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IMDbPro

Gene Shalit(1926-2026)

  • Actor
  • Writer
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003170
Gene Shalit
Eugene Shalit was an American journalist, television personality, film and book critic, and author. After starting to work part-time on NBC's The Today Show in 1970, he appeared regularly there from January 15, 1973, until his retirement on November 11, 2010. He was known for his frequent use of puns and his distinctive bushy mustache and Afro-styled hair.

Shalit turned 100 on March 25, 2026. He died on June 12, 2026, at the age of 100.
BornMarch 25, 1926
DiedJune 12, 2026(100)
BornMarch 25, 1926
DiedJune 12, 2026(100)
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0003170

Photos4

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Known for

Joshua Bell, Hugh Downs, Renée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Lorin Maazel, Natalia Makarova, Audra McDonald, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Louis Perry, Beverly Sills, Martin Bookspan, and Fred Child in Live from Lincoln Center (1976)
Live from Lincoln Center
8.5
TV Series
  • Writer
Art Fleming in Jeopardy! (1964)
Jeopardy!
7.6
TV Series
  • Self
Alan Cumming in Masterpiece Mystery (1980)
Masterpiece Mystery
8.9
TV Series
  • Host(1980-1981)
  • 1980
Clancy Brown, Lori Alan, Rodger Bumpass, Mary Jo Catlett, Bill Fagerbakke, Tom Kenny, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, and Jill Talley in SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)
SpongeBob SquarePants
8.2
TV Series
  • Gene Scallop(voice)

Credits

IMDbPro

Actor

  • Clancy Brown, Lori Alan, Rodger Bumpass, Mary Jo Catlett, Bill Fagerbakke, Tom Kenny, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, and Jill Talley in SpongeBob SquarePants (1999)
    SpongeBob SquarePants
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Gene Scallop (voice)
    • 2007
  • Jon Lovitz in The Critic (1994)
    The Critic
    7.8
    TV Series
    • Gene Shalit (voice)
    • 1994–1995
  • Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie (1982)
    Tootsie
    7.4
    • Gene Shalit (uncredited)
    • 1982
  • Alan Cumming in Masterpiece Mystery (1980)
    Masterpiece Mystery
    8.9
    TV Series
    • Host (1980-1981)
    • 1980
  • Leslie Caron in Gigi (1958)
    Gigi
    6.6
    • Narrator (uncredited)
    • 1958

Writer

  • Joshua Bell, Hugh Downs, Renée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Lorin Maazel, Natalia Makarova, Audra McDonald, Zubin Mehta, Itzhak Perlman, Louis Perry, Beverly Sills, Martin Bookspan, and Fred Child in Live from Lincoln Center (1976)
    Live from Lincoln Center
    8.5
    TV Series
    • Writer
    • 1985

In Memoriam: Stars We Lost in 2026

In Memoriam: Stars We Lost in 2026

We pay tribute to the stars we lost this year, including Dolly Parton and Tim Curry.
See more
Production art
List

Personal details

  • Alternative name
    • Gene Shaft
  • Height
    • 6′ (1.83 m)
  • Born
    • March 25, 1926
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • June 12, 2026
    • New York City, New York, USA(natural causes)
  • Spouse
    • Nancy LewisJune 30, 1950 - August 8, 1978 (her death, 6 children)
  • Children
      Willa Shalit
  • Parents
      Isadore Shalit
  • Relatives
      Naomi Shohan(Niece or Nephew)
  • Other works
    TV commercial: Glad Ware (2003)
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Portrayal
    • 1 Article

Did you know

  • Trivia
    Hosted "The Critics Corner" on The Today Show.
  • Quotes
    Some films could only have been cast in one way: Screen tests were given the losers got the parts.
  • Trademarks
      Oversized handlebar moustache

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