Rex Reed facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rex Reed
Reed in 2012
Born	Rex Taylor Reed (1938-10-02)October 2, 1938 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Died	May 12, 2026(2026-05-12) (aged 87) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Film critic, writer
Alma mater	Louisiana State University
Years active	1967–2025

Rex Taylor Reed (born October 2, 1938 – died May 12, 2026) was an American film critic, journalist, and actor. He was also a well-known media personality. Reed became famous for his strong opinions and unique writing style. He wrote about movies, art, and celebrities for many years.

Who Was Rex Reed?

Rex Reed grew up in the southern United States. He later moved to New York City in the early 1960s. There, he started his career writing about popular culture and famous people. He also appeared on television and acted in several films.

Early Life and Education

Rex Reed was born on October 2, 1938, in Fort Worth, Texas. His mother was Jewell Reed, and his father, James M. Reed, worked as an oil company supervisor. Because of his father's job, Rex's family moved around the southern U.S. during his childhood.

He studied journalism at Louisiana State University. He graduated in 1960. While in college, he began writing reviews for films and plays. He wrote for both the university newspaper and a local newspaper in Baton Rouge.

Starting a Career in New York

After college, Reed moved to New York City. He hoped to become an actor. Instead, he found a job in the publicity department at 20th Century Fox. He wrote promotional materials for movies.

Later, he started writing interviews for major newspapers like The New York Times. He also wrote for New York magazine. From 1966 to 1973, he was a music critic for HiFi/Stereo Review.

A Well-Known Film Critic

Rex Reed became a respected film critic. He wrote for many famous magazines and newspapers. These included Vogue, GQ, and The New York Times. He was also the arts critic for the New York Daily News for 13 years. For five years, he was the film critic for the New York Post.

He was invited to be a judge at important film festivals. He served on the jury at the 21st Berlin International Film Festival in 1971. He also judged at the 33rd Venice International Film Festival in 1972.

His Unique Review Style

Rex Reed made claims about Marisa Tomei's Oscar win for My Cousin Vinny.

Reed was known for his direct and honest reviews. He often shared strong opinions about films and performances. For example, in 1974, he reviewed Frank Sinatra's performance. He described Sinatra's voice as "manhandled beyond recognition." Years later, Reed said Sinatra improved after his review.

Debates and Discussions

Reed's reviews sometimes led to public discussions. After Marisa Tomei won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 1992, Reed suggested there was a mistake. He claimed the presenter, Jack Palance, read the wrong name. This idea was later proven false by the accounting firm Price Waterhouse. Film critic Roger Ebert said Reed's claims were unfair to Tomei.

In a 2005 review of the South Korean movie Oldboy, Reed made some comments about Korean culture that many found disrespectful. In 2013, his review of Identity Thief caused a lot of discussion. Some of his comments about an actress were seen as harsh by many.

In his later years, Reed's opinions often differed from younger critics. He believed that American culture had declined. He also felt that many young critics lacked knowledge of film history. Reed was a member of the New York Film Critics Circle. His final article was a tribute to the founder of The New York Observer.

Acting and TV Appearances

Besides writing, Rex Reed also acted in movies. He appeared in Myra Breckinridge (1970). He also had roles in Superman (1978), Inchon (1981), and Irreconcilable Differences (1984).

He was a frequent judge on the TV game show The Gong Show in the late 1970s. In 2009, he appeared in a documentary called For the Love of Movies: The Story of American Film Criticism. In it, he talked about the importance of film critics.

His Later Years

Rex Reed lived in a two-bedroom apartment in The Dakota building in New York City. He bought it in 1969. He was a private person about his personal life.

After several months of declining health, Rex Reed passed away at his home in New York City. He died on May 12, 2026, at the age of 87. Following his death, major publications like The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter remembered him. They noted his sharp and honest reviews. The Hollywood Reporter called him the "bad boy of entertainment journalism."

Filmography