Legendary NY critic Rex Reed dies at 87

Rex Reed, legendary film critic and cultural commentator, dies at 87

Longtime New York Observer columnist and celebrated entertainment journalist leaves behind a six-decade legacy in film, theater, and pop culture criticism

NEW YORK—Legendary journalist, film, and cultural critic Rex Reed died early Tuesday morning, May 12, at his home in Manhattan after a short illness. He was 87.

According to a statement from Sean Katz of Katz PR, “Legendary journalist, film, and cultural critic Rex Reed died early this morning, Tuesday, May 12, at his home in Manhattan after a short illness, surrounded by his closest loved ones. His death was confirmed by longtime friend William Kapfer.”

The statement continued: “Since the early 1960s, Mr. Reed has been known for his outspoken movie criticism and stylishly written profiles of Hollywood and Broadway icons, featured in publications ranging from The New York Times to GQ, Esquire, and Vogue, as well as for his column in the New York Observer over the last four decades. His writings were collected in numerous books, including his first, Do You Sleep in the Nude?”

Six decades of candid reviews

For more than 60 years, Mr. Reed remained one of America’s most recognizable and polarizing entertainment critics. Audiences knew him for his razor-sharp wit, flamboyant personality, and unapologetically candid reviews. As a result, he became a defining voice in film criticism during an era when critics themselves became celebrities.

Born Rex Taylor Reed on October 2, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Reed graduated from Louisiana State University before moving to New York City. At first, he pursued acting. However, he soon transitioned into journalism. By the 1960s, his celebrity profiles and film criticism had earned national attention.

Throughout his career, Mr. Reed wrote for major publications including The New York Times, Esquire, GQ, and Vogue. However, he became most closely associated with the New York Observer, where his film criticism and cultural commentary appeared for decades.

In addition, Mr. Reed published several bestselling books, including Do You Sleep in the Nude?, Conversations in the Raw, People Are Crazy Here, and Valentines & Vitriol. Beyond journalism, he occasionally appeared as an actor in films such as Myra Breckinridge and Superman.

Controversial critic

Although Mr. Reed often sparked controversy with his blunt assessments and colorful remarks, even many of his detractors acknowledged the distinctive literary flair of his writing and his lasting influence on entertainment journalism.

StageZine.com publisher Scott Harrah recalled frequently seeing Mr. Reed attending Broadway press performances throughout New York City over the years.

“Rex Reed was one of the most influential critics of our lifetime,” Mr. Harrah said. “Even well into his 80s, his reviews were always witty and often spot-on and insightful.”

Mr. Reed continued writing well into his later years and maintained a visible presence in arts criticism long after many of his contemporaries retired.

He is survived by extended family members and close friends.

Sources: Information for this obituary was provided by Sean Katz of Katz PR, along with reporting and biographical information from Variety, The Observer, and Wikipedia.