Gene Shalit, ‘TODAY’ show movie critic, dies at 100
NBC News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Gene Shalit, the longtime film critic known for his distinctive walrus mustache and colorful bowties, died peacefully at the age of 100, his family announced.
- Shalit was a fixture on NBC’s “TODAY” show for four decades, starting as a part-time contributor in 1970 and becoming a full-time movie reviewer in 1973 until his retirement in 2010.
- He gained fame for his witty, pun-filled reviews and interviews with major stars, becoming a beloved television personality known for his exuberant wordplay and unique style.
- Before television, Shalit had a prolific print journalism career, contributing to numerous magazines and newspapers, and also appeared on radio and game shows.
- Born in 1926 in New York and raised in New Jersey, Shalit began his journalism career early and graduated from the University of Illinois, later becoming a widely recognized entertainment critic and commentator.