Roger Ebert: A remembrance

The legendary film critic leaves behind a remarkable legacy as both a writer and a human being

Roger Ebert gives a thumbs-up after receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood in 2005.
(Image credit: REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni MA/PN)

On Thursday afternoon, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that legendary film critic Roger Ebert had passed away at the age of 70 after an 11-year battle with papillary thyroid cancer. The news comes less than two days after Ebert announced that he planned to take what he called "a leave of presence" from film criticism, which meant that he would do what he said he had "always fantasized about doing": Reviewing only the movies that he wanted to review.

If only we could have him review everything, forever. The scope and depth of Roger Ebert's influence in the field of film criticism cannot be overstated. He inspired countless film lovers from multiple generations — including the one writing this tribute — to think critically about film for the first time. He also remained an honest, reliable arbiter for the entirety of a remarkable career that spanned nearly 50 years at the Chicago Sun-Times.

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Scott Meslow

Scott Meslow is the entertainment editor for TheWeek.com. He has written about film and television at publications including The Atlantic, POLITICO Magazine, and Vulture.