Filmmakers Remember Roger Ebert
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In a testament to the level of esteem in which Roger Ebert was held in the filmmaking community, screenwriters and directors immediately took to Twitter, print, and radio to remember the critic on Thursday.
We’ve collected tributes from Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, Spike Lee, and many, many more.
Forrest Wickman
I Miss My Dear Friend Roger Ebert.Roger Was One Of The 1st Major Movie Critics To Support My Joints,Especially Malcolm X And DTRT.-R.I.P.
-- Spike Lee (@SpikeLee) April 4, 2013
A profound loss for anyone who has ever loved going to the movies. My heart goes out to Chaz and the city of Chicago. Just heartbroken.
-- Jason Reitman (@JasonReitman) April 4, 2013
Roger Ebert gave my first film, Last House on the Left, its only positive review. Everyone else reviled it, but he saw merit in it.
-- Wes Craven (@wescraven) April 4, 2013
Roger Ebert. Millions of thumbs up for you. RIP
-- Michael Moore (@MMFlint) April 4, 2013
Words fail me. Is it unusual to talk about loving a film critic? In this case, no. I truly loved Roger. And can't believe he is gone.
-- errolmorris (@errolmorris) April 5, 2013
The importance of Siskel/Ebert to independent filmmakers like myself cannot be overstated.
-- Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) April 4, 2013
Dammit! @ebertchicago died. My review: An iconic game-changer, Roger brought film criticism AND movie-loving to the mainstream. 2 Thumbs up.
-- KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 4, 2013
we lost a thoughtful writer, i remember my first review from him, pi (i got his and siskel's thumbs) it was a career highlight. #rogerebert
-- darren aronofsky (@DarrenAronofsky) April 4, 2013
R.I.P. Roger Ebert. It was a privilege to interact with you. Thank you for the support, the criticism, and the true love for the movies.
-- Diablo Cody (@diablocody) April 4, 2013
Roger Ebert was an ongoing inspiration (if not always a fan) to me and I am truly truly saddened by his loss. I will miss him.
-- David Wain (@davidwain) April 4, 2013
It's a measure of my great respect for Roger Ebert that I was so disappointed he didn't like Toy Story 3 more.
-- Lee Unkrich (@leeunkrich) April 5, 2013
RIP Roger #Ebert. We lost a passionate and broad minded force for cinema of all shapes sizes and genres. A fine courageous writer and man
-- Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 5, 2013
Goodbye Roger Ebert, we had fun. The balcony is closed.
-- Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) April 4, 2013
Lovely falling light in Los Angeles tonight and RIP Roger Ebert
-- greg mottola (@gregmottola) April 5, 2013
GOD Bless Roger Ebert. He will be missed.
-- Barry Michael Cooper (@BarryMichaelC) April 4, 2013
Very sorry to hear of the death of Roger Ebert (@ebertchicago). A wonderful writer, he LOVED movies & could express why beautifully. RIP.
-- Brad Bird (@BradBirdA113) April 5, 2013
"This is my happening and it freaks me out". Roger Ebert wrote the truly incredible Beyond The Valley Of The Dolls. He is beyond a legend.
-- edgarwright (@edgarwright) April 4, 2013
Roger Ebert.Clear-eyed dreamer, king of the written word... say.ly/bRt5wg3
-- Cameron Crowe (@CameronCrowe) April 4, 2013
Steven Spielberg:
Roger loved movies. They were his life. His reviews went far deeper than simply thumbs up or thumbs down. He wrote with passion through a real knowledge of film and film history, and in doing so, helped many movies find their audiences. Along with Gene Shalit, Joel Siegel, and of course Gene Siskel, Roger put television criticism on the map. Roger’s passing is virtually the end of an era and now the balcony is closed forever.
Christopher Nolan:
“Roger really to me has been emblematic of a wonderful everyman approach to criticism,” said Mr. Nolan. “He never became jaded… even while bringing a very thoughtful critical eye.” [Read more from Nolan at the Wall Street Journal.]
Martin Scorsese:
The death of Roger Ebert is an incalculable loss for movie culture and for film criticism. And it’s a loss for me personally. Roger was always supportive, he was always right there for me when I needed it most, when it really counted – at the very beginning, when every word of encouragement was precious; and then again, when I was at the lowest ebb of my career, there he was, just as encouraging, just as warmly supportive. There was a professional distance between us, but then I could talk to him much more freely than I could to other critics. Really, Roger was my friend. It’s that simple.
Few people I’ve known in my life loved or cared as much about movies. I know that’s what kept him going in those last years – his life-or-death passion for movies, and his wonderful wife, Chaz.
We all knew that this moment was coming, but that doesn’t make the loss any less wrenching. I’ll miss him — my dear friend, Roger Ebert.
Ebert’s friend, Werner Herzog: