Iconic ‘Today’ Movie Critic Gene Shalit Dies at 100

Legendary movie critic Gene Shalit died on Friday, June 12, at the age of 100. Shalit’s family told NBC News that he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.” 

The native New Yorker was born on March 25, 1926. He moved to Newark, New Jersey, and, in 1932, to Morristown, New Jersey. Shalit began his decades-long career in journalism in Morristown, founding the grammar school’s first newspaper. He later wrote for the high school’s humor column. But that wasn’t his last stint in comedy. While attending the University of Illinois, the would-be future movie critic was the sports editor and humor columnist for The Daily Illini. 

Known for his iconic mustache and colorful bow ties, Shalit joined the Today Show as a part-time contributor in 1970. By 1973, he became a show staple, transitioning into a full-time on-air role. Prior to Today, Shalit was the senior film critic for Look Magazine and wrote the ‘What’s Happening’ page for Ladies Home Journal. Along with reviewing blockbusters on Today’s ‘Critic’s Corner,’ he also contributed articles to top publications, including TV Guide, Glamour, The New York Times, and McCall’s.

Even though Shalit was well-known as the ‘punny’ critic whose Today career spanned decades, he was also an accomplished musician. The bassoonist performed in Lincoln Center and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Boston’s Symphony Hall and Tanglewood.

Shalit retired from Today in 2010 at the age of 85, after over 40 years on the air. In his usual candor, Shalit said of his retirement (via a statement released by his publicist), “It’s enough already.” 

TheToday family celebrated Shalit’s 100th birthday last March with a mini-retrospective of his time on the show.Al Rokersaid, “Gene, a prominent presence here at Today for 41 years…He reviewed films, plays, books, so much more.” Also noting, “Gene could pull out from people so much that they would, to the point where Gene actually lost it, almost…Even Sophia Loren couldn’t resist putting her hands into Gene’s hair, you know? I mean just a legend.”

The iconic film reviewer was married to Nancy Lewis from 1950 until her death from cancer in 1978. They shared six children together: Willa, Amanda, Emily, Peter, Nevin, and Andrew. Daughter Emily passed away from cancer in 2012. Shalit is also survived by his five grandchildren.