Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert to get life-size bronze tribute near Chicago’s Millennium Park
The new life‑size bronze sculpture, titled Siskel & Ebert: Two Thumbs Up, will take its place on the public plaza of the One Two Pru complex just steps from Millennium Park. The work celebrates the iconic Chicago film critics whose thumbs‑up and thumbs‑down verdicts became part of the national conversation about movies.
Designed by Preston Jackson, professor emeritus of sculpture at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the six‑foot‑five piece captures the duo seated in their familiar theater chairs, poised for discussion. Jackson’s history of public commissions—ranging from tributes to Richard Pryor and Ernie Banks—is evident in the sculpture’s sturdy yet approachable presence.
A distinctive feature of the installation is its interactivity: visitors can sit beside the critics and snap selfies, echoing the informal, conversational tone that defined the pair’s television shows. The bronze’s patina invites close inspection, while the surrounding plaza encourages casual gathering.
Funding for the project blends corporate support from Wanxiang America Real Estate Group with a public fundraising drive led by Chicago Gateway Green. A Hollywood memorabilia auction, featuring items such as a signed Caddyshack script and a crew jacket from Ghostbusters II, adds a cinematic flair to the financial effort.
Beyond the bronze, the tribute underscores the lasting impact of Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, whose partnership reshaped movie criticism for a generation. Their legacy, rooted in Chicago’s cultural fabric, now enjoys a permanent, tactile reminder for both locals and visitors alike.