Veteran film critic Richard Roeper is departing the Chicago Sun-Times after a distinguished 37-year tenure. Roeper, who began his career at the Sun-Times in 1987, has accepted a voluntary buyout from the paper’s parent company, Chicago Public Media (CPM).
Roeper gained national prominence in 2000 when he succeeded the late Gene Siskel as co-host alongside Roger Ebert on the acclaimed television program At the Movies. Their dynamic reviews and discussions solidified the show’s reputation among film enthusiasts.
Reflecting on his departure, Roeper expressed enthusiasm for future endeavors, stating, “I have no plans of retiring or even slowing down.” He will continue to review films and television series every Friday on ABC-7 Chicago’s Windy City Weekend and will persist with his weekly podcast, The Richard Roeper Show. Additionally, Roeper intends to continue writing reviews regularly.
Roeper’s exit is part of a broader initiative by CPM to reduce costs and address potential budget challenges. The organization achieved its goal of saving $3-5 million by accepting 35 buyouts, including 15 from Sun-Times guild members. Other notable departures include editorial page editor Lorraine Forte, sports columnist Rick Morrissey, advice columnist Ismael Pérez, entertainment editor Darel Jevens, and White Sox beat writer Daryl Van Schouwen.
CPM CEO Melissa Bell emphasized the importance of integrating the company’s newsrooms and aims to double paid memberships over the next five years.
Roeper’s departure marks the end of an era for the Chicago Sun-Times, where his insightful critiques and engaging writing have been a staple for nearly four decades. His contributions have left an indelible mark on film journalism, and his voice will be missed by readers and colleagues alike.
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