Thumbs up for Roger Ebert after latest bout of surgery, lawyer reports

Last Updated: Friday, January 25, 2008 | 3:16 PM ET

CBC News

Venerable film critic Roger Ebert is recovering after another bout of surgery, his lawyer said on Friday.

The 65-year-old Chicago Sun-Times critic had surgery in Houston on Thursday to address complications from previous operations, lawyer Eliot Ephraim said.

Famed film critic Roger Ebert, seen here at his home office in April 2007, is recovering after another bout of surgery.
(Dom Najolia/Chicago Sun-Times/Associated Press)

"The surgery went well, and the Eberts look forward to giving you more good news about Roger's recovery in the days to come," Ephraim said.

"Chaz and Roger Ebert are grateful to everyone for the continued prayers and concern."

No further details were released.

Over the past few years, Ebert has undergone a series of cancer surgeries, most recently in June 2006, when doctors removed a growth on the his salivary gland as well as part of his right jaw.

Two weeks later, emergency surgery was required after a blood vessel burst near the site of the earlier operation.

A tracheostomy, which opens an airway through an incision in an individual's windpipe, left Ebert unable to speak. He has previously said this would be remedied by further surgery.

Despite his ongoing medical treatments, Ebert — the first arts critic to be honoured with the Pulitzer Prize for criticism — had been continuing his work, including attending major events like the Toronto International Film Festival and penning reviews for the Sun-Times, where he has been the film critic for more than 40 years.