Roger Ebert 1942 – 2013
Biography
Roger Ebert was born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois, where he began a lifelong journey that would reshape how audiences experience and understand cinema. Throughout his distinguished career as a film critic and author, he became one of America’s most influential voices in evaluating motion pictures, earning respect for his thoughtful analysis and passionate engagement with the art form.
Based in Chicago, Ebert dedicated himself to making film criticism accessible and meaningful to the general public. His work as a critic and writer spanned decades, during which he demonstrated an unwavering commitment to examining films with both intellectual rigor and genuine appreciation for storytelling. He believed that cinema mattered—that it could move, challenge, and illuminate the human experience.
On April 4, 2013, Roger Ebert passed away in Chicago after a battle with thyroid cancer. His legacy extends far beyond individual reviews; he fundamentally influenced how millions of people think about and discuss film. He was laid to rest at Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, a final resting place befitting a man who spent his life celebrating the power of great storytelling and artistic expression.
