Gene Shalit, whose signature mustache, wild hair and pun-filled film criticism made him a fixture on NBC’s “TODAY” show for four decades, died Friday at 100.
Shalit’s family confirmed his death in a statement, saying he “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life.” He had served as the film critic for NBC’s “TODAY” show for four decades, retiring in November 2010 after becoming a fixture of American mornings since 1970.
A Distinctive Presence on American Television
Shalit’s appearance became as famous as his reviews. The explosive dark hair, walrus-style handlebar mustache, oversized bow ties and black-rimmed glasses turned him into a cultural icon who inspired impressions by Eugene Levy on SCTV and Horatio Sanz on “Saturday Night Live.” Animated versions appeared on “The Critic” and “SpongeBob SquarePants,” both voiced by Shalit himself, and “The Muppets” created a felt replica complete with his signature look.
His reviews became legendary for their wordplay. Shalit demolished the 1987 Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman disaster “Ishtar” with the unforgettable assessment, “Ishtar ish tarrible!” He suggested the 1974 Burt Reynolds prison football film “The Longest Yard” should “be penalized half the distance to the goal — twice.” The widely panned 1991 Bruce Willis film “Hudson Hawk” received a spelling lesson: “This movie is awful, spelled o-f-f-a-l.”
His wit extended to positive reviews as well. Shalit remarked that “The Silence of the Lambs” “may be all wool and a yard wide, but it makes a terrific yarn.” He described Judd Apatow’s “Funny People” as “passable — speaking colonically.”
From New Jersey Roots to National Fame
Born in New York on March 25, 1926, Shalit grew up in New Jersey after his father purchased a drug store in Morristown. At Morristown High School, he founded the school’s first newspaper, The Spotlight, and penned a humor column titled The Korn Krib for the school paper. His classmates named him “Class Cut-up” before he graduated in 1943. He attended the University of Illinois, where he served as sports editor for The Daily Illini, earning his degree in 1949.
His journalism career began in print. Shalit spent 12 years as senior film critic at Look Magazine and contributed regularly to Ladies Home Journal, The New York Times, Cosmopolitan and TV Guide. From 1969 to 1982, he wrote and delivered a daily radio essay for NBC’s national network. He joined the TODAY show part-time in 1970 and became a full-time host in 1973, replacing Joe Garagiola.
Interviews That Blended Humor and Heart
Beyond film criticism, Shalit proved himself a gifted interviewer who put celebrities at ease. His style ranged from sincere to playful — he famously questioned Kermit the Frog about marriage plans with Miss Piggy. He persuaded Richard Burton to read from a phone book and shared uncontrollable laughter with Carol Channing. His subjects included Sophia Loren, Paul Newman, Oprah Winfrey and Harrison Ford.
Guy Ludwig, his producer for more than two decades, noted that Shalit combined wit with warmth. Audiences responded to both his distinctive appearance and his intelligence, which he conveyed without pretension while entertaining and informing viewers on any subject.
During his tenure, Shalit worked alongside broadcast journalism giants including Hugh Downs, Tom Brokaw, Barbara Walters, Bryant Gumbel, Jane Pauley, Katie Couric and Matt Lauer. His “Critic’s Corner” segment provided a lively contrast to the morning’s hard news, delivered with showman’s flair and precision timing.
An Enduring Television Legacy
Former co-host Meredith Vieira said simply, “He is the ‘TODAY’ show.” He returned to the program one last time in 2015 for Willard Scott’s retirement. When he turned 100, Al Roker celebrated him with greetings in a Smucker’s jar, honoring a cherished “TODAY” show tradition.
Shalit resided in Leonia for many years and remained a devoted Mets fan. He was married to Nancy Lewis. He is survived by six children. His wife Nancy Lewis and a daughter predeceased him.
His family said the “TODAY” show represented “an extraordinary era for him” — a statement that, considering the breadth of his career, speaks volumes about just how extraordinary that era was. Morristown retained a special place in his story, with his father’s drug store serving as a local landmark that kept the family name connected to the community long after Gene achieved national recognition.
