Legendary Film Critic Rex Reed, Hollywood Icon, Passes Away at 87

Entertainment journalist and film critic Rex Reed, whose sharp wit and unapologetic reviews shaped Hollywood discourse for over five decades, has died at the age of 87. The cause was a short illness, according to a statement from his representative, William Kapfer, and he passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at his Manhattan home in the Dakota building, where he had lived since 1970.

Reed’s career spanned more than half a century, beginning in the 1960s with provocative profiles and reviews for publications like Esquire, where his 1966 piece on Ava Gardner became a landmark of New Journalism and was later anthologized in Tom Wolfe’s seminal collection. His work later appeared in the New York Daily News, New York Post, and New York Observer, where he remained a fixture until his death, writing his final review for the film Truth & Treason in November 2025.

Known for his caustic yet often prescient critiques, Reed was a polarizing figure in film journalism. His reviews—delivered with a distinctive nasally drawl and a penchant for bold language—challenged conventional wisdom and became cultural touchstones. He famously dismissed films like Myra Breckinridge (1970), in which he had a small acting role as a character undergoing a sex-change operation, calling it a monstrous mess despite his involvement. His unfiltered opinions extended to contemporary stars; in 2015, he famously described Melissa McCarthy’s comedic timing as tractor-sized, a phrase that became shorthand for his unvarnished style.

Beyond criticism, Reed was a public personality, appearing on The Gong Show in the 1970s as a judge and embracing the spotlight in a profession where many of his peers remained behind the scenes. His 1970 appearance in Myra Breckinridge, directed by David Lynch in his feature directorial debut, underscored his willingness to blur the lines between criticism and participation in the industry he covered.

Reed’s legacy in entertainment journalism is marked by his fearlessness. While some dismissed him as a celebrity monger, others credited him with elevating the profile of film criticism during an era when the role was evolving. His death follows that of other iconic critics like Roger Ebert, leaving a void in a landscape where unfiltered, personality-driven criticism has become increasingly rare.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Reed is survived by friends and colleagues who remember him as a defining voice in American cultural commentary.