Roger Ebert

Date of Birth: June 18, 1942

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: April 4, 2013

Biography

Roger Ebert was an acclaimed American film critic, historian, journalist, screenwriter, and author. Born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois, Ebert became one of the most influential film critics of his time. He began his career as a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967, a position he held until his death in 2013. Ebert’s reviews were known for their clarity, wit, and insight, and he became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 1975. In addition to his written work, he co-hosted the television programs “Sneak Previews,” “At the Movies,” and “Siskel & Ebert & the Movies” with Gene Siskel, and later with Richard Roeper. His “thumbs up, thumbs down” rating system became iconic. Ebert also authored numerous books on film and his own life, including his memoir “Life Itself,” which was later adapted into a documentary. He continued to work and publish reviews even after losing his ability to speak due to complications from thyroid cancer surgery. Ebert passed away on April 4, 2013, but his legacy in film criticism continues to inspire and influence.

5 Interesting Facts about Roger Ebert

1. Roger Ebert was the first film critic to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2. He coined the now-famous phrase “Two thumbs up” along with his TV co-host Gene Siskel.

3. Ebert wrote the screenplay for the 1970 cult film “Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.”

4. Despite losing his ability to speak, Ebert continued to write reviews using a text-to-speech device.

5. Ebert’s memoir, “Life Itself,” was adapted into a critically acclaimed documentary directed by Steve James.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Roger Ebert

1. “No good movie is too long and no bad movie is short enough.”

2. “Your intellect may be confused, but your emotions will never lie to you.”

3. “We live in a box of space and time. Movies are the windows in its walls.”

4. “It’s not what a movie is about, it’s how it is about it.”

5. “For me, the movies are like a machine that generates empathy.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

The highest net worth achieved by Roger Ebert was estimated to be around $9 million.

Children

Roger Ebert did not have biological children, but he was a loving stepfather to the two children of his wife, Chaz Hammelsmith Ebert, from her previous marriage.