Film critic Rex Reed, a defining voice in American entertainment journalism, died on May 12, 2026, at the age of 87. Known for his acerbic wit and unapologetic style, Reed reviewed movies and interviewed celebrities for over six decades, contributing to outlets like The New York Times, GQ, and Vogue. He began writing while a student at Louisiana State University, where he later received hall of fame recognition from the Manship School of Mass Communication.

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, and partly raised in Baton Rouge, Reed developed an early love for cinema, often recounting childhood trips to downtown movie theaters. He moved to New York in the 1960s, becoming a fixture in pop culture commentary and a frequent guest on television talk shows. His long-running column "Talk of the Town" in The New York Observer cemented his reputation as a fearless critic.

Reed also appeared in films such as "Superman" (1978) and "Irreconcilable Differences" (1984), and in 2012 brought a stage production about lyricist Ira Gershwin to LSU. Tributes from outlets like The Hollywood Reporter and The New York Times highlighted his influence and the divisiveness of his prose, described as both graceful and ruthlessly cutting. His health had declined in recent months.