Veteran Film Critic Gene Shalit Dies at 100
Gene Shalit, the distinctive film critic and arts reporter for NBC’s “Today” show, has died at the age of 100. His family announced Friday to NBC News that he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.” Shalit was known for his puffy hair, handlebar mustache, and affection for puns, making him a recognizable figure in television criticism for four decades.
Gene Shalit, a prominent movie critic and arts reporter for the “Today” show, has died at 100 years old. His family announced the death Friday to NBC News, stating he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.”
Shalit joined “Today” as a contributor in 1970 and became arts editor in 1973, where he hosted his segment, “Critic’s Corner.” He departed the show in 2010, at which point he was one of the last high-profile film critics on a major network.
Beyond his unique appearance, which included puffy hair and an oversized handlebar mustache, Shalit was recognized for his wit and intelligence, according to Guy Ludwig, his producer for over 20 years. Ludwig noted that Shalit had the ability to enlighten and amuse his audience on various subjects.
Shalit played a role in shifting the balance of critical power towards television, which previously resided mainly with newspapers and magazines. This influence was evident as other network shows, such as PBS's “Sneak Previews” with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, and ABC's “Good Morning America,” which hired Joel Siegel, followed with their own film critics.
Before his television career, Shalit worked as an entertainment columnist for McCall’s magazine, became senior film critic for Look magazine in 1968, and wrote for Ladies’ Home Journal. His popularity in print led to an offer from NBC, where executives were initially surprised by his distinct appearance.
As a critic, Shalit generally maintained a middle-of-the-road approach and avoided revealing extensive plot details. His reviews included calling 1986’s “Stand By Me” “engrossing” and “Enemy at the Gates” a “vivid dramatization.” He famously described a remake of “King Kong” as a “fabularious … brilliantological humongousness of marvelosity.” Shalit also apologized for a comment about a character in “Brokeback Mountain” that drew condemnation from GLAAD.
His tenure on the “Today” show began in the year of films like “Patton” and “Love Story,” concluding with a critique of “Shrek Forever After.” Memorable moments included his descent into giggles while interviewing Carol Channing and an interaction with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, where Belushi humorously commented on Shalit’s hair.
According to Fortune, Gene Shalit was instrumental in making film criticism a television institution.
