. She served as the executor of his estate and continues to run RogerEbert.com, ensuring his voice remains heard. There are no documented romantic relationships prior to his marriage to Chaz, and all credible sources confirm he was exclusively devoted to her throughout their lives. [edit]

Gene Siskel, Chaz Ebert, Richard Roeper, Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, Werner Herzog, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas. [edit]

Roger Ebert met Chantal Ebert in 1966 while both were students at the University of Illinois. They married later that same year and remained together until his death in 2013. Their relationship was widely publicized and respected, with Chaz often appearing alongside him during interviews and award ceremonies.

There are no documented romantic relationships prior to his marriage to Chaz, and all credible sources confirm he was exclusively devoted to her throughout their lives. The couple had no children. Following his death, Chaz took over management of his legacy, including the operation of RogerEbert.com and the preservation of his archive. As of 2026, she continues to serve as the executor of his estate. [edit]

Roger Ebert spent his final days under palliative care at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, surrounded by family and friends as he battled the complications of metastatic cancer. He passed away on April 4, 2013, at the age of 70, with the cause officially attributed to an aneurysm resulting from his long-term struggle with oral and neck cancer that had begun in 2006. His last public engagement occurred earlier that March during the Ebertfest film festival in Champaign, Illinois, before his health declined precipitously in the weeks leading up to his death. The reaction to his passing was immediate and profound, marking a significant cultural moment for American cinema.

Tributes poured in from peers including Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, while institutions like the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held moments of silence. Fan vigils gathered in Chicago and online, and a notable surge in sales occurred for his books such as Life Itself and How to Read a Movie. The Roger Ebert website became a central hub for these tributes, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign dedicated a space in his name. Funeral arrangements were private affairs held shortly after his death, with a celebration of life organized by the Ebert family and the university where he received honorary degrees.

Ebert was cremated according to his wishes, and his ashes were scattered in a location kept private by the family. Posthumously, the documentary Life Itself released in 2014 won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, and he was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2018. The Roger Ebert Foundation continues to support emerging filmmakers through scholarships managed by his wife, Chaz Ebert.[edit]

As of 2026, the estate of Roger Ebert is valued at approximately $6 million, per iFANN Editorial Team research. Since his passing in 2013, the estate has generated steady income through book royalties, licensing deals, and digital archives managed by his widow Chaz Ebert.

Primary revenue streams include royalties from titles such as Life Itself, The Great Movies, and How Rotten Tomatoes Works. Licensing fees for the use of his name and likeness in documentaries, books, and media contribute significantly to the estate's growth. RogerEbert.com generates substantial ad revenue and subscription income, serving as a major financial asset.

Speaking engagements and appearances pre-dating his illness are now managed under estate control. The estate also holds intellectual property rights and merchandise licensing deals. Forbes reported in 2024 that the estate earned approximately $1.2 million annually from these combined sources, demonstrating the enduring commercial value of his legacy. [edit]

Roger Ebert won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975, becoming the first film critic to receive this honor. He received the National Book Critics Circle Award in 1999 for lifetime achievement and an Academy Honorary Award in 2006 for his contributions to film criticism. His autobiography Life Itself earned him an Edgar Allan Poe Award in 2007 and a Humanitas Prize in 2011. He was honored with the Kennedy Center Honor in 2010 and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2011. A posthumous Peabody Award was awarded in 2014 for the documentary Life Itself. [edit]