Rex Reed Dies at 87 After 6 Decades of Acerbic Film Criticism
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Rex Reed Dies at 87 After 6 Decades of Acerbic Film Criticism
8 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Rex Reed, the longtime film critic and celebrity writer known for elegant but cutting reviews, died Tuesday at his home in Manhattan at 87.
A statement from publicist Sean Katz said friend William Kapfer confirmed the death after a short illness.
Six decades of criticism made Reed a prominent, polarizing voice whose prose could lavish praise on classic stars or savage performers he found dull.
His writing reflected a declared preference for old Hollywood grande dames over contemporary actresses, helping define the sharp, nostalgic persona that made him widely recognized.
Was Rex Reed a brilliant defender of classic film or a bully whose harsh criticism has no place today?
How did Rex Reed's pioneering celebrity interviews fundamentally change cultural journalism?