Gene Shalit is best known as an American film and book critic, widely recognized for his long-standing role on NBC's The Today Show.
Eugene Shalit was born on March 25, 1926, in New York City. Eight days later, he and his mother relocated to Newark, New Jersey. In 1932, the family moved again, this time to Morristown, New Jersey.
While attending Morristown High School, Shalit wrote a humor column for the school newspaper titled "The Broadcaster." His bold and satirical writing style occasionally drew criticism from school officials, bringing him close to expulsion due to the controversial nature of his content.
Shalit began his career in the field of arts and cultural commentary in 1967, contributing to a variety of well-known publications. Over the years, his byline appeared in periodicals such as Look, Ladies' Home Journal, Cosmopolitan, TV Guide, Seventeen, Glamour, McCall's, and The New York Times. His ability to blend wit with insight earned him recognition as both a film and literary critic.
Gene Shalit became a familiar face to American viewers when he joined NBC's The Today Show on January 15, 1973. As the program's film and book reviewer, Shalit became known for his distinctive personal style—marked by his handlebar mustache, colorful bowties, and voluminous hair—as well as for his frequent and humorous use of puns. He remained with the show until his retirement on November 11, 2010, contributing daily reviews and features for over three decades.
In addition to his television work, Shalit was the voice behind a daily radio segment for NBC, titled "Man About Anything," which ran from 1970 to 1982. The feature was syndicated on more radio stations than any other NBC segment at the time, offering commentary on a wide range of topics in Shalit's signature style.
| Birth Date: | 25 Mar, 1926 |
| Age: | 94 yrs |
| Occupations: | Literary critic Film critic Journalist |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American film critic |
