Recently, the Today crew said goodbye to one of their own: contributor and film critic Gene Shalit. The Today Show alum recently passed away at the age of 100. Since then, another Today Show star, Al Roker, has paid tribute to him in a touching share.
Gene Shalit Previously Stepped Away From Today In 2010
Gene Shalit was famous for his “Critics Corner” segments on Today, where he would share pun-filled reviews on media. While he was known for his movie reviews, he also branched out into television shows, books, and more. Shalit started his career in the 1960s, writing reviews for various publications, including Cosmopolitan, TV Guide, Seventeen, Glamour, McCall’s, and The New York Times.
In addition to his cheeky personality, Shalit was also iconic for his famous look, which included his signature bushy hair and mustache. Shalit ultimately announced his exit from Today in 2010. Following this, he mostly stayed out of the public eye.
Tragically, Shalit’s family announced that he had “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life” on June 12, in a statement shared by NBC News. They also shared, “The ‘TODAY’ show was an extraordinary era for him.”
Since the news has come out, another Today alum, Al Roker, paid tribute to Shalit on social media. Taking to Instagram, Roker shared, “We lost another @todayshow legend with the passing of Gene Shalit at 100 years old. Gene spent 40+ years at Today, doing book, movie, and theatre reviews and celebrity interviews with wit, intelligence, and some wicked puns.”
A Few Today Show Alumni Also Shared Their Tributes To Shalit In The Comments
Roker continued, “It’s no coincidence that he looked like Mark Twain with a dash of Einstein. You will be missed, sir.” Included in the post was a slideshow video made up of photos of Shalit, set to Perry Como’s “It’s a Good Day.”
Roker’s own spouse, Deborah Roberts, also took to the comments to share her condolences towards Shalit. She wrote, “Loved working with and talking with Gene. What a gem of a guy!” Other Today alumni also shared tributes to Shalit. Chadwick Boyd, a chef who also contributed to the program, wrote, “What a legend. Gene was a big reason I got into movies as a kid. May he rest in power.”
Taking to the comments, other fans paid tribute to Shalit. Many shared memories of watching him on Today over the years. Some comments included:
- “I have such fond memories of watching Gene when I was little. RIP legend.”
- “He made it to 100. LEGENDARY!”
- “Always loved him. A good, long life. Rest in peace.”
- “Thank You for the Memories and He Was the True Legendary of All the Book & Movie Reviews. Rest In Peace”
- “I have such fond memories of him from when I was a kid. He will be missed.”
What is your reaction to Al Roker’s recent share? Have you been following this story? Did you watch Gene Shalit on Today? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.
John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.
