Film World Loses Roger Ebert
1 day ago
Roger Ebert became the first film critic to win the prestigious journalism Pulitzer Prize award.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic who famously gave movies either a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down has died at the age of 70.
On Thursday, the Chicago Sun-Times, where he worked for many years, broke the news that Roger Ebert lost his battle to cancer at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the cancer had returned to Ebert’s body and as a result, he would step down from writing reviews.
The cancer caused Ebert to loose his jaw and the ability to speak, eat and drink. Yet, he continued to write reviews for the Chicago Sun-Times.
Elbert was also known for hosting movie review television shows with Richard Roeper and the late Gene Siskel.
President Barack Obama expressed his condolences in a statement Thursday afternoon:
“For a generation of Americans - and especially Chicagoans - Roger was the movies. When he didn't like a film, he was honest; when he did, he was effusive - capturing the unique power of the movies to take us somewhere magical,” said the President, adding “Even amidst his own battles with cancer, Roger was as productive as he was resilient - continuing to share his passion and perspective with the world. The movies won't be the same without Roger, and our thoughts and prayers are with Chaz and the rest of the Ebert family.”
In 1975, Ebert became the first film critic to win the prestigious journalism Pulitzer Prize award. He was also the first film critic to have a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.
He is survived by his wife, Chaz.
Photo Credit: Yahoo