American writer and film critic (born 1959)
Richard E. Roeper
(born October 17, 1959)
[1]
is an American
columnist
and
film critic
for the
Chicago Sun-Times
. He co-hosted the television series
At the Movies
with
Roger Ebert
from 2000 to 2008, serving as the late
Gene Siskel
's successor.
[2]
[3]
From 2010 to 2014, he co-hosted
The Roe and Roeper Show
with
Roe Conn
on WLS-AM.
[4]
From October 2015 to October 2017, Roeper served as the host of the
FOX 32
morning show
Good Day Chicago.
[5]
Early life
[
edit
]
Roeper was born in
Chicago, Illinois
. He grew up in south suburban
Dolton, Illinois
and attended
Thornridge High School
before graduating from
Illinois State University
in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. While still a student at the university, he auditioned for the movie review program
Sneak Previews
when
Gene Siskel
and
Roger Ebert
(his future co-host on
At the Movies
) left the program, for which he was turned down.
[6]
Career
[
edit
]
Roeper began working as a columnist for the
Chicago Sun-Times
in 1986.
[7]
The topics of his columns ranged from
politics
to
media
to
entertainment
. He has been voted the best columnist in Illinois by the
Associated Press
on numerous occasions.
He has also written seven books on topics ranging from movies to
urban legends
to
conspiracy theories
to the
Chicago White Sox
. In 2009, Roeper appeared on
Howard Stern's show
and said he had written a book on gambling, entitled
Bet the House
,
[8]
which was released in the first quarter of 2010.
Roeper was a radio host on
WLS
AM 890 in Chicago. He also hosted shows on
WLUP-FM
,
WLS-FM
, and
WMVP-AM
in Chicago.In the early 2000s, he was the film critic for
CBS
in Chicago for three years.
His columns have been syndicated by
The New York Times
to worldwide publications. Roeper has written for a number of magazines, including
Esquire
,
Spy
,
TV Guide
,
Playboy
,
Maxim
, and
Entertainment Weekly
. In 2001, he was named one of
People
magazine's most eligible bachelors.
[9]
Roeper was a frequent guest on
The Tonight Show
,
Live with Regis and Kelly
,
The O'Reilly Factor
, and countless other national programs. He also hosted
Starz Inside
, a monthly documentary series that aired on the
Starz
network. Roeper appeared on the first episode of the fifth season of
Entourage
, where he reviewed a fake movie titled
Medellin
with
Michael Phillips
on
At the Movies
.
[10]
In April 2008, Roeper was the central figure on an episode of
Top Chef
, where contestants served up movie-themed dishes to Roeper and his friends (including
Aisha Tyler
).
[11]
In February 2009, Roeper launched his website, which features movie reviews, blog entries, photos, and
Twitter
posts. In December 2009, he launched a video section that featured on-camera reviews of movies.
[12]
The video segments were originally produced in partnership with the Starz premium cable channel.
[12]
Roeper announced that the reviews would appear first on his site, then on the Starz channel.
[12]
In December 2009, it was reported that Roeper had signed with
ReelzChannel
to be a regular contributor.
[13]
Beginning in December 2010, Roeper began producing video reviews for ReelzChannel. He stopped reviewing movies for ReelzChannel in February 2015; his final review was for the
Jude Law
disaster film
Black Sea
.
From April 12, 2010, to October 7, 2014, he co-hosted
The Roe & Roeper Show
with
Roe Conn
on Chicago's
WLS 890
radio station from 2-6 pm CST.
[4]
In October 2015, Roeper joined the cast of the
Fox Chicago
morning TV show
Good Day Chicago
.
[14]
He signed off from that morning TV show on October 18, 2017.
[5]
Roeper was suspended from the
Sun-Times
on January 29, 2018, pending an investigation into allegations that he had purchased Twitter followers.
[15]
On February 2, the
Sun-Times
released a statement stating that their investigation did find that Roeper purchased over 25,000 fake followers. The paper later reinstated him, though he was required to begin using a new account on which he was explicitly disallowed from buying followers.
[1]
Film critic
[
edit
]
After
Gene Siskel
of
Siskel & Ebert
died on Saturday, February 20, 1999,
[16]
[17]
Roger Ebert
co-hosted the show with nearly 30 guest critics.
[18]
After ten appearances on the program,
[19]
Roeper was offered the opportunity to co-host the popular film review show with Ebert permanently.
[20]
The series was renamed
Ebert & Roeper and the Movies
in 2000.
[20]
The title was shortened to
Ebert & Roeper
in 2001. Before this, he conducted an interview in 1995 with
Siskel and Ebert
to commemorate the 20th anniversary of their partnership.
[7]
[21]
[22]
Beginning in August 2006, while his co-host Roger Ebert was recovering from cancer surgery,
[23]
Roeper was joined by numerous guest critics, including
Clerks
director
Kevin Smith
,
The Tonight Show
host
Jay Leno
, and singer-songwriter
John Mellencamp
. On Sunday, July 20, 2008, Roeper announced that he was leaving the show in mid-August and would return with a new show later in the year.
[24]
However, plans for a new program starring Roeper failed to materialize.
[25]
Between 2009 and late 2010, Roeper contributed video reviews to
Starz
.
[12]
In December 2010, he moved to
ReelzChannel
, where he contributed a segment titled
Richard Roeper's Reviews
every weekday at 5:00 pm ET.
[13]
Roeper remained with the network until early 2015. In early 2013, Roeper began contributing film reviews to
RogerEbert.com
. On September 12, 2013, it was announced that Roeper will replace
Roger Ebert
as the main movie critic for the
Chicago Sun-Times
after his death on April 4, 2013 at the age of 70.
[26]
In August 2014, Roeper became first-string film critic for the
Chicago Sun-Times
, where he made his debut reviewing
Guardians of the Galaxy
.
[27]
He is a member of
Chicago Film Critics Association
.
[28]
Preferences
[
edit
]
Favorites
[
edit
]
Roeper has cited
The Maltese Falcon
,
The Godfather
trilogy, and
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
as among his favorite films.
[7]
[29]
On
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
he stated that, "It has one of the highest 'repeatability' factors of any film I've ever seen...I can watch it again and again. There's also this, and I say in all sincerity:
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
is something of a suicide prevention film or, at the very least, a story about a young man trying to help his friend gain some measure of self-worth...Ferris has made it his mission to show Cameron that the whole world in front of him is passing him by and that life can be pretty sweet if you wake up and embrace it. That's the lasting message of
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
."
[30]
Roeper pays homage to the film with a license plate that says "SVFRRIS".
[31]
In a 2000 interview, he cited
Woody Allen
as a hero of filmmaking.
[7]
Among his favorite films from the 1990s are
Goodfellas
,
Pulp Fiction
,
Heat
,
Good Will Hunting
, and
Notting Hill
.
[32]
In November 2004, on a special segment of
Ebert & Roeper
, Roeper stated that his all-time favorite film about Thanksgiving is
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
.
[
citation needed
]
Best films of the year
[
edit
]
Since 2000, Roeper has compiled "best of the year" film lists which helped to provide an overview of his critical preferences.
[33]
[34]
His top choices were:
Best films of the decade
[
edit
]
Since the 2000s, Roeper complied "best of the decade" movie lists, thereby helping provide an overview of his critical preferences. Only one film for this listing was named by Roeper as the best film of the year,
The Departed
(2006).
Filmography
[
edit
]
Bibliography
[
edit
]
- He Rents, She Rents: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Women's Films and Guy Movies
, with Laurie Viera (1999)
- Hollywood Urban Legends: The Truth Behind All Those Delightfully Persistent Myths of Films, Television, and Music
(2001)
- Urban Legends: The Truth Behind All Those Deliciously Entertaining Myths That Are Absolutely, Positively, 100% Not True
(2001)
- Ten Sure Signs a Movie Character Is Doomed, and Other Surprising Movie Lists
(2003)
- Schlock Value: Hollywood At Its Worst
(2005)
- Sox and the City: A Fan's Love Affair with the White Sox from the Heartbreak of '67 to the Wizards of Oz
(2006)
- Debunked!: Conspiracy Theories, Urban Legends, and Evil Plots of the 21st Century
(2008)
- Bet the House: How I Gambled Over a Grand a Day for 30 Days on Sports, Poker, and Games of Chance
(2010)
[8]
Accolades
[
edit
]
In 1992, he was awarded the National Headliner Award as the top newspaper columnist in the country. He won two
Chicago / Midwest Emmy Awards
awards for his news commentaries on
Fox
.
[5]
On April 11, 2020, Roeper was awarded the
Roger Ebert
Award at the 2020
AAFCA
Special Achievement Award Luncheon.
[49]
References
[
edit
]
- ^
a
b
Feder, Robert (February 2, 2018).
"Sun-Times reinstates Richard Roeper after Twitter investigation"
.
Robert Feder
.
- ^
Rosenthal, Phil (January 23, 2011).
"
'Ebert Presents At the Movies' a work in progress"
.
Chicago Tribune
. Archived from
the original
on January 25, 2011.
- ^
"Ebert and Roeper leaving 'Ebert & Roeper'
"
.
CNN
. July 21, 2008. Archived from
the original
on July 24, 2008
. Retrieved
July 21,
2008
.
- ^
a
b
Feder, Robert (March 11, 2010).
"It's 'Roe & Roeper': WLS adds new afternoon star"
.
Vocalo.org
. Archived from
the original
on March 13, 2010
. Retrieved
June 24,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
c
Feder, Robert (October 18, 2017).
"Richard Roeper says goodbye to 'Good Day Chicago'
"
.
Robert Feder
.
- ^
Raftery, Brian (August 25, 2021).
"Gene and Roger: 8. Something Wonderful Is Coming to an End"
.
The Big Picture
(Podcast).
The Ringer
– via Podbay.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"A Q&A WITH RICHARD ROEPER CO-CRITIC, 'EBERT & ROEPER AND THE MOVIES'
"
. Archived from
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on August 17, 2000
. Retrieved
June 23,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
Roeper, Richard (February 15, 2010).
"Almost time to Bet the House"
. blog.richardroeper.com. Archived from
the original
on July 15, 2011
. Retrieved
April 22,
2010
.
- ^
"Cover Story: America's Top 50 Bachelors ? Vol. 56 No. 1"
.
People.com
. July 2, 2001. Archived from
the original
on April 23, 2008
. Retrieved
October 2,
2017
.
- ^
"Fantasy Island".
Entourage
. Season 5. Episode 1. September 7, 2008.
- ^
"Film Food".
Top Chef
. Season 4. Episode 4. April 2, 2008.
- ^
a
b
c
d
Feder, Robert (November 24, 2009).
"Rich gets richer: Roeper to review movies again"
.
Vocalo.org
. Archived from
the original
on November 27, 2009
. Retrieved
June 24,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
Belloni, Matthew (February 1, 2011).
"Kennedy's Miniseries Lands Home, Will Air on ReelzChannel"
.
The Hollywood Reporter
. Retrieved
December 26,
2019
.
- ^
Feder, Robert (October 19, 2015).
"Richard Roeper set to join Fox 32's 'Good Day Chicago'
"
.
Robert Feder
.
- ^
Janssen, Kim (January 29, 2018).
"Sun-Times halts Richard Roeper column to investigate allegation he bought Twitter followers"
.
Chicago Tribune
. Archived from
the original
on January 29, 2018
. Retrieved
January 29,
2018
.
- ^
McG Thomas, Robert Jr. (February 21, 1999).
"Gene Siskel, Half of a Famed Movie-Review Team, Dies at 53"
.
The New York Times
. Retrieved
June 15,
2022
.
- ^
"In Tribute: Legendary film reviewer leaves thumbprint on a nation of moviegoers"
.
The Star Press
. March 27, 1999
. Retrieved
June 15,
2022
– via Newspapers.com.
- ^
Perrone, Pierre (February 23, 1999).
"Obituary: Gene Siskel"
.
The Independent
. Retrieved
June 15,
2022
.
- ^
"AWARD-WINNING CHICAGO SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST RICHARD ROEPER STEPS INTO CRITIC'S CHAIR OPPOSITE ROGER EBERT"
. Archived from
the original
on August 17, 2000
. Retrieved
June 23,
2022
.
- ^
a
b
"Columnist to become foil to Roger Ebert"
.
Tampa Bay Times
. July 14, 2000
. Retrieved
May 18,
2022
– via Newspapers.com.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (October 15, 1995). "Thumbs Up! 20 Years in the Balcony".
Chicago Sun-Times
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (January 16, 2009).
"From the archives: When I interviewed Siskel & Ebert"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Archived from
the original
on May 17, 2013
. Retrieved
July 11,
2022
.
- ^
Ebert, Roger (August 17, 2006).
"E-mail from Roger"
.
RogerEbert.com
. Archived from
the original
on August 20, 2006
. Retrieved
June 22,
2022
.
- ^
"Roeper to part ways with 'At the Movies' after 8 years'
"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. July 21, 2008. Archived from
the original
on July 22, 2008
. Retrieved
July 21,
2008
.
- ^
Ebert, Roger (November 25, 2009).
"Time keeps on slip, slip, slippin' away"
.
Roger Ebert's Journal
. Archived from
the original
on November 30, 2009
. Retrieved
June 22,
2022
.
- ^
"Richard Roeper Replacing Roger Ebert at Sun-Times"
.
Associated Press
. September 12, 2013. Archived from
the original
on September 15, 2013
. Retrieved
June 22,
2022
– via
ABC News
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (July 30, 2014).
"
'Guardians of the Galaxy': A giddy space oddity makes the summer sunnier"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Archived from
the original
on August 4, 2014
. Retrieved
June 22,
2022
.
- ^
"Members"
.
Chicago Film Critics Association
. Retrieved
September 22,
2023
.
- ^
Ponce, Phil (April 4, 2013).
"Web Extra: Roger Ebert (July 19, 2000)"
.
Chicago Tonight
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
– via PBS.org.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (August 7, 2009).
"Ferris, Kevin, Samantha and Uncle Buck are in mourning. Saying goodbye to John Hughes"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Archived from
the original
on June 14, 2011
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (August 7, 2009).
"Save Ferris"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Archived from
the original
on March 3, 2012
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Best 90s movies | Chicago film critic Richard Roeper picks 5 decade-defining films
- ^
"Ebert and Roeper Top Ten Lists (2000-2005)"
.
Innermid.com
. May 3, 2012
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Roeper and Scott Top Ten Lists (2006-2007)"
.
Innermind.com
. May 3, 2012
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 22, 2008).
"The Best and Worst of 2008"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Retrieved
July 11,
2022
.
[
dead link
]
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 27, 2009).
"The best (and worst) of 2009"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Archived from
the original
on May 17, 2013
. Retrieved
July 11,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 18, 2014).
"BEST OF 2014: The 10 movies that moved me"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Archived from
the original
on December 19, 2014
. Retrieved
July 10,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 23, 2015).
"The Year in Review: Richard Roeper's Best Movies of 2015"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Archived from
the original
on December 25, 2015
. Retrieved
July 10,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 23, 2016).
"Richard Roeper picks the 10 best movies of 2016"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 27, 2017).
"Roeper: The 10 surprising best movies of 2017"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 26, 2018).
"Richard Roeper's best movies of 2018: an instant Chicago classic tops them all"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 24, 2019).
"Richard Roeper: The best movies of 2019"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 24, 2020).
"Richard Roeper: The best movies of 2020"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 23, 2021).
"Richard Roeper: The best movies of 2021"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 23, 2022).
"Richard Roeper's best movies of 2022"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
May 27,
2023
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 21, 2023).
"The 10 best movies of 2023: 'Oppenheimer' made with detailed care that no film can match"
.
Chicago Sun Times
. Retrieved
January 8,
2024
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 31, 2009).
"The 100 best movies of the decade"
.
blog.richardroeper.com
. Archived from
the original
on May 17, 2013
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
Roeper, Richard (December 30, 2019).
"5 movements in the 2010s that changed where movies come from and who's in them"
.
Chicago Sun-Times
. Retrieved
July 9,
2022
.
- ^
"Richard Roeper to Receive the Roger Ebert Award at AAFCA's Special Achievement Awards Luncheon"
.
RogerEbert.com
. October 30, 2019
. Retrieved
August 4,
2023
.
External links
[
edit
]