Marshall created some of the most enduring and seminal sitcoms, including “Happy Days”, “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy”.
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He died at a hospital in Burbank, California, yesterday of complications from pneumonia following a stroke, his publicist has announced.
The multi-talented director, producer and writer had a hand in some of the most seminal TV and film of the last 50 years.
He’s also the brother of Laverne and Shirley star Penny Marshall, who directed Hollywood hits such as Big and A League Of Their Own, which was filmed partially in Evansville and Huntingburg.
Ashton Kutcher, who starred in Marshall’s films Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve, also paid tribute, saying: “I lost a friend & mentor”. Especially those whose now towering careers were built on a foundation set by the legendary director, who on Tuesday passed away at age 81. Our condolences go out to his family at this very sad time. “Thank you for my professional life”, he wrote shortly after news broke.
‘RIP Garry Marshall. You forever changed my father’s life, and thus, mine.
Howard told CNN in a statement that Marshall was “the greatest boss I’ve ever had”. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. Marshall’s directing talents were recognized in 1996, when he received the Women in Film Lucy Award for enhancing the “perception of women through the medium of television”.
Marshall and Belson detoured into screenwriting in 1967 with “How Sweet It Is”, starring Debbie Reynolds, and followed it up with “The Grasshopper” (1970) with Jacqueline Bisset.
He began his entertainment career in the 1960s selling jokes to comedians, then moved to writing sketches for “The Tonight Show” with Jack Paar in NY.
He also gave the world the 2001 movie version of The Princess Diaries – which launched Anne Hathaway’s career – as well as its 2004 sequel The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
A memorial service for Marshall has been scheduled later this year for November 13, on what would have been his 82nd birthday.
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Marshall is survived by his wife of more than half a century, Barbara, three children and six grandchildren.
