Colleagues honor Roger Ebert

CHICAGO (AP) — Hollywood came to Chicago on Thursday as actors, directors, film critics and studio presidents honored late movie reviewer Roger Ebert in his hometown.

All of those who shared memories at the Chicago Theatre cheered Ebert as a champion of movies and a critic who used his influence to help filmmakers find audiences. He died last week at age 70 after a years-long battle with cancer.

“He was always supportive of artists. He always gave you a fair shake,” said Chicago native John Cusack, who appeared with his sister and actor, Joan.

Ebert worked at the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 40 years. The day before his April 4 death, he wrote in a post on his blog that he was taking a break from his schedule of almost-daily movie reviewing because the cancer had recurred.

“He was simply one of the finest men I ever met,” Chaz Ebert said of her late husband during Thursday night’s memorial.

Ebert won national fame when he teamed with fellow film critic Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune in 1975 for a television show that had them each give a thumbs-up or thumbs-down rating to the latest releases.

Joan read a letter from President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama. The Obamas remembered Ebert as a cultural leader.