Chaz Ebert on Husband's Death: 'We Had a Lovely, Lovely Life Together'

Chaz Ebert issued The Following statement Thursday about the passing of her husband, Roger Ebert, a day after he celebrated 46 years as a film critic:

"I am devastated by the loss of my love, Roger my husband, my friend, my confidante and oh-so-brilliant partner of over 20 years. He fought a courageous fight. I've lost the love of my life and the world has lost a visionary and a creative and generous spirit who touched so many people all over the world. We had a lovely, lovely life together, more beautiful and Epic than a movie. It had its highs and the lows, but was always experienced with good humor, grace and a deep abiding love for each other.

"Roger was a beloved husband, stepfather to Sonia and Jay, and grandfather to Raven, Emil, Mark and Joseph. Just yesterday he was saying how his grandchildren were "the best things in my life." He was happy and radiating satisfaction over the outpouring of responses to his blog about his 46th year as a film critic. But he was also getting tired of his fight with cancer, and said if this takes him, he has lived a great and full life.

"We were getting ready to go home today for hospice care, when he looked at us, smiled, and passed away. No struggle, no pain, just a quiet, dignified transition.

"We are touched by all the kindness and the outpouring of love we've received. And I want to echo what Roger said in his last blog, thank you for going on this journey with us."

As BWW previously reported, acclaimed and legendary film critic Ebert passed away today at the age of 70 due to complications with cancer. The Chicago Sun-Times, where his career began in 1967, confirmed the news early this afternoon.

Few details are known at the moment, but Ebert took to his personal blog Tuesday night, announcing that his cancer had returned, and that he was forced to take a "a leave of presence." "I am not going away," he told readers. "My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers. ... What's more, I'll be able at last to do what I've always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review."

He concluded his final blog post with: "So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I'll see you at the movies."

Ebert had suffered a hip fracture in December which ultimately led to the new diagnosis of cancer. He was to begin radiation immediately. The Pulitzer Prize winner had endured a battle with cancer in his thyroid and salivary glands which caused facial disfigurement and the inability to speak.

Ebert is known for his film review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The Movies, all of which he co-hosted for a combined 23 years with Gene Siskel.

After Siskel's death in 1999, Ebert teamed with Richard Roeper for the television series Ebert & Roeper & the Movies, which began airing in 2000.

Photo by: Walter McBride

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