Gene Shalit dies at 100
Gene Shalit, the longtime film critic for NBC's Today show, died June 12, 2026, at age 100. He joined Today in 1970, became arts editor in 1973, and delivered punned "Critics Corner" segments that ran for roughly four decades. Known for his oversized handlebar mustache, colorful bow ties and relentless puns, Shalit reviewed both New Hollywood favorites and mainstream blockbusters. His warm, humorous style helped make movie criticism a regular morning-TV fixture and influenced televised critics and pop culture parodies.
Back when I worked at Time Inc. and before I went vegetarian, I would frequent the Wendy's at Rockefeller Center. I saw Gene Shalit eating lunch there all the time. RIP, king.
Mark Athitakis8Who'd have guessed that the secret to living to 100 is Wendy's?
Mark Yarm7Also many years before I could've used the "Sir, this is a Wendy's" joke on him.
Maria T 🌹⛸🎸🍕🏄🏼♀️✨7He was still alive?! Dang rip
umpgirl.bsky.social6My dad worked for Barkas and Shalit. They owned a PR firm and their biggest client was AMF Bowling. He called me little miss white gloves. Eventually became Barkas and Davis - my dad! RIP uncle Gene❤️❤️
James Rowan (aka Jimmy Knuckles)4RIP #GeneShalit 🎬🕊 #film #critic #historian #filmsky #movies #DogDayAfternoon #graphicdesign #writing #review #synopsis
Brent Cox4Whoa, plus also whoa! RIP!
pete1456.bsky.social4Gawd im getting old He had a pinball machine with him on it I believe he was a cowboy
Terancewright243I remember his appearance on Letterman where they squished his head with giant hammers.
Fiat justitia, Ruat caelum3Part of my growing up. May he rest in peace.
Bon Motts3This would have been a celeb sighting for me to rival my getting into a cab Joe Franklin was getting out of
Yocham TA2Makes me not feel so bad about eating Wendy's every day.
RogerDogger69 18yr+only content for gayguys2ok 1. I forgot he looked like that 2. he was awesome 3. I thought he was gone alerady. He was the best
Tom2No offence, but Gene Shalit was still with us in 2026?
Before Siskel and Ebert took to the airwaves, Gene Shalit was already there, goofy puns and all, guiding us through the world of New Hollywood movies and blockbusters of the 70s. He was later overshadowed by S&E and others, but was always there, being his quirky, lovable self. One of a kind. RIP
RIO LINDA MEX 🇺🇸🇲🇽🇨🇦🦍4Just think how much longer he would have lived, without the Cigars!
AnnieOPopoAgie 💙💙💙4Definitely one of a kind. R.I.P.
Amber Sparks3What a life! He’ll always loom large in my childhood in the 80s.
Obie3Made it to 100? Dude was just victory lapping at that point. Not that it's a bad thing. If you can flex like that, go for it.
David Hardy❌👑3I always enjoyed his movie reviews and liked his sense of humor. 100 is an amazing age to reach. I am always thankful for people such as Gene Shalit. He made my life better
𝘎𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘋𝘦𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰3HE WAS STILL ALIVE!!! 😳
@Loudmouthkid622Aw, loved him. Glad you shared the news, Dan. Lovely tribute.
Vargulfen2Wow. Good long life. I had no idea he was still around.
WomanoftheYear2Damn. Didn't know he was still around!
Gene Shalit, longtime “Today Show” film critic, dies at 100
Rebekah12TIL that Gene Shalit was still alive...until today.
Blerd Bae's Beau9He saw so much in 100 years. Rest well, Gene 🫶🏾
Swan Ronson8My only frame of reference for Gene Shalit: youtu.be/VvIQzD5412w?...
Vince O7The amount of times I quote this scene to myself is embarrassing youtu.be/E_WLz8aCpLc?...
LeDonne Essential5Thinking about what it was like in 1926. The dude saw some shit. RIP.
Dave Lennon4loved his style respected his opinions.
Norby36.fellas.social4Awww. Grew up with him. 🥺
Grizzled Shopkeep3And only one person was born to play him (they have the same first name)
yaworm.bsky.social3When I was a kid I always thought he was Kotter.
Sh🅰️llene Holley2Rest in peace Gene Shalit.
Rob Rainbolt2An interesting story but the ending was predictable.
Gene Shalit made it to 100. He embraced a level of goofiness with his onscreen persona that really set him apart of other critics, and taught critics like me that you didn't have to be stuffy or puff yourself up to be a critic—you could just be an entertaining version of yourself. Rest in peace.
Brian Eisley4I honestly thought he died sometime in the Nineties. But RIP. He was a good one.
HIOM3Movies are magic. There's something to be said for reverence and reserving effusion for exceptional art. But ultimately, going to the theater or watching something at home is the most joyous activity, even when you watch something upsetting or that you don't like. Embrace that wonder!
SilentBobX3For years during my childhood I was convinced he and Avery Schreiber were brothers.
I met Gene Shalit when I was working at a jazz radio station in NY in the late 1970s. He was funny, personable, and a very knowledgeable movie critic who never took himself too seriously. Sorry to hear he has died, at age 100. May he rest in peace. people.com/gene-shalit-...?
Chaiah6Wow! I thought he’d died years ago. Incredible. 100 yrs. My spouse is wondering what he was watching that killed him. Mr. Shalit would think that funny. 😂
Peter Collinson4I watched Gene Shalit on the Today Show while eating breakfast before school. Great way to start the morning. Always joyous and enormously entertaining.
MarcDavid664He was quite a time. I'm glad he lived to 100.
Reverend Ike (he, him)4He used to drink at the Railroad Street Bar in Great Barrington where he had a second home, I was the short order cook.
Daniel Gudino Juarez3He lived quite a long life
Donald (not the Facist) - 🥲USA 🇨🇦Friendly2Growing up in the 70’s was magical. Almost too many personalities. The Knicks won twice. Jets & Mets won in 1969. Seeing Walt Frazier outside the Garden getting into a gold Rolls Royce wearing fur coat. Celebrities everywhere but we left them alone.
Randy Douglas2Wow! 100 seems impossible. Another age check I guess.
Judy Gordon2One of a kind. RIP
Breaking News: Gene Shalit, who peppered his film reviews with puns and wry wit on NBC’s “Today” show for decades, has died at 100.
leysin1854.bsky.social5What a gem. He was so witty and made us laugh. 100. Wow. May his memory be a blessing.
andrewdski.bsky.social4The first sentence of this obit: "Gene Shalit, the Muppet look-alike [...], died on Friday at 100." Robert D. McFarland
JN Hall3I remember how excited he was on Today about Star Wars
Mike Day3He was a gem on the Today Show. May he Rest in Peace.
