The first film critic to ever win a Pulitzer Prize, Roger Ebert revolutionized how audiences engaged with cinema through his tenure at the Chicago Sun-Times. Over a career spanning four decades, he transformed film criticism from an academic exercise into an accessible, humanistic dialogue, championing both independent filmmakers and mainstream releases with a direct, conversational prose style.
Early Development and Education
Born in 1942 in Urbana, Illinois, Roger Joseph Ebert was the son of an electrician and a bookkeeper. He was raised Catholic and developed an interest in writing early, penning letters to science-fiction fanzines and working as a sportswriter at age 15. He pursued his education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a journalism degree. His academic journey included a year at the University of Cape Town on a Rotary fellowship and doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, though he eventually abandoned his PhD to focus entirely on his role at the Chicago Sun-Times.
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Ebert joined the Chicago Sun-Times in 1966 and assumed the role of film critic in 1967. Tasked with covering the emerging New Hollywood movement and international directors like Godard and Truffaut, he quickly gained prominence for his populist approach. In 1975, his body of work earned him the inaugural Pulitzer Prize for Criticism. Beyond print journalism, he became a household name through television. Collaborating with Gene Siskel on programs such as Sneak Previews, he popularized the concept of televised film review. The duo established the trademarked 'Two Thumbs Up' rating system, which influenced movie marketing for decades.
Legacy and Personal Challenges
In 2002, Ebert was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid and salivary glands, a condition that necessitated the removal of part of his lower jaw in 2006. Despite losing the ability to speak or eat normally, he remained prolific as a writer, continuing to publish reviews and essays until his death in 2013 in Chicago. His 2011 autobiography, Life Itself, documented his personal and professional trajectory, eventually serving as the basis for a 2014 documentary. His impact is preserved through the ongoing operation of RogerEbert.com and his numerous awards, including the Carl Sandburg Literary Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Fast facts
- Born: 1942, Urbana, Illinois
- Died: 2013, Chicago, Illinois
- First Pulitzer Prize for Criticism winner: 1975
- Notable TV partnership: Gene Siskel
- Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- Authored: Life Itself (2011)
- Award: Order of Lincoln (2001)
- Burial site: Graceland Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the significance of the program Ebert co-hosted with Gene Siskel?
The show, known variously as Sneak Previews and At the Movies, helped popularize televised film criticism and introduced the trademarked 'Two Thumbs Up' rating system.
Did Ebert write for the screen as well as critique films?
Yes, he was a screenwriter and notably co-wrote the 1970 film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
Achievements
- Order of Lincoln — 2001
- Worked as screenwriter, film critic and journalist
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