Roger Ebert: From Film Critic to Pop Culture Icon

By Amber James Posted Feb 17th 2010 12:45PM

In a new interview with Esquire magazine, famed movie critic Roger Ebert discusses what his life is like now, since surgeries stripped him of his lower jaw and the ability to speak and eat. The touching interview recounts Ebert's days, which are regimented as his wife Chaz takes care of him, but one thing is for sure: Ebert does not want to be pitied. He is striving to keep publishing his legendary movie reviews and keep the film industry on its toes.

PopEater takes a quick look at the critic's rise to a pop culture icon and how he's continuing to influence the world with his words. >>

Ebert is a cinematic icon whose film reviews and reputation have become legendary. Ebert has held the film industry to a high standard, and it's difficult to imagine modern movies without considering his opinion. There's no question, he has the ability to make or break a blockbuster. As part of the once dynamic duo of Siskel and Ebert, he still holds his own today (despite the loss of Gene Siskel, who died 11 years ago from brain cancer.)

While not everyone has to agree with his reviews (four stars for 'Me and Orson Welles'?), his cinematic critiques keep us talking. Examining each film, Ebert is a recognizable name who's reputation precedes him.

Even A.O. Scott, a NY Times movie critic and co-host of 'At The Movies,' admits Ebert embodies our image of what a movie critic should be. "Anyone who is even slightly interested in movies comes across Roger... What makes him stand out is his ability to turn his technical knowledge of film and make it accessible and clear to the public," Scott tells PopEater. "He is one of the best daily newspaper critics, and it's because he can convey his thoughts and judgments about movies effortlessly with knowledge to back it up."

Ebert's reviews have been syndicated to more than 200 newspapers worldwide. Ebert began his career as a critic in 1967, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times. By 1975, Ebert and Siskel (who worked at the Chicago Tribune) began co-hosting a weekly film review television show, 'Sneak Previews,' which was locally produced in Chicago. The show was picked up by PBS in 1978 for national distribution and was eventually syndicated into what most people know the critic for: 'At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert.' (See more famous footage at URLesque.)

Ebert's reviews have gained him worldwide recognition, and in 1975, he became the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. The movie reviewer was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame -- making him the first professional film critic to receive the honor.

The critic was diagnosed with a cancerous thyroid in 2002, but recovered quickly from the surgery. However, the cancer came out of remission in 2003 -- this time in his salivary gland. In December of that year, he underwent a four-week follow-up course of radiation, which altered his voice slightly. Ebert underwent further surgery on June 16, 2006, to remove cancer near his right jaw, which included removing a section of jaw bone. On July 1, Ebert was hospitalized again after his carotid artery burst. As he recovered from several rigorous and invasive surgeries, Ebert had a tracheotomy done on his neck to reduce the effort of breathing while he recovered. At this point, he's lost the ability to talk. Now he eats through a tube and speaks through a computer program or writes notes to communicate.

Despite losing his voice and part of his jaw to cancer four years ago, Ebert refuses to be silenced. He continues to write both his online blog and regular reviews column. Proving the true power of the pen, Ebert won't let a setback keep him from giving the public the reviews they look for each week. "It is saving me," he told Esquire.

Scott admits Ebert's reviews have changed, reaching a "freer, richer and more personal" level that still manages to connect with audiences. Ebert even tweets to his 68,000+ followers on Twitter to talk about everything from the Olympics to iPhone apps and, of course, his movie reviews.

While some people may have disappeared from the public eye after such a setback, Ebert is refusing to let the public feel sorry for him. "I am still cancer-free, and not ready to think about more surgery at this time. I should be content with the abundance I have," he wrote on his Web site on April 1, 2008.

Tags: Roger Ebert

Comments

(89)

Friday 19 February

By Joaniecu

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I don't remember reading nything about her having cancer.....or that it is contagious you moron!

By dup

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I find it very strange both men not only got cancer but got 2 rare cancers.Something is a miss about that.

By Dixie

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Siskel's college roommate died of a brain tumor a few years later. (Another great Chicago news guy.)I'm assamed I can't remember his name.

By Erica

Tim Weigel was Siskel's roommate.....

By vixen

It makes you wonder what's worse: dying sooner from untreated cancer, or dying the death of a thousand cuts.

By Paul

Ebert is a class act & has always been my favorite film reviewer. Many times have I been engaged by a movie, read his review of it, and thought, 'He gets it.' Refreshing to see this write-up and knowing none of this world's ills has stifled his spirit!

By hijacks

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I'm sorry about his cancer and his inability to speak...
but since he doesn't want us to pity him...then ok!!!
I never cared for him....his critiques mean jacksquat!!!
And he is a liberal moron!!!

By miffed

now say; Thank you, constitution.

By brrrrk

Some people can raise above their baser nature and some people can't.

By perry161492

sound like true conservative/republican don't give a s*** about no one. what did he do to you.

By mintrubble71

hijacks= jack*ss. You should be so lucky as to have a tenth of the grace, dignity and intelligence of Roger Ebert.

By Jayne

Why do you suppose AOL found an article entitled "Roger Ebert to Rush Limbaugh - You Should Be Horsewhipped" to be "related" to this story of his cancer survival? How is that a "related article?" Roger Ebert is definitely liberal but of all the things he's written over the years the one article they choose to highlight (after you read with deep sympathy what he's gone through) is THAT one. I'd say the editors at AOL are the liberal morons forever pushing their point-of-view even when it's not relevant.

By mike

hi,,,well said, i can never figure out people who seem to have a desire/need/ to only say things that hurt no feelings, you do that your living a lie, but for some reason that makes them feel better lol

By Johnny

Anyone that would speak ill, of someone diying of cancer is a uncaring psycho, liberal or conservative.. you need to have a talk with"Jesus " Jacko

Monday 01 March

By Will

Your a ass. You may not agree with Ebert's views, but don't bash him. He is a brave and good man.

By joan

Surely, Mr.Ebert is a very brave man, to undergo so many disfiguring surgeries in an attempt to cure his cancer. I wish him well in the future. So very brave and determined.

By Sarah

Sorry to read about the cancer and the treatments. My father also had similiar cancer. Multi operations and feeding tubes.
his artery also burst and he was saved by the doctors finger.
It is amazing my dad lived for 17 years with a good amount of quality, he never gave up driving for 12 years. Good luck from someone who understands, and best wishes to your wife.

By Connie Szerszen

I will always remember Roger's sweet congratulatory note when I became America's first female rock jock at WIND. And Roger and Gene were both very kind and fun when we met at the WTTW 11 auctions in Chicago. Even with the sadness of suffering, we should be thankful to be blessed with such great talents. Roger is an inspiration to all of us to do our best to carry on with our mission in life. I still have Roger's note -- and mentioned it in my book, "Top Rock Girly Jock" -- I was so impressed that he liked my work. Congrats to you, Roger! You're not only a pop culture icon -- you're a pop culture HERO!
Connie Szerszen -- your --
"Top Rock Girly Jock"

By Bubby

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Nothing like a little self promotion, eh?

By Angela

He is really quite a strong man. I admire him for his determination
and willingness not to accept any limitations the cancer and
operations has forced on him. You go Roger!!!

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