Faced with painful news I have a really bad tendency to fog my thoughts with mindless distractions. I wander off till the immediate distress stops stabbing my heart. It’s a defense mechanism that keeps me from losing it down dark corridors of sadness. Usually, words of consolation just make my misery hurt worse. I’m no good at accepting comfort and rotten at giving any. So I’m all the more grateful when I see somebody who can do both — give comfort and receive it gracefully in the face of inconceivable grief. Roger Ebert’s wife Chaz has done just that.
CHICAGO, April 4, 2013 — 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.”
Too soon, you leave us too soon dear Roger. I’m pretty sure he had the best life possible and this is not a ‘goodbye’ to all of us from his part. He will be waiting somewhere for everyone to go and see some movies with him. See you soon in a couple of decades, Mr. Ebert. Your legacy will live forever, just like the best masterpieces in film history do.
What a beautiful statement from such an amazing woman! I got my Friday email edition from RogerEbert.com and it’s got reviews from Richard Roeper. I’m still so shocked by this news. The today show had a nice tribute to roger this morning, it made me cry again.
Jim Emerson was Roger Ebert’s editor. Emerson wrote yesterday on his Scanners blog that the last review Ebert filed was for Malick’s To the Wonder.
Kind of fitting. I see Ebert going just there.
You often realize the influence people have on you when they are gone. When I read about this yesterday, I was on set – no time to reflect upon anything. This morning, now home and after some reflection, I reflected on how much Roger Ebert (and Gene Siskel) were part of my life. Their show was appointment viewing for me as was there “If We Picked the Winners…” yearly oscar show. Roger Ebert helped shape my love and excitement for film and my passion and excitement for working in the medium.
I hope that Siskel and Ebert have reunited and begun bickering with passion and excitement all over again.
Chaz – you have been such a force and formidable partner to Mr. Ebert and I want to thank you for your beautiful statement.
Moved me to tears. My prayers go to Chaz. I’m still processing that I won’t read Roger Ebert’s reviews after I come home from seeing 12 YEARS A SLAVE, GRAVITY, or THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. Will be watching AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD in his honor this weekend.
I was on a treadmill at the gym yesterday when I saw on the TV, without the volume, of Roger’s passing. For 10 seconds I only looked at his face thinking, “Oh there’s Roger writing something again.” Then I looked down and read the words. I hopped my legs on the side of the treadmill and hung my head. I was too tired and out of breath to cry but I knew the man whom I’ve follow for over a decade, opened the door to movies for me and the one man I felt just spoke to me in his commentaries was gone from this life. I didn’t grow up watching Sesame Street, maybe watched a bit of Mr. Rogers. I was pretty grown up as a kid and I was more outside than inside. Roger Ebert was my Mr. Rogers, I suppose he still is. Mr. Rogers invited you to his home and his imagination. Roger Ebert invited me to the movies. As I type this and drink my shitty coffee…it’s all finally starting to hit me now. RIP Roger, I wish you all the best, Chaz.
Like so many others, I am way sadder about this than I ever expected to be. It feels like the end of my childhood. Reading this, and all of the other tributes to Roger, are making it a little easier to face. Thanks Sasha for using your site to give Roger the tribute he deserves.
First his wife was very devoted. I saw them once at a screening and they were like little kids and each one knew their place. They sat two seats apart when they watched the movie. And they arrived so inconspicuously, no big fan fare.
And like you, I am close to Roger’s age, and everyday every week somebody in my age range dies and I get really scared. Because they are not supposed to die, they are supposed to live forever.