Rex Reed, Longtime Outspoken Film Critic, Dies At 87
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- Hollywood & Entertainment Rex Reed, Longtime Outspoken Film Critic, Dies At 87By Tim Lammers,
- NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Critic Rex Reed attends the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts annual Spring Gala in Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center March 30, 2005 in New York City.
- Reed died Tuesday at his Manhattan home after a brief illness, publicist Sean Katz told The Associated Press on behalf of the writer’s friend, William Kapfer.
Hollywood & Entertainment Rex Reed, Longtime Outspoken Film Critic, Dies At 87By Tim Lammers,
Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow Author May 12, 2026, 06:27pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Summary Veteran film journalist Rex Reed, known for his brutally honest and often caustic criticism, has died at 87 after a brief illness. Reed, a longtime New York Observer writer, gained notoriety for his unfiltered reviews of major films like "Taxi Driver" and "Black Swan," and even actors such as Marlee Matlin. While some filmmakers, like Darren Aronofsky, considered his harsh critiques a badge of honor, Reed's colleagues remembered him as more than just a curmudgeon. His career spanned over six decades, including authoring books and appearing in films and on numerous TV shows, cementing his legacy as a distinctive voice in film commentary.
NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Critic Rex Reed attends the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts annual Spring Gala in Damrosch Park, Lincoln Center March 30, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images)Getty ImagesRex Reed, a longtime New York Observer journalist who gained notoriety with his brutally honest approach to film criticism, has died.