Rex Reed: A bold-faced-name life - CBS News
The film critic and journalist talks about a life filled with movies, celebrities, and a penchant for speaking his mind
www.cbsnews.comRex Reed, a longtime film critic and journalist, has died at age 87. He passed away in Manhattan after a brief illness, with publicist statements confirming the news.[3][4]
- What happened: Reed’s death was reported on May 11–12, 2026, by multiple outlets, including The New York Times and CBS News, confirming the cause as a brief illness and noting his long career and influence in cinema criticism.[4][3]
- Why it matters: Over more than six decades, Reed was famous for his acerbic, vividly written reviews, his associations with Hollywood stars, and his influence on public conversations about film.[3][4]
- Notable context: He appeared in films (as himself in Superman) and authored eight books, while sometimes courting controversy with provocative remarks about actors and Oscar histories.[1][4][3]
If you’d like, I can pull a concise timeline of his career highlights and a short obituary summary from the latest outlets, or pull quotes from the coverage to illustrate his impact.[4][3]