Gene Shalit, the longtime film critic known for his distinctive style on NBC’s Today show, has died at the age of 100, his family confirmed on Friday. Shalit passed away peacefully, concluding a career that spanned more than five decades in entertainment journalism.

Shalit joined Today in 1968 as a contributor, initially providing occasional book reviews. His eccentric personality and signature bushy mustache and glasses quickly caught the attention of producers, leading to an expanded on-air role. In January 1973, he launched “Critic’s Corner,” a segment that became a staple of the morning program and established him as a familiar voice to television audiences.

Throughout his tenure, which lasted until his retirement in 2010, Shalit delivered film, theater, and book critiques characterized by humor and accessible commentary. He deliberately avoided spoilers, aiming to preserve the viewer’s experience. His style combined quick wit and playful puns, setting him apart from more traditional critics. One example of his approach was his 1997 review of the action film *Face/Off*, which he described with a tongue-in-cheek summary emphasizing the movie’s premise of face-swapping.

Shalit’s media career began well before his television debut. He wrote as an entertainment columnist for *McCall’s* and later became senior film critic for *Look* magazine in 1968. He also contributed a humor column to *Ladies’ Home Journal*. Despite initial skepticism within NBC about his unconventional on-screen appearance, Shalit became a beloved figure. Producer Guy Ludwig, who worked with Shalit for over 20 years, affectionately called him the “foxy grandpa” of the Today show.

His relationship with colleagues and fellow broadcasters was generally warm, with Shalit known for his jovial interactions with anchors such as Barbara Walters, Tom Brokaw, and Katie Couric. However, not all feedback was positive; a 1989 internal memo leaked from then-co-host Bryant Gumbel criticized Shalit’s performance, citing late reviews and weak interviews.

Born Eugene Shalit on March 25, 1926, in New York City, he grew up in Morristown, New Jersey. His early interest in journalism surfaced in school, where he founded the first elementary school newspaper and wrote a humor column during high school. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1949.

Shalit was married to Nancy Lewis for 28 years until her death in 1978. The couple had six children, including daughter Emily, who died in 2012 from ovarian cancer. Shalit never remarried.

Gene Shalit’s unique presence and approachable critiques left a lasting imprint on entertainment journalism, and he remains remembered for his distinct voice and longevity in the field.