Following an emergency operation to repair complications from a previous cancer surgery, Roger Ebert is in serious but stable condition. Ebert has had several cancer surgeries to remove tumors on his thyroid and salivary glands. This recent surgery was to remove another cancerous growth on his salivary gland, but a blood vessel burst near the site of the operation.

Ebert, 64, of course is best known for his role as The Chicago Sun-Times’ film critic. His pairing with fellow critic Gene Siskel provided the opportunity to review films with their well known “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” rating system. Siskel died in 1999, but the balcony did not close on the review show – instead Richard Roeper joined Ebert to continue critiquing films.