Author, Film Critic, Columnist, Actor, Lecturer and so much more…the legendary REX REED.

Rex was born in Texas, and grew up in Louisiana. He became one of the most prolific movie critics in the country, and for decades has written entertainment columns for The New York Observer. Reed has been a film critic for Vogue, GQ, and Women’s Wear Daily. For thirteen years, he was an arts critic for the New York Daily News, and for five years was the film critic for the New York Post. He is a member of New York Film Critics Circle, the National Society of Film Critics and, because his reviews appear on the Internet, he is a member of New York Film Critics Online. His articles and essays on the arts have appeared in almost every national magazine and newspaper in the U.S and in London.

He is the author of eight books, and his first novel, Personal Effects, sold 75,000 copies in its first printing and was optioned by NBC for a four-hour mini-series. His other best-selling works include: Do You Sleep in the Nude?, Conversations in the Raw, People Are Crazy Here, and Valentines & Vitriol. In his career, Reed has been one of the highest-paid and most in-demand writers of celebrity profiles. His writing was praised as an example of a new journalistic style, highlighted by his profile of Ava Gardner that was included and praised on Tom Wolfe’s anthology, The New Journalism.

As an actor, Rex made his movie debut playing Myron in Myra Breckinridge (1970) with Mae West and John Huston – Myron was the young man whose post sex-change operation persona was played by Raquel Welch. Reed appeared in the films Superman (1978, as himself) with Christopher Reeve and Marlon Brando, and Inchon (1981) with Laurence Oliver. Rex appeared with Melina Mercouri, Laurence Oliver, Lillian Hellman, Edward Albee and other notables in Jules Dassin’s anti-war film, The Rehearsal. However, some of Rex’s greatest success has come in reviewing movies.

Reed has been a member of the juries at the Montreal, Venice, and Berlin Film Festivals, and is proud to be the only film critic in the world to have had a movie review (for the Oscar-Winning anti-Vietnam film Hearts and Minds) read aloud in both houses of Congress, thus becoming a part of the permanent Congressional Record. In 1993, along with James Carville and legendary Supreme Court Judge Minor Wisdom, he was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame.

As a music critic and an ardent supporter of Broadway show music, he shares the distinction with Kitty Carlisle Hart of being the longest host-narrator of Lyrics and Lyricists, and he has written liner notes for Liza Minnelli, Lena Horne, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Eileen Farrell and Barbara Cook, as well as many others. His philanthropic activities have been many, one of which includes his appearances at the country’s oldest and most successful fundraising benefit for AIDS, the S.T.A.G.E. Benefit in Los Angeles.

Rex currently lives in New York, holds a journalism degree from Louisiana State University and an honorary degree from Brandeis University.

Rex is available in the following formats:

Speaking Engagements

His wit, humor, and history is heard in abundance as Rex relates memories and moments from his legendary career as film critic, author, actor and more. The legendary critic gives you his earnest, no-holds-barred thoughts and anecdotes on the past, present and potential of film and those who have populated his world.

“Lyrics and Lyricists”

(Cabaret-style show with Rex and his pianist)

Rex’s self-described style (as a vocal cross between Chet Baker and Blossom Dearie) compares to others have said to think of Mark Twain’s storytelling blended with Fred Astaire in his talk-sing delivery. Whatever the song, Reed brings this intimate portrait of life lived through music alive – if you’ve ever wanted to hear a story told well and the song connected to it, this is the intimate show with no parallel.

“Ira After George”

(Rex’s show with friends – ask which friends – celebrating the life and lyrics of Ira Gershwin)

Created by Rex, this production follows the life of lyricist Ira Gershwin, George’s older brother. Mr. Reed’s masterful and often hilarious narration follows Ira from childhood through his first song-writing projects, the tragic death of his younger brother, and during decades of phenomenal output. The songs Ira wrote without his brother include collaborations with Harold Arlen, Harry Warren, Vernon Duke, Kurt Weill, and Jerome Kern.

From the all-star cast, the numbers include I Can’t Get Started, My Ship, The Man That Got Away Long Ago and Far Away, as well as some of his lesser-known works including Fun To Be Fooled, I Knew Him When, Let’s Take A Walk Around The Block, and more.