LAMAMIMET

Gene Shalit was born on March 25, 1926, in New York City and grew up in New Jersey. He attended the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, graduating in 1949 with a BA in science and letters, and began writing humor columns while in school.

Shalit became a prominent journalist and critic, contributing to magazines such as Look, Ladies' Home Journal, and The New York Times. In 1970 he joined NBC’s Today show as a part‑time film and book reviewer, and from January 1973 to November 2010 he served as the program’s full‑time critic, becoming known for his puns, colorful bow ties, and distinctive handlebar moustache. He also hosted a daily radio essay, Man About Anything, for NBC Radio.

After retiring in 2010, Shalit largely withdrew from public life, making only occasional appearances. He died on June 12, 2026, at the age of 100.