Chicago to Honor Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert With Life-Size Sculpture

Chicago will soon be home to a life-size bronze sculpture celebrating the legacy of film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert. The project, spearheaded by local producer Pam Kasper, aims to honor the duo who maintained a significant connection to the city throughout their careers.

Kasper, who has been working on a Siskel and Ebert documentary, was inspired to create a public tribute after seeing a statue of Ebert in Champaign, Illinois. "I realized that we have so many tributes in Chicago to people who have had such an influence — athletes, politicians. But there wasn’t anything about Roger and Gene," Kasper said. "Despite how popular and influential they became, they never left Chicago. They were on the air for 25 years nationally, and they could have left."

Siskel served as the Chicago Tribune’s primary film critic for three decades until his death in 1999, while Ebert was a critic for the Chicago Sun-Times for 46 years until his passing in 2013. Both achieved national recognition and appeared on shows like "Saturday Night Live" and "The Tonight Show" but remained based in Chicago.

The sculpture, titled "Siskel and Ebert: Two Thumbs Up," is being created by Illinois artist Preston Jackson. It will depict Siskel and Ebert side-by-side, each giving a thumbs-up gesture, a nod to their well-known movie rating system. Two metal theater seats will be placed in front of the statue to encourage public interaction.

The artwork is planned for Prudential Plaza at 130 E. Randolph St., a location chosen for its visibility and proximity to where the critics once worked. Plaza ownership was receptive to the idea of hosting the public art piece.

Fundraising for the $230,000 project began Thursday, with Kasper partnering with Chicago Gateway Green for corporate sponsorships and public donations. A Hollywood memorabilia auction will also contribute to the effort, featuring items donated by studios and celebrities. Items include an apron signed by the cast of "The Bear," a Jessie doll from "Toy Story" signed by John Cusack, a "Caddyshack" lobby card signed by Bill Murray, and costume renderings from "Mad Men" signed by designer Janie Bryant. A tour of the "Brady Brunch" house and a Zoom call with "The Office" head writer Lee Eisenberg are also part of the auction.

Kasper noted that Siskel and Ebert's "Two Thumbs Up" system was a precursor to modern review aggregators like Rotten Tomatoes and Letterboxd. She hopes the statue will remind people of their emphasis on spirited debate, mutual respect, and active listening.

The sculpture is expected to be completed by 2028. Those interested in supporting the project or participating in the auction can visit the statue's website. The families of both Siskel and Ebert have expressed their support for the initiative.