Gene Shalit, the beloved film critic known for his appearances on NBC’s TODAY show, has died at the age of 100. A familiar face to movie fans for decades, Shalit was famous for his bow ties, glasses, and mustache, and for sharing witty, pun-filled reviews in his “Critics Corner” segments. His family confirmed to NBC News that he passed away peacefully on Friday after a remarkable life.
Gene Shalit started his television career in 1970 as a part-time contributor to TODAY, becoming a full-time movie critic three years later. He gained widespread recognition for reviewing all types of films, from big hits to critically acclaimed pictures, until his retirement in 2010. Shalit wasn’t just known for what he thought of movies, but how he shared his opinions. His “Critics Corner” segments were famous for his vibrant personality and reviews filled with puns and clever jokes. He became a pop culture figure, even being parodied on Saturday Night Live and appearing as an animated character. Shalit himself voiced animated versions of himself on shows like The Critic and SpongeBob SquarePants.
In addition to being a film critic, Shalit worked as an entertainment columnist. During the 1960s, he wrote book reviews for McCall’s and later penned the “What’s Happening” column for Ladies’ Home Journal. His writing also appeared in publications like TV Guide and The New York Times. He was also the author of four books: Somehow It Works: A Candid Portrait of the 1964 Presidential Election, Laughing Matters: A Celebration of American Humor, Great Hollywood Wit, and Khrushchev’s Top Secret Coloring Book. However, many people best remember Shalit for his on-screen work, including his film reviews and interviews with celebrities.
You know, watching Gene Shalit on TV always felt special to me. I really think he had a gift for interviewing celebrities – he just knew how to connect with them. I remember seeing him interview Sophia Loren once, and you could feel how captivated he was by her. It was amazing.
I was so saddened to hear about Glenn Shalit’s passing. He leaves behind a son and daughter, but sadly, he was predeceased by his wife, Nancy Lewis, and another daughter. My heart goes out to everyone who knew and loved him – it’s such a tough time for them.
Read More
- Green Game Jam returns with 70 games teaming up to tackle the climate crisis
- Gold Rate Forecast
- PI PREDICTION. PI cryptocurrency
- EUR CNY PREDICTION
- USD BRL PREDICTION
- Black Clover Confirms Special Chapter After Manga Finale
- Seven Snipers Review: A Sharpshooter Action Movie That Misses More Than It Hits
- USD TRY PREDICTION
- USD HKD PREDICTION
- DOGE PREDICTION. DOGE cryptocurrency
2026-06-13 07:12