Rex Reed (October 2, 1938 – May 12, 2026) was a prominent American film critic, journalist, author, occasional actor, and media personality known for his witty, acerbic, and often contrarian reviews and celebrity profiles that spanned over six decades.
Born Rex Taylor Reed in Fort Worth, Texas, he grew up in the American South and graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in journalism. He moved to New York City in the early 1960s and began writing about popular culture, art, and celebrities.
His early work included stints as a film critic for Women’s Wear Daily (1965–1969), the New York Daily News, the New York Post, and contributions to Vogue, GQ, Esquire, The New York Times, and others.
Reed became famous for his graceful yet biting prose—often described as “pithy,” “venomous,” or “poison-tipped.” His celebrity interviews and profiles were highly sought after; his piece on Ava Gardner was included in Tom Wolfe’s anthology The New Journalism. He authored several books, including bestsellers like Do You Sleep in the Nude?, Conversations in the Raw, and the novel Personal Effects.
He was a longtime columnist for The New York Observer, where he wrote “On the Town with Rex Reed” (and later other columns) for decades, making him one of the paper’s most recognizable voices. He also co-hosted the syndicated TV show At the Movies and appeared frequently on television.
Reed occasionally acted, notably in the 1970 film Myra Breckinridge alongside Mae West and John Huston. His tastes were famously contrarian—he was critical of films like Star Wars and had strong opinions that often sparked debate.
Reed remained active into his later years, with his final Observer piece being a tribute to the paper’s founder in late 2025. He lived in Manhattan (notably in the Dakota apartment building since the late 1960s/early 1970s) and was known for his sharp wit, work ethic, and colorful personality.
