Gene Shalit, a movie critic and arts reporter for the Today show for over four decades, has died at the age of 100. His family announced on Friday that he passed away peacefully after an amazing life.
Joining the Today show in 1970, Shalit became the arts editor in 1973. A popular fixture in American households, he delivered wacky commentary and reviews until his retirement in 2010.
Shalit was one of the nation's most recognizable characters, known for his puffy hair and oversized handlebar walrus mustache. As a middle-of-the-road critic, he was regarded for his intelligence, wit, and affection for groan-inducing puns.