Gene Shalit, Beloved 'Today Show' Film Critic Known for Mustache and Wordplay, Dies at 100
Gene Shalit, the longtime film and book critic for NBC's 'Today' show, died peacefully on Friday at the age of 100, his family confirmed. Shalit was a fixture on the morning program for four decades, from 1970 until his retirement in 2010, becoming one of television's most recognizable personalities through his signature walrus mustache, bushy hair, bow ties, and pun-laden 'Critic's Corner' reviews. His death marks the end of an era for American broadcast criticism, as he was widely credited with elevating the role of the film critic on network television.
Gene Shalit, who joined NBC's 'Today' show as a part-time contributor in 1970 and became a full-time arts editor in 1973, died Friday at age 100 after what his family described as '100 years of an amazing life.' His 'Critic's Corner' segment made him one of the most recognizable faces in American television, distinguished by his handlebar mustache, frizzed hair, thick-framed glasses, and colorful bow ties — an appearance so distinctive it inspired parodies on Saturday Night Live, SCTV, Family Guy, SpongeBob SquarePants, and even a felt Muppet version of himself. Beyond his reviews, Shalit was celebrated as a skilled celebrity interviewer, putting guests ranging from Sophia Loren and Harrison Ford to Carol Channing at ease with a mix of wit and warmth. Before television, he had a prolific print career as senior film critic for Look magazine and a contributor to Ladies' Home Journal, The New York Times, TV Guide, and other publications. Historians of broadcast journalism have credited Shalit with shifting critical power in America away from print and toward television, influencing the rise of programs like Siskel and Ebert's Sneak Previews and ABC's hiring of Joel Siegel. He retired in November 2010, signing off with a review of Shrek Forever After, and is survived by at least one daughter, Willa Shalit.
What's missing
The exact cause of death was not disclosed by any source. There is also minor inconsistency across sources regarding his survivors: some list only a daughter (Willa), others reference a son (Peter) and multiple children; the full current list of surviving children is not definitively established across the reporting.
How coverage differed
Coverage was largely uniform in tone and factual content across outlets. The Hollywood Reporter provided the most detailed biographical and career context, including the Dick Clark payola episode and the GLAAD controversy over his Brokeback Mountain review, while tabloid outlets like TMZ and the New York Post kept their coverage brief and celebratory without engaging those more complicated episodes.
What different sources said
- TMZCenter
Gene Shalit, Iconic Film Critic, Dead at 100
- The Jerusalem PostRight
Mustachioed movie critic Gene Shalit dies at age 100
- NBC NewsLeft
Gene Shalit, ‘TODAY’ show movie critic, dies at 100
- VarietyCenter
Gene Shalit, Longtime ‘Today Show’ Film Critic, Dies at 100
- The Hollywood ReporterCenter
Gene Shalit, Mussed-Up Movie Critic of the ‘Today’ Show, Dies at 100
Gene Shalit, longtime Today show movie critic, dies at 100
Gene Shalit, Film Critic Bristling With Hair and Puns, Dies at 100
- New York PostRight
Longtime ‘Today’ show movie critic Gene Shalit dies ‘peacefully’ at 100
- DeadlineCenter
Gene Shalit Dies: Longtime ‘Today’ Show Movie Critic Was 100
- BBC Top StoriesCenter
Popular US movie critic Gene Shalit dies aged 100
- NPR CultureLeft
Gene Shalit, longtime 'Today' show movie critic, dies at 100
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