Gene Shalit, Legendary 'Today' Show Movie Critic, Dies at 100
Gene Shalit, the movie critic and arts reporter whose four-decade tenure on NBC's "Today" show made him one of the most recognizable faces in American journalism, has died at the age of 100. His family announced the death Friday to NBC News, saying in a statement that he "passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life," as reported by both The Guardian and the Jerusalem Post.
Shalit joined "Today" as a contributor in 1970 and became its arts editor in 1973, later settling into his signature segment, "Critic's Corner." He remained with the show until 2010, when he retired at age 84, reportedly quipping, "It's enough already." During his time on air, he interviewed countless celebrities and reviewed films, books, and other cultural offerings, becoming a fixture of morning television.
Known for his puffy hair, oversized handlebar mustache, and an unabashed love of groan-inducing puns, Shalit was as memorable for his appearance as for his reviews. He often crafted reviews built around wordplay, such as calling the Coen brothers' "Fargo" a film to "go - don't forego" and describing "The Silence of the Lambs" as "all wool and a yard wide, but it makes a terrific yarn." For the 2005 remake of "King Kong," he coined the terms "fabularious" and "a brilliantological humongousness of marvelosity," according to The Guardian.
A Career That Bridged Print and Television
Before his television career, Shalit's love of wordplay was already evident. His college column at the University of Illinois was titled "What Shalit Be," as noted in The Guardian's obituary. He began his professional career as an entertainment columnist for McCall's magazine, later becoming senior film critic for Look magazine in 1968 and writing for Ladies' Home Journal. According to The Guardian, his popularity in print led to an offer from NBC, even though executives had never seen him.
Guy Ludwig, Shalit's producer for more than 20 years, recounted in an essay how NBC executives, having only read Shalit's work, were shocked when he walked into their office. "Mr. Shalit, have you ever thought of radio?" one executive reportedly asked. Despite initial concerns about how the public would react to someone who looked so distinctive, Shalit's on-air persona quickly won over audiences.
Impact on Film Criticism
The Guardian reports that Shalit was "instrumental in changing the balance of critical power in America," as The Plain Dealer wrote in 2010. When Shalit began his "Today" tenure, newspapers and magazines were the primary sources for movie reviews. His success on national television helped pave the way for other TV critics, including Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, whose "Sneak Previews" went national on PBS in the late 1970s, and Joel Siegel, who became ABC's movie critic in 1981. The Plain Dealer called Shalit "Daniel Boone in a bow tie and Groucho glasses."
Ludwig described Shalit's appeal: "What resonated above his unusual appearance was his incredible wit, his remarkable intelligence. But he didn't pound you over the head with it. He amused you. He enlightened and amused whatever subject he was on."
Later Years and Legacy
Shalit's role on "Today" was reduced in his later years, and he retired in 2010 at age 84. He was one of the last high-profile film critics on a major network, according to The Guardian. His legacy includes not only his reviews but also his influence on popular culture, as he was famously spoofed on "Saturday Night Live" and "Family Guy," as noted by the Jerusalem Post.
Shalit's personal life was marked by both joy and tragedy. He and his wife Nancy had six children, according to the Jerusalem Post. Nancy died in 1978. Shalit's family, in their statement to NBC News, remembered him for his "amazing life," a sentiment echoed by colleagues and fans who appreciated his unique blend of wit, warmth, and unapologetic corniness.
As news of his death spread, tributes highlighted not just his longevity but his role in making film criticism accessible and entertaining to a mass audience. In an era when critics were often seen as highbrow, Shalit brought a playful, approachable style that endeared him to millions of viewers.
Perspectives
- The Guardian's obituary emphasizes Shalit's cultural impact and his role in shifting critical power from print to television, framing his career as a pivotal moment in media history. It also highlights his distinctive appearance and pun-filled reviews as central to his identity.
- The Jerusalem Post's report is more straightforward, focusing on the facts of his death and career, including his longevity and the controversies he stirred, such as his 2005 review of "Brokeback Mountain," in which he called one of the main characters a "sexual predator." This detail, while noted, does not dominate the coverage, which remains largely celebratory.