Roger Ebert

Location Description

From US Hwy 150/W. Springfield Ave, turn north at the stoplight onto S. Randolph St (at the Huntington Towers skyscraper). Proceed to the fourth cross-street, then turn left onto W. Park Ave. The Virginia Theatre will be on your left and the statue is located in front of it.

Bio

“Roger Joseph Ebert was an American film critic and journalist born on June 18, 1942, in Urbana, Illinois. He was one of the most well-known and influential film critics of his time and wrote for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 46 years.

Ebert was passionate about film from a young age and began writing about it as a student at the University of Illinois. He began writing for the Chicago Sun-Times in 1967, and his review style and writing talent quickly made him one of the most respected film critics in the country.

In 1975, Ebert teamed up with fellow critic Gene Siskel to host a weekly television show called “”Sneak Previews.”” The show, which later became “”At the Movies with Siskel and Ebert,”” was a groundbreaking program that popularized film criticism and brought it into the public eye.

Ebert was known for his lively and insightful film reviews, which were syndicated in hundreds of newspapers around the world. He was also a prolific writer, publishing numerous books and articles on film and popular culture.

In 2006, Ebert lost his ability to speak as a result of cancer, but he continued to write about film and review movies until his death on April 4, 2013. He remains one of the most respected and influential film critics of all time and is remembered for his passion for film and his dedication to the craft of film criticism.”

Monument Description

The monument features a life-size statue of Roger Ebert in his prime, sitting and giving a joyful thumbs up. Empty theater seats on both sides invite visitors to sit and express their own reviews with a thumbs up or down. The statue is made of solid bronze, so visitors wearing shorts should be prepared for a warm seat on a sunny summer day.

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