Sculpture Depicting Roger Ebert Unveiled
A life-sized bronze sculpture of Roger Ebert was unveiled Thursday outside the Virginia Theater in Champaign.
The artist who designed the statue of the late movie critic sitting between two empty theater seats says the piece took six months to complete.
Rick Harney said he talked with Roger’s widow, Chaz, throughout the project and did his best to humanize Ebert.
“He worked hard,” Harney said. “He fell in love. He got sick. Those are things that everyone can relate to. I tried to make it so he didn’t look to statuesque. I just tried to see him like a regular guy.”
Chaz Ebert said her husband would have felt honored that the statue was built, but embarrassed because he was modest.
The sculpture will remain outside the Virginia Theater during this year's EbertFest, which ends Sunday. Those who commissioned it hope to have it permanently installed this summer.
Ebert, a longtime Chicago Sun-Times critic and Urbana native, died last April.
Links
- Roger Ebert, Second Annual Overlooked Film Festival
- Interview with Roger Ebert
- Family, Friends Recall Ebert’s Spirit
- Life Itself: Director Steve James and Chaz Ebert on the new documentary about Roger Ebert
- Sculptor: Ebert Statue In ‘Home Stretch’
- Full Lineup Announced For ‘Ebertfest’
- Filmmaker Spike Lee To Attend Ebertfest
- Filmmaker Stone, Comedian Oswalt Slated For Ebertfest
- Ebert To Be Honored In U of I Ceremonies In Chicago
- U Of I Honors Ebert With Lifetime Journalism Award
- Ebert Biopic Confirmed For 16th ‘Ebertfest’, Interview With Director James
- Chicago Film Fest Dedicates Opening Night To Ebert
- Where was Roger Ebert at 25?
- Fundraiser For Ebert Sculpture Underway
- Remembering Roger Ebert
- Film Critic Roger Ebert Dies
- C-U’s Native Film Critic Turns 70: Ebert’s Early Life