Gene Shalit, Today Film Critic, Dies at 100

The iconic film critic of NBC’s Today, Gene Shalit, has died at the age of 100. His former network reported the news. In a statement to NBC News, his family said Shalit “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.”

Born on March 25, 1926 in New York, Eugene Shalit was raised in New Jersey after his dad bought a drug store. Shalit started his elementary school newspaper, and wrote for his high school newspaper’s humor column. After college, he started his journalism career in print, before moving to radio and TV news. 

Shalit was on Today for 40 years, starting in 1970 and retiring in 2010. “It’s enough already,” he said at the time. Shalit was best known for his punny reviews, his bowtie, and his signature mustache. Today built him a special “Critics Corner” set from which to deliver his unique reviews. For example, he said Judd Apatow’s Funny People was “passable…speaking colonically.” Shalit also had a daily “Man About Anything” segment on NBC radio from 1969 to 1982. He guest starred on shows like What’s My Line? And To Tell the Truth.