“The director, who brought the world beloved rom-com movies like “Pretty Woman”, “Overboard“, “The Princess Diaries“, “Valentine’s Day“, ‘Runaway Bride“, and more, passed away on Thursday at the age of 81.
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His first blockbuster hit, however, was Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, in 1990.
“Garry Marshall was everything one could hope in a family man and talented artist who LOVED his life and art”, Jaime Lee Curtis posted on Twitter.
Henry Winkler begins his tribute by giving Garry Marshall full responsibility for the career he eventually built, which surely represents how humble the Happy Days actor is at heart.
Garry helped put on the map some of the greatest comedies in TV history, creating and writing 1970’s classics Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley and Mork and Mindy just to name a few. He had an uncredited role in “Pretty Woman” as a “bum tour guide”, played Walter Harvey in “A League of Their Own“, and appeared on 24 episodes of “Murphy Brown“. But NPR’s Eric Deggans says another of Marshall’s films is among his favorites.
As Variety notes, Happy Days made phrases such as The Fonz’s “Ayyy” part of the country’s popular parlance. Tell us about it in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
Marshall transformed the Odd Couple from a Broadway hit to a five-season TV show he directed Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries.
“If you’ve got the comedy eye, you can look at any situation and see the humor in it while others don’t”.
Kathy Bates said she “adored” working with Marshall, while Jessica Alba called him a “comedic genius” and “a true pioneer”.
“More than that, when people doubted me, he didn’t”. Gary Marshall I love you. He changed our lives. “Not only was he a wonderful director, but also, he was a gentle, loving, kind man. #RIP”, tweeted Alyssa Milano.
– Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) July 20, 2016 I miss Garry already.
Rest in peace, Garry.
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Marshall is survived by his wife, three children – all NU graduates – and six grandchildren. His funeral services will be private, but his publicist said there is a memorial planned for his birthday on November 13.
