Gene Shalit, the fun-loving film critic on the Today show known for his oversized mustache, out-of-control mop of black hair and lively use of puns in his movie reviews, died Friday. He was 100.
Shalit, a mainstay on the NBC morning show for four decades until his retirement in November 2010, “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life,” his family said in a statement to NBC News.
Shalit started as a book reviewer on Today in 1970 and went on to replace Joe Garagiola on the desk three years later. Working alongside the likes of Hugh Downs, Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters, Bryant Gumbel, Jane Pauley, Matt Lauer and Katie Couric, Shalit proved to be a spirited counterbalance to the heavier news of the day, entertaining audiences with celebrity interviews and insights into moviegoing choices during his “Critic’s Corner” segment.
“He is the Today show,” Meredith Vieira said during a 2011 tribute to Shalit after he announced his retirement.
The quick-witted Shalit, fond of bow ties, aimed to make his segments fun. He summed up his 1987 review of Ishtar with, “Two words, Ishtar ish horrible.” For 1997’s Face/Off, Shalit opined, “Now, if wild improbabilities are your cup of tea, let’s face it, you’ll find Face/Off a compelling acted, totally absurd, unbelievable, thoroughly entertaining movie.” His take of the eventual 1992 Oscar best picture winner got the full pun treatment — The Silence of the Lambs may be all wool, and a yard wide, but it makes a terrific yarn.”
