Who Was Gene Shalit's Wife? Inside Iconic 'Today' Critic's Family Life, Where Are His Children Now?

It's a dark day for the Today show cast and viewers, as they lost one of their brightest stars. Gene Shalit, a renowned movie critic and arts reporter for the decades-old NBC show, has passed away after celebrating his 100th birthday earlier this year. His colleagues, including host Savannah Guthrie, had joined in to celebrate the legend's milestone birthday, unaware that they would be returning weeks later to bid goodbye.

Shalit's family confirmed in a statement to NBC News that he died peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2026, "100 years of an amazing life." For generations of viewers, he was a fixture of morning television, delighting those around him with his trademark hair and moustache, colorful bow ties, and punny reviews. But what was the ever-similing figure's personal life like? Well, it was not bereft of heartbreak and profound losses.

Gene Shalit faced profound grief when he lost his wife to cancer

Despite being one of morning television's most popular figures for decades, Gene hardly ever spoke about his family life. The Today show icon was married to his wife, Nancy Lewis, for nearly three decades, and it was a happy family. The couple tied the knot in 1950, long before the world would recognize him as a legendary critic.

Nancy largely remained out of public view during her husband's rising career, and there are no publicly available photos of them together. While Gene's career reached new heights in journalism and television, she stood as the family's rock, supporting him behind the scenes and raising their family of eight. In their nearly three-decade marriage, the couple welcomed six children.

In 1978, after 28 years of marriage, Nancy Lewis Shalit died after a prolonged battle with cancer. Despite losing his wife relatively early in life, Shalit never remarried. Friends and colleagues often noted how devoted he remained to his family in the years that followed.

Gene Shalit and Nancy Lewis had six children; where are they now?

Gene and Nancy built a quiet life with their children in Leonia, New Jersey, away from the Hollywood spotlight. Over the years, several of the Shalit children pursued notable careers of their own, while others chose to lead more private lives. The eldest child, Peter Shalit, went on to become a reputed physician and author. After coming out as gay, he became an advocate for HIV awareness and gay men's health.

Peter Shalit made headlines in the 1990s and early 2000s for his active advocacy of public health. He also famously defended his father after criticism surrounding Gene's controversial review of Brokeback Mountain, emphasizing his father's longstanding support for LGBTQ+ rights.

Gene's second child, daughter Willa Shalit, is perhaps the most well-known of his children. She has built an impressive career as an artist, author, producer, and social entrepreneur. She gained recognition for her work in theater and television and was involved with productions including The Vagina Monologues.

Gene and Nancy's third child, Emily Shalit, sadly passed away in 2012 at age 55, following a battle with ovarian cancer. Her death marked another profound personal loss for the television icon, who had already endured the passing of his wife decades earlier. The Today show icon's other children, Amanda, Nevin, and Andrew, have largely maintained private lives, and there is not much information about their whereabouts.

More about Gene Shalit

In 1943, Shalit attended the University of Illinois, where he spent six years earning his degree while serving as sports editor of The Daily Illini. During his college years, he also worked as a reporter for The Champaign-Urbana Courier and contributed sports coverage to the Associated Press. It was much later that he transitioned into full-time journalism and began writing for publications including McCall's, Look, Ladies' Home Journal, and Sport.

Shalit's growing reputation eventually led NBC to recruit him for the Today show, where he became one of America's most recognizable film critics. His tenure with the show lasted 41 years, the longest anyone has been on a single program in television history. On his 100th birthday, the show honored Shalit's legacy with a heartfelt post on Instagram that read:

"Happy Birthday to TODAY Show legend Gene Shalit, who turns 100 years old today! Shalit, who started at TODAY in 1969, spent 41 years at the show, the longest anyone has been on one television program in TV history... Happy Birthday, Gene!"

Gene Shalit may no longer be in the mortal realm, but his unmatched legacy will live on through his numerous contributions in the world of television, journalism, and the arts. Rest in peace, legend.

PC: NBC NewsWire, TODAY/YouTube, todayshow/Instagram

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