Film critic Roger Ebert, 70, announced his 46th year of writing for the Chicago Sun-Times with sad news: He’s taking a “leave of presence” following a fracture that he just learned was the result of cancer.
USA Today says that he has to trim back the number of films he’s able to review because of radiation treatments, but that he is far from quitting. He’s set to launch his website, Rogerebert.com, on April 9, and his Eberfest film event will go forth as planned April 17-21 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Today says.
Meanwhile, he’s going to continue helping filmmakers Steve James, Steve Zaillian and Martin Scorsese as they create a documentary about his life, USA Today says.
“My friend and colleague Richard Roeper and other critics have stepped up and kept the newspaper and website current with reviews of all the major releases,” Mr. Ebert wrote, as reported by USA Today.
This is not Mr. Ebert’s first bout with cancer. He lost his ability to speak while battling the disease in previous years, USA Today says.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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