Gene Shalit, ‘TODAY’ show movie critic, dies at 100

Gene Shalit, a film critic for NBC’s “TODAY” show for four decades who was instantly recognizable for his walrus mustache, has died.

Gene Shalit, the longtime film critic for NBC’s “TODAY” show whose walrus mustache and exuberant wordplay made him one of television’s most recognizable reviewers, died Friday, his family said. He was a fixture on the program for four decades.

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Shalit “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life,” his family told NBC News in a statement.

Shalit started as a part-time “TODAY” show contributor in 1970 before moving to a full-time role three years later. He earned national fame as the program’s go-to movie analyst, offering his take on summer blockbusters, awards contenders and other big-screen projects until his retirement in 2010.