Al Roker mourned the death of Today family member Gene Shalit with a heartfelt tribute on social media.
On Friday, June 12, Shalit “passed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life,” according to a statement from his family, per NBC News. The charismatic movie critic started contributing to Today in 1970 before joining the show full-time in 1973; he retired in 2010.
Roker, 71, who joined Today in 1996, took to Instagram to react to Shalit’s death and honor his former colleague.
“We lost another @todayshow legend with the passing of Gene Shalit at 100 years old,” the meteorologist began his update. “Gene spent 40+ years at Today, doing book, movie, and theatre reviews and celebrity interviews with wit, intelligence, and some wicked puns.”
To conclude the tribute, Roker pointed out, “It’s no coincidence that he looked like Mark Twain with a dash of Einstein. You will be missed, sir.”
In the comments, Roker’s followers showered him with condolences. One Instagram user wrote, “May he rest in peace. I grew up watching him on the Today show,” alongside a praying-hands emoji.
Someone else echoed, “I remember him on the Today show. So sorry to hear of his passing.”
Chadwick Boyd, a chef who has contributed to Today, shared, “What a legend. Gene was a big reason I got into movies as a kid. May he rest in power.”
Roker’s wife, 20/20 co-anchor Deborah Roberts, shared, “Loved working with and talking with Gene. What a gem of a guy!
❤
.”
Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user wrote, “An icon! So sad to hear of his passing.”
Shalit was best known for his “Critics Corner” segments on Today, where he would share his pun-filled reviews on movies, TV shows, books, and more. His signature bushy hair and mustache, combined with his cheeky personality, endeared him to viewers.
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