Gene Shalit, longtime Today show movie critic, dies at 100
The beloved arts reporter, famous for his bushy hair, walrus mustache, and groan-inducing puns, passed away peacefully after a 40-year career on NBC
Gene Shalit, the longtime movie critic and arts reporter for NBC's "Today" show, has died at the age of 100. His family announced his passing on Friday in a statement to NBC News, sharing that he "passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life." Shalit was a beloved television personality who spent four decades reviewing films and literature for morning audiences.[1][2][3][4]
Shalit was instantly recognizable to viewers by his signature look, which featured puffy, bushy hair and an oversized handlebar or walrus mustache. Along with his distinctive appearance, he was well-known for his quick wit and a fondness for quirky, groan-inducing puns. He began his long career with "The Today Show" in 1970 and continued to share his reviews on the program until his retirement in 2010.[1][2][3][4]
Throughout his forty years on the morning program, Shalit reviewed both books and movies, delivering memorable lines to his audience. For instance, in his review of the thriller "The Silence of the Lambs," he famously joked that the film "may be all wool, and a yard wide, but it makes a terrific yarn."[2][3]
