BREAKING NEWS: Film Critic Roger Ebert Dead From Cancer At 70

Awful news to report today in the world of film, as legendary critic Roger Ebert has passed away after a long battle with cancer.

The news came just days after Ebert revealed that his cancer had yet again returned, and he would be taking a “leave of presence” from his writing duties at the Chicago Sun Times.  The creator of the “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down” ratings system was diagnosed with thyroid and salivary cancer in 2002. Four years later, doctors removed part of his lower jaw, preventing him from speaking and eating.  But that never stopped Ebert from critiquing the world of film that he loved so much.

Aside from writing movie critiques for the Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years, Ebert was also the host of “At The Movies” from the early 80s until 2006, first with fellow critic Gene Siskel (until his death in 1999), and then Richard Roeper.

In his final blog entry written earlier this week, Ebert addressed his illness and hiatus, leaving his fans with one last beautiful notion and goodbye:

“It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.”

“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 is survived by his wife, step-daughter and two step-grandchildren.  He was 70 years old.