Gene Shalit, Renowned Film Critic, Passes Away at 100
NEW YORK (AP) — Gene Shalit, the beloved film critic and arts reporter for the “Today” show, has died at the age of 100. Known for his distinctive bushy hair, handlebar mustache, and fondness for puns, Shalit had a presence on television for over four decades.
His family shared the news of his passing with NBC News, stating that he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of a remarkable life.”
Shalit joined “Today” in 1970, initially as a contributor, before becoming the art editor in 1973 and eventually establishing his signature segment, “Critics’ Corner.” By the time he left the show in 2010, he was among the last prominent film critics on a major network.
His unique style, marked by a blend of wit and intelligence, made an impression. One essay about him noted, “He didn’t hit you over the head with his insights. He entertained and enlightened in a way that felt accessible.” This was part of what made him stand out when other critics, like Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, caught the public’s attention with their own shows.
Shalit was pivotal in shifting the dynamic of critical power in America. At the time he started on “Today,” the landscape of film criticism was dominated by newspapers and magazines. Shalit helped to redefine that space, earning him a comparison to “a Daniel Boone in a bow tie and Groucho glasses,” according to The Plain Dealer in 2010.
Before his television career, Shalit worked as an entertainment columnist for McCall magazine and later became the senior film critic for Look magazine in 1968, which included contributions to Ladies Home Journal. His magazine success ultimately led to an invitation from NBC.
Interestingly, when he first appeared at NBC, some executives were surprised by his unconventional appearance. One executive even joked about radio, curious about how the audience might react to someone so different from the usual faces on screen.
On air, Shalit was often seen as a centrist critic. For example, he had a rather nuanced take on the 1986 film “Stand by Me,” describing it as a movie that, rather than making you feel bad, might have you “go crazy.” He famously pointed out that many critics spoil films by revealing too much of the plot, and he always aimed to avoid that pitfall.
His reviews had memorable highlights. He praised “Defiance” as a “vivid dramatization” of history but also stirred controversy by calling “Brokeback Mountain” “grossly overrated,” later facing backlash for comments he made about one of its characters. On the lighter side, he called “Frozen” “very cool,” and his playful commentary on film titles often left an impact, like noting of “The Lovely Bones” that there were “no bones in this movie.”
One notable moment during his career involved a humorous interview with Carol Channing, which showcased his ability to connect with guests. He once described the King Kong remake as “so huge” that he needed to invent a word to encapsulate it, and he deemed Spielberg’s “The Color Purple” a must-see.
Throughout his tenure, he bantered with numerous anchors, including Barbara Walters and Tom Brokaw. He did face criticism from fellow anchor Bryant Gumbel, who felt Shalit’s reviews were often delayed and his interviews subpar—a remark meant for private eyes.
A significant moment in Shalit’s life occurred in 1994 when he was struck by a car while covering baseball spring training, which led to him filming reviews from his home studio thereafter.
Shalit was born in New York but grew up in Morristown, New Jersey. He began writing at a young age, even starting his own newspaper in grammar school, and later graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949.
He initially played the clarinet but switched to bassoon under the guidance of a frustrated teacher, which he recounted fondly years later. In 1987, he edited “The Problem of Laughter: A Celebration of American Humor,” where he aimed to showcase prominent figures in American humor.
Shalit also became a comedic figure, as Saturday Night Live cast member Horatio Sanz often imitated him in a humorous light. His memorable career included cameo appearances on shows like “Sesame Street” and “Family Guy.”
He is survived by his daughter, Willa Shalit.
