Renowned movie critic Gene Shalit, known for his pun-filled reviews and distinctive appearance with bow ties, bushy hair, and a large mustache, passed away at the age of 100, according to a statement from his family as reported by NBC News. Shalit began his tenure on NBC’s Today show in 1970 and later became the arts editor in 1973, where he conducted interviews with celebrities and critiqued various forms of entertainment. Despite scaling back his role in later years, Shalit continued to entertain audiences with his humor and enthusiasm until his retirement at the age of 84 in 2010.
Famous for his witty wordplay and quirky on-screen persona, Shalit’s reviews were not only entertaining but also memorable. He often crafted clever puns based on movie titles like “Go — don’t forego – Fargo” and “The Silence of the Lambs may be all wool and a yard wide but it makes a terrific yarn.” His love for language and humor was evident from an early age, as seen in his student newspaper column titled “What Shalit Be” during his time at the University of Illinois.
While Shalit’s humorous critiques endeared him to many viewers, he also faced criticism, notably in 2005 for labeling a character in Brokeback Mountain as a “sexual predator,” a statement that was deemed homophobic by GLAAD, prompting an apology from Shalit. Prior to his time on Today, Shalit had a successful career as a film critic for Look magazine and contributed to publications like Ladies’ Home Journal.
In addition to his work on television, Shalit authored several humor anthologies such as Laughing Matters: A Celebration of American Humor and Great Hollywood Wit: A Glorious Cavalcade of Hollywood Wisecracks, Zingers, Japes, Quips, Slings, Jests, Snappers & Sass from the Stars. His unique style and appearance also made him a target for parody, being spoofed on shows like Saturday Night Live and Family Guy.
Gene Shalit is survived by his six children, following the passing of his wife Nancy in 1978.
