Gene Shalit, a distinguished film critic and arts reporter, died at the age of 100. Known for his distinct handlebar mustache and witty puns, Shalit made significant contributions to the ‘Today’ show for over four decades. His family announced his passing to NBC News, highlighting his peaceful end after a remarkable life.
Joining ‘Today’ in 1970 as a contributor, Shalit became the arts editor in 1973. He became widely recognized for his ‘Critic’s Corner’ segment, leaving in 2010 as one of the last prominent film critics on a major network. Guy Ludwig, his producer for over 20 years, praised Shalit for his intelligence and ability to engage without overwhelming his audience.
The influence of Shalit coincided with the emergence of film critic shows like Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel’s ‘Sneak Previews’ on PBS and Joel Siegel’s role on ‘Good Morning America.’ Shalit transformed critical power dynamics in America by moving film critique from print to television.
Shalit began his career writing for magazines, leading to his role at NBC. His distinct appearance raised some questions within the network initially. Despite this, Shalit’s bold presence and unique style captured audiences.
Shalit had distinctive opinions about films. He critiqued ‘Stand By Me’ for its engrossing nature and appreciated ‘Defiance’ for its historical dramatization. However, his comments on ‘Brokeback Mountain’ led to criticism from GLAAD, although he apologized.
Notable highlights of Shalit’s career include his humorous reviews like calling ‘Frozen’ ‘very cool’ and using creative wordplay for titles such as ‘The Men Who Stare at Goats’ and ‘The Lovely Bones.’ Shalit engaged with various movie genres from the year of ‘Patton’ and ‘Love Story’ to ‘Shrek Forever After.’
His interviews were characterized by laughter and insightful questions, adding a therapeutic angle to conversations with celebrities. Shalit traded quips with numerous anchors throughout his career.
Shalit faced challenges, like a car accident that resulted in a broken leg. Following this, ‘Today’ opted to record his reviews from home.
Born in New York, Shalit grew up in Morristown, New Jersey, demonstrating an early interest in writing. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1949 and showcased a talent for the bassoon despite an amusing punishment involving the clarinet.
Additionally, Shalit edited a book celebrating American humor and was depicted on ‘Saturday Night Live’ by Horatio Sanz. His influence extended to appearances on ‘Sesame Street,’ ‘Family Guy,’ and ‘Spongebob Squarepants.’
Gene Shalit’s legacy in film critique remains influential. He is survived by his daughter, Willa Shalit.