In a post on his blog last night, Chicago Sun-Times film critic Roger Ebert announced that he will be taking a "leave of presence" from his position after discovering that his recent hip fracture, which has impaired his ability to walk, is actually the result of his cancer reoccuring.
"Typically, I write over 200 reviews a year for the Sun-Times that are carried by Universal Press Syndicate in some 200 newspapers. Last year, I wrote the most of my career, including 306 movie reviews, a blog post or two a week, and assorted other articles. I must slow down now, which is why I'm taking what I like to call 'a leave of presence,'" Ebert wrote. "What in the world is a leave of presence? It means I am not going away. My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me. What's more, I'll be able at last to do what I've always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review."
Ebert was first diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in early 2002. Today marks the 46th anniversary as film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.
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[via USA Today]