Gene Shalit was a well-known figure on the ‘Today’ show, serving as a movie critic and arts reporter for over four decades. Famous for his distinctive appearance marked by puffy hair and a handlebar mustache, Shalit was also celebrated for his penchant for puns. He passed away at the age of 100, as announced by his family to NBC News.
Career at the ‘Today’ Show
Shalit joined the ‘Today’ show in 1970 as a contributor and became the arts editor by 1973. He gained recognition with his segment ‘Critic’s Corner,’ which continued until his departure from the show in 2010. During his tenure, he was one of the few remaining high-profile film critics on major television networks.
Guy Ludwig, Shalit’s producer for over 20 years, noted his unique ability to amuse and enlighten audiences with his wit and intelligence. Shalit’s impact extended beyond his amusing commentary; he was instrumental in changing the landscape of movie critique, with more focus shifting to television reviews.
Early Magazine Career
Gene Shalit started as an entertainment columnist for McCall’s magazine and later became a film critic for Look magazine in 1968. His success in magazines led NBC to offer him a role despite reservations about his TV appearance. On-air, Shalit maintained a middle-of-the-road critique style without divulging too much of a film’s plot.
Memorable Reviews
Shalit’s reviews often included clever wordplay. For example, he described ‘Defiance’ as a vivid portrayal of historical turning points, while critiquing ‘Brokeback Mountain’ as overly praised. He offered a playful take on the title ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’ and talked about films like ‘Frozen’ and ‘Shrek Forever After’ with characteristic humor.
Noteworthy Moments
Some highlights of Shalit’s career included comical interactions with celebrities. During an interview with Carol Channing, Shalit was overtaken by giggles. He once whimsically described a King Kong remake using invented words like ‘fabularious.’ In interviews, he had a knack for asking unusual questions, including queries about last meals.
Despite critiques from some colleagues like Bryant Gumbel, Shalit maintained strong relationships with multiple anchors on the ‘Today’ show. An unfortunate accident in 1994 led to Shalit recording reviews from his home studio.
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in New York and raised in Morristown, New Jersey, Shalit had a passion for newspapers from a young age. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949 and also shared talents in musical performance.
His love for humor extended to editing a book titled ‘Laughing Matters: A Celebration of American Humor,’ where he spotlighted figures like Mark Twain and James Thurber.
Gene Shalit’s flamboyant style and humor left an indelible mark on television criticism. He appeared in various comedic shows, occasionally mocked on ‘Saturday Night Live’ for his memorable reviews. His presence on shows like ‘Sesame Street’ and ‘Family Guy’ further cemented his enduring influence.
Shalit is survived by his daughter, Willa Shalit, leaving a legacy of wit and creativity in film critique.