When Ebert Presents at the Movies premieres on PBS on Friday, Roger Ebert will be wearing a prosthetic chin.
After he met Dr. David J. Reisberg after the surgery to remove his thyroid cancer, they began a two-year process “that has now resulted with my coming into possession of a silicone prosthesis.”
Along with the help of other doctors, Dr. Reisberg “created a prototype prosthesis and sculpted it carefully to more closely resemble what had been there before. This device would fit over my lower face and neck and, colored to match my skin, would pass muster at a certain distance,” said Ebert.
He adds:
The prosthesis isn’t meant “to fool anyone, because my appearance is widely known. It will be used in a medium shot of me working in my office, and will be a pleasant reminder of the person I was for 64 years. Symbolically, it’s as if my illness never happened and, hey, here I still am, on the show with these new kids. When people see the ‘Roger’s Office’ segment, they’ll notice my voice more than my appearance.”
Whatever makes him comfortable! So strong.
[Image via WENN.]