Eugene Shalit, Renowned Film Critic, Passes Away at 100
Eugene “Gene” Shalit, the iconic mustachioed film critic who graced the “Today” show for four decades, died on Friday at the age of 100.
His family shared the news with NBC News, stating that Shalit “passed away peacefully after 100 years of remarkable life.”
Shalit first joined the “Today” show in 1970 as a part-time contributor before becoming a full-time member in 1973. Over an impressive 45-year tenure—one of the longest in daily network television—he reviewed thousands of movies, books, and plays across various media platforms.
His distinctive bow tie, voluminous hair, and occasional cigar made him stand out from other television personalities of his era. Between 1969 and 1982, he also gained recognition as the NBC Radio Network’s “Jack of All Trades,” sharing witty anecdotes on classic game shows like “What’s My Line?” and “Tell the Truth.”
Shalit’s program, Criticism Corner, was well-known for its unique expressions and clever puns.
“The Today show was a special time for him,” his family remarked in a statement.
Guy Ludwig, who produced Shalit’s segments for over 20 years, reflected in an essay for Shalit magazine, “More than his unusual appearance, what resonated was his incredible wit and amazing intelligence. But he didn’t hit you over the head with it,” he added.
Shalit was born in New York City and raised in Morristown, New Jersey, where his family ran a drugstore. He started a newspaper during his high school years and later attended the University of Illinois—jokingly noting that it took him six years to earn a four-year degree. While there, he was a sports and humor columnist for the Daily Illini and worked as a reporter for the Champaign-Urbana Courier, as well as a stringer for the Associated Press in Chicago.
A published author, Shalit wrote “Laughing Matters” in 1987 and “His Great Hollywood Wit” in 2002, in addition to his work for Look Magazine and Ladies Home Journal. He leaves behind a legacy of curiosity and passion for the arts that spanned a century.
