Al Roker<\/a> mourned the death of Today<\/a> family member Gene Shalit<\/a> with a heartfelt tribute on social media.<\/p>\n On Friday, June 12, Shalit \u201cpassed away peacefully today after 100 years of an amazing life,\u201d according to a statement from his family, per NBC News<\/a>. The charismatic movie critic started contributing to Today in 1970 before joining the show full-time in 1973; he retired in 2010.<\/p>\n Roker, 71, who joined Today in 1996, took to Instagram<\/a> to react to Shalit\u2019s death and honor his former colleague.<\/p>\n \u201cWe lost another @todayshow<\/a> legend with the passing of Gene Shalit at 100 years old,\u201d the meteorologist began his update. \u201cGene spent 40+ years at Today, doing book, movie, and theatre reviews and celebrity interviews with wit, intelligence, and some wicked puns.\u201d<\/p>\n To conclude the tribute, Roker pointed out, \u201cIt\u2019s no coincidence that he looked like Mark Twain<\/a> with a dash of Einstein. You will be missed, sir.\u201d<\/p>\n In the comments, Roker\u2019s followers showered him with condolences. One Instagram user wrote, \u201cMay he rest in peace. I grew up watching him on the Today show,\u201d alongside a praying-hands emoji.<\/p>\n Someone else echoed, \u201cI remember him on the Today show. So sorry to hear of his passing.\u201d<\/p>\n Chadwick Boyd, a chef who has contributed to Today, shared, \u201cWhat a legend. Gene was a big reason I got into movies as a kid. May he rest in power.\u201d<\/p>\n Roker\u2019s wife, 20\/20<\/a> co-anchor Deborah Roberts<\/a>, shared, \u201cLoved working with and talking with Gene. What a gem of a guy!<\/p>\n \u2764<\/p>\n .\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, yet another Instagram user wrote, \u201cAn icon! So sad to hear of his passing.\u201d<\/p>\n Shalit was best known for his \u201cCritics Corner\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Today, Weekdays, 7 a.m., NBC<\/strong><\/p>\n Read the latest entertainment news on TV Insider<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n