Roger Ebert, the longtime movie critic at the Chicago Sun Times and for decades on television, is unveiling a new facial prosthesis that will make its TV debut in his new show on Friday.

The film critic, 68, has battled thyroid cancer and had to have his part of his jaw removed. Over the past two years, he has been working to make the new chin with Dr. David J. Reisberg, a doctor specializing in facial reconstruction, according to a posting to his blog on Thursday.

Several photos are available on his journal site showing the prosthesis and him wearing it.

The prosthetic was made working with 3D photos. A reference sculpture was also made and molds were made to fit over his lower face and neck, colored to match his skin, and made so it would pass muster at a certain distance, he wrote.

I will wear the prosthesis on the new television show. That's not 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, he said.

Ebert's new movie review program, set to debut Friday evening in most U.S. markets on PBS, is entitled Ebert Presents At the Movies. The program will also highlight classic films and discuss hot-button cinema topics, according to PBS.

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