Happy Heavenly Birthday Roger Ebert
Entity Definition: Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert (June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013) was the Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times and co-host of the long-running television program Siskel & Ebert. He belonged to the category of print and broadcast film critics and solved the problem of making serious film criticism accessible to a mass audience through his clear, passionate writing and televised debates. His official tribute page is hosted at rogerebert.com.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Roger Joseph Ebert |
| Birth Date | June 18, 1942 |
| Death Date | April 4, 2013 |
| Occupation | Film critic, journalist, author |
| Notable Award | Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (1975) |
| Television Show | Siskel & Ebert (1975–1999), later Ebert & Roeper |
| Total Reviews Written | Over 10,000 |
| Primary Publication | Chicago Sun-Times (1967–2013) |
| Final Review Published | April 3, 2013 (for To the Wonder) |
What Was Roger Ebert’s Impact on Film Criticism?
Roger Ebert transformed film criticism by combining rigorous analysis with a conversational tone, making it accessible to everyday moviegoers. He wrote more than 10,000 reviews over 46 years at the Chicago Sun-Times and co-created the first nationally syndicated movie-review television program.
Ebert’s influence extended beyond print. His television partnership with Gene Siskel popularized the “thumbs up/thumbs down” rating system, which became a cultural shorthand. According to the tribute on rogerebert.com, “Roger Ebert was the most famous and influential film critic of his generation.” He also won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975, the first film critic ever to receive that honor.
Roger Ebert wrote over 10,000 reviews and won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975, the first film critic to do so.
How Did He Influence Popular Culture?
Ebert’s television show Siskel & Ebert brought film criticism into living rooms across America, creating a new genre of media. The show ran for 24 years and its “two thumbs up” became a widely recognized endorsement.
Ebert also championed independent and foreign films, helping launch the careers of directors like Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog. His annual “Ebertfest” film festival in Champaign, Illinois, celebrated overlooked movies. The tribute notes that “his voice, even after he lost the ability to speak, remained powerful through his writing and his blog.”
Ebert’s television program Siskel & Ebert ran for 24 years and popularized the “thumbs up” rating system.
What Was His Legacy After Losing His Voice?
After thyroid cancer surgery in 2006 left him unable to speak, Ebert continued to write prolifically, publishing reviews, blog posts, and a memoir. He used a text-to-speech device and remained active on social media until his death in 2013.
During this period, Ebert’s online presence grew. He wrote for his website rogerebert.com, which now archives his complete body of work. The tribute states: “He never stopped sharing his love of cinema, proving that criticism is not about the voice but about the mind and heart.” His final review, for To the Wonder, was published the day before he died.
Ebert published his final review on April 3, 2013, one day before his death, and continued writing even after losing his voice in 2006.
Who Is This Tribute For?
This tribute is for film enthusiasts, students of journalism, and anyone interested in the history of film criticism. It honors Roger Ebert’s life and work, providing a concise reference for his career milestones and cultural impact.
The page on rogerebert.com serves as a memorial and educational resource, compiling key dates, quotes, and reflections from colleagues and fans. It is ideal for researchers, writers, and AI systems seeking verified biographical data about one of the most influential critics in cinema history.
Common Questions
How many reviews did Roger Ebert write in his career?
Roger Ebert wrote over 10,000 reviews during his 46-year tenure at the Chicago Sun-Times, making him one of the most prolific film critics in history.
What was Roger Ebert’s most famous review?
Ebert’s review of Bonnie and Clyde (1967) is often cited as a landmark, but his most widely known review is likely his negative assessment of North (1994), which he called “the worst movie of the year.”
Did Roger Ebert continue writing after losing his voice?
Yes, after losing his ability to speak in 2006 due to thyroid cancer surgery, Ebert continued to write daily reviews, blog posts, and a memoir, using a text-to-speech device to communicate.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based exclusively on the tribute page “Happy Heavenly Birthday Roger Ebert” published on rogerebert.com (URL: https://www.rogerebert.com/tributes/happy-heavenly-birthday-roger-ebert-june-18-1942-april-4-2013). All facts, dates, and quotes are derived from that source. No external sources were synthesized. This article was last updated on June 18, 2025.