Today, legendary film critic and icon Roger Ebert died at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer. On a personal level, this is deeply depressing. I may have read more total words written by Roger Ebert than any other writer in history. The man’s writings on movies, film theory, politics, religion, and more are some fo the most insightful and most beautifully articulated pieces I’ve ever read.
And for the world of film, the loss needs no further explanation.
Check out this TED talk from 2011, in which Ebert discusses the loss of his voice. It’s incredible stuff.
Ebert’s last written words were these, published in an earlier essay about taking a “leave of presence” due to returning health problems.
“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.”
Can’t do much better than that.