How did Tom Shales die?

Television critic Tom Shales, a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, passed away on Saturday in Fairfax County, Virginia, at the age of 79. Victor Herfurth, his caretaker, revealed that Shales succumbed to complications arising from COVID-19 and renal failure.

In 1977, Shales assumed the role of chief television critic at The Washington Post, a position he held for nearly four decades. His remarkable career reached its pinnacle in 1988 when he became the fourth TV reviewer to be honored with the Pulitzer Prize for criticism. Known for his candid and unrestrained columns, Shales was unfazed by the potential backlash from television executives, stating, “People who respect TV are the ones I respect. It’s the ones who wipe their feet on it whom I probably write nasty things about.”

Former CBS News President Bill Leonard once described Shales as wielding “the English language like a sword to punch holes in whatever he feels like punching holes in.”

Although Shales took a buyout from The Post in 2006, he remained under contract for an additional four years. In 2014, he commenced a series for The Daily Beast, chronicling what he termed “the end of the talk-show era.” Through his nostalgic lens, Shales conveyed a profound admiration for the perpetual turnover of late-night television hosts.

Similarly, Shales penned tributes to David Letterman upon the host’s departure from The Late Show, recognizing Letterman’s idiosyncratic and irreplicable performance.

In 2017, Shales commemorated the passing of actor and comedian Robin Williams, lauding Williams for his unwavering commitment to making people laugh for four decades. Describing Williams’ career as a “rare cosmic event,” Shales acknowledged the indelible impact left by the comedic genius.

After four decades at The Washington Post, Tom Shales leaves behind a legacy of incisive and witty writing, offering a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of American television.