Bobby Rivers, the vivacious TV personality, film critic, and pop culture figure who died on Tuesday, December 26th, at the age of 70, is remembered by the entertainment industry.

For decades, Rivers has dazzled audiences with his funny interviews, smart film reviews, and infectious enthusiasm for all things entertaining.

Rivers, who was born and reared in Los Angeles, began his career in radio before transitioning to television in the 1970s. He established himself as WISN-TV’s first Black film critic, opening the door for a more diversified landscape of media representation.

His contagious enthusiasm and engaging charisma quickly secured him hosting opportunities on national networks such as VH1 and the Food Network.

In the 1990s, Rivers’ hallmark show, Watch Bobby Rivers on VH1, became a pop culture phenomenon. His honest interviews with celebrities such as Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Will Smith captured the zeitgeist of the time, providing viewers with a look inside the lives of their favorite stars. His lighthearted humor and razor-sharp wit earned him thousands of followers across generations.

Rivers was a determined champion for diversity in the entertainment industry outside of his on-screen image.

He encouraged aspiring journalists and filmmakers, generously sharing his knowledge and experience with many. Bobby Rivers TV, his blog, served as a platform for his insightful commentary on cinema and television, keeping him in touch with his admirers until his death.