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by JESSICA A. BOTELHO | The National News Desk
Gene Shalit, the longtime film critic whose bushy mustache, colorful reviews, and playful puns made him one of television's most recognizable entertainment commentators, has died.
Citing his family, NBC News reported that Shalit "passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life."
Shalit spent more than four decades as a film and book critic on NBC's "Today" show, where his distinctive appearance and enthusiastic style helped make him a familiar presence to generations of morning television viewers.
Known for his rapid-fire wordplay and penchant for pun-filled reviews, Shalit carved out a unique niche in broadcast journalism. Whether praising Hollywood blockbusters or critiquing box-office flops, he delivered his opinions with humor and a flair that set him apart from traditional critics.
Shalit joined NBC in the 1970s and became a fixture on "Today," covering movies, books and popular culture during a period of significant change in the entertainment industry. His reviews often blended criticism with comedy, earning both fans and detractors but ensuring he remained one of the most recognizable voices in entertainment journalism.
Beyond his work as a critic, Shalit became a pop-culture figure in his own right. His trademark mustache, curly hair, and animated delivery were frequently parodied on television and in films, further cementing his status as a media personality.
Throughout his career, Shalit interviewed actors, directors and authors, while helping bring film criticism to a mainstream television audience. His presence on "Today" spanned decades and multiple generations of hosts and viewers.
His cause of death was not immediately released.
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