Rex Reed, Longtime Outspoken Film Critic, Dies At 87

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentRex Reed, Longtime Outspoken Film Critic, Dies At 87ByTim Lammers,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I cover Hollywood and entertainment.Follow AuthorMay 12, 2026, 06:27pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.SummaryVeteran 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.Show More 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.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. He was 87. Reed’s exact cause of death was not given.ForbesMichael Pennington, ‘Star Wars: Return Of The Jedi’ Actor, Dies At 82By Tim LammersBorn Rex Taylor Reed on Oct. 2, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas, Reed earned his college degree from Louisiana State University in 1960 and wrote for the likes of Vogue, GQ, The New York Times, The Daily News and the New York Post before landing his longtime job at the Observer in 19...