Roger Ebert
Born 1942 · Age 83
American film critic, historian, journalist, essayist, screenwriter and author; longtime chief film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times and co-host of nationally syndicated televised film-review programs with Gene Siskel and later Richard Roeper.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Urbana, Illinois
Roger Joseph Ebert was born in Urbana, Illinois, the only child of Annabel (a bookkeeper) and Walter Harry Ebert (an electrician).
Sportswriter for The News-Gazette
At age 15 Ebert worked as a sportswriter for The News-Gazette covering Urbana High School sports.
Won Illinois HS state speech championship
Won the Illinois High School Association state speech championship in 'radio speaking'.
Founded Stymie (science-fiction fanzine)
While young he founded a science-fiction fanzine, Stymie, as part of his early writing activity.
Graduated Urbana High School
Graduated from Urbana High School; served as class president and co-editor of the high school paper The Echo.
Father's death (Walter Ebert)
His father, Walter Harry Ebert, died (reported around the time Roger began college), a personal event that influenced his early adulthood.
Published early review of La Dolce Vita
One of his first published reviews — of Fellini's La Dolce Vita — appeared in The Daily Illini while he was an undergraduate.
Received BA in Journalism, University of Illinois
Graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign with an undergraduate degree in journalism; served as editor of The Daily Illini in his senior year.
Rotary fellowship to University of Cape Town
Spent a year on a Rotary fellowship at the University of Cape Town as part of his graduate studies.
Hired by Chicago Sun-Times as reporter/feature writer
Hired by the Chicago Sun-Times as a reporter and feature writer after being referred by the Chicago Daily News editor; attended doctoral classes at University of Chicago while working.
Wrote Martin Scorsese's first published review
Reviewed Scorsese's Who's That Knocking at My Door (then I Call First) and predicted Scorsese could become 'an American Fellini.'
First Sun-Times review (Galia)
His first review for the Chicago Sun-Times was of Georges Lautner’s Galia — marking the start of his long run at the paper (1967–2013).
Appointed chief film critic, Chicago Sun-Times
After Eleanor Keane left, Ebert was given the film critic position (the newspaper wanted a young critic to cover New Wave and contemporary films).
Began adjunct lecturing at the University of Chicago
Worked as an adjunct lecturer teaching a night class on film at the Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies.
Co-wrote 'Beyond the Valley of the Dolls' screenplay
Co-wrote the Russ Meyer film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls, an early screenwriting credit that later became a cult film despite poor initial reception.
Won Pulitzer Prize for Criticism (first film critic to do so)
Ebert became the first film critic to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, a landmark recognition for film journalism.
Began televised partnership with Gene Siskel
Launched the local show Opening Soon at a Theater Near You (later Sneak Previews), beginning a nationally influential televised film-review partnership.
Sneak Previews picked up by PBS (national)
The locally produced program was picked up for national broadcast on PBS, considerably expanding Ebert's national profile. (PBS pickup described in sources; year circa late 1970s.)
Moved to commercial syndication: 'At the Movies'
Ebert and Siskel moved from PBS to commercial syndication with At the Movies With Gene Siskel & Roger Ebert, growing their audience and influence.
Reported salary of $500,000 per season (each)
By 1982 the pair were reported to earn about $500,000 each for the season, reflecting the show's commercial success.
Served on jury, Hawaii International Film Festival
Invited by Donald Richie to serve on the festival jury (credited with introducing him more deeply to Asian cinema).
Program Emmy nominations begin (period 1984–1997)
The Siskel & Ebert programs received a total of seven prime-time Emmy Award nominations across 1984–1997.
Moved show to Buena Vista Television (Siskel & Ebert & the Movies)
The duo moved the program to Buena Vista Television (Walt Disney Co) and the show became Siskel & Ebert & the Movies; reports indicate salaries doubled after Disney purchase.
Married Chaz Hammel-Smith
Ebert married Chaz (Charlie) Hammel-Smith, settling his personal life; she later became a close collaborator in his later projects.
Asked to edit anthology; began Great Movies series
W. W. Norton asked Ebert to edit an anthology (Roger Ebert's Book of Film) and in 1996 he began a biweekly series of 'great movies' essays (first on Casablanca).
Founded Overlooked Film Festival (Ebertfest)
Founded The Overlooked Film Festival in his hometown of Champaign, Illinois (later known as Ebertfest).
Gene Siskel died of brain tumor
Ebert's long-time television partner Gene Siskel died in February 1999; Ebert continued hosting with rotating co-hosts.
Interviewed President Bill Clinton at the White House
Conducted a movie-related interview with President Bill Clinton at the White House, signaling cultural prominence.
Richard Roeper named permanent co-host
Richard Roeper became permanent co-host and the show was renamed At the Movies with Ebert & Roeper.
Launched RogerEbert.com
Launched RogerEbert.com (originally underwritten by the Chicago Sun-Times) as an online archive and publishing platform.
Diagnosed with cancer (thyroid & salivary glands)
Announced diagnosis of cancer affecting the thyroid and salivary glands; this began a long struggle with cancer that affected speech and eating later.
Published The Great Movies (first volume)
Collected one hundred of his 'Great Movies' essays into the first Great Movies volume (published 2002–2005; widely cited dates vary; included here as a mid-2000s milestone).
Hollywood Walk of Fame star
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (sources vary between 2004–2005; included as mid-2000s honor).
Jaw surgery; lost ability to speak and eat normally
Underwent surgery removing a section of his lower jaw due to cancer and subsequent complications, leaving him severely disfigured and unable to speak or eat normally.
Publicly showed altered appearance; returned to public life
Posted a picture and commentary about his changed appearance prior to that year's Overlooked Film Festival; he communicated via typing and electronic devices.
Turned to blogging and web journaling
Having lost his voice, he increased his online presence with blogging and James-style web journals on RogerEbert.com and the Sun-Times site.
Ended association with 'At the Movies'
Ended his long association with At the Movies in July 2008 after the program's owners sought a new direction.
Announced plans for a new movie-review program (with Roeper)
Reported (Feb 18, 2009) that he and Richard Roeper would soon announce a new movie-review program, embracing new media distribution.
Posted screenplay 'Who Killed Bambi?' online
Posted his screenplay of the ill-fated Sex Pistols film 'Who Killed Bambi?' (also known as Anarchy in the UK) on his blog in April 2010.
Debuted synthesized/recreated speaking voice on Oprah
Using CereProc technology that recreated his pre-surgery voice from archives, he debuted the restored voice on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Published memoir 'Life Itself'
Published Life Itself: A Memoir, reflecting on his life, career, struggles with alcoholism and cancer, and relationships.
Premiere of 'Ebert Presents: At the Movies'
Final television series premiered (Ebert contributed a segment voiced by Bill Kurtis and curated the show), though it lasted one season due to funding constraints.
Posthumous reviews published
Several previously unpublished reviews were released posthumously (April–August 2013), including To the Wonder (Apr 6) and Computer Chess (July) and The Spectacular Now (Aug).
Published last 'Great Movies' essay
Published his final Great Movies essay (on The Ballad of Narayama) on March 7, 2013.
Last review published during lifetime (The Host)
His last review published during his lifetime was for The Host on March 27, 2013.
Last blog entry: 'leave of presence'
Posted a final blog entry saying his cancer had returned and he was taking 'a leave of presence' but would continue selected writing.
Died in Chicago
Died April 4, 2013 in Chicago after a long battle with cancer; left a substantial legacy in film criticism and public culture.
Documentary 'Life Itself' released
Adaptation of his autobiography Life Itself was released as a documentary to positive reviews, expanding his posthumous cultural presence.
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