Perhaps even more so than his other films, Mother’s Day was a testament to just how strong Garry Marshall’s working relationships were, and the sense of loyalty he was able to foster among his teams of actors.
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“Pretty Woman” director and “Happy Days” creator Garry Marshall died Tuesday in Burbank, Calif. of complications from pneumonia following a stroke.
Born in Bronx, Marshall graduated from Northwestern U’s Medill School of Journalism and began his career as a joke writer for comedians including Joey Bishop, then worked on the writing staff of “The Tonight Show With Jack Paar”.
Jason Alexander, Pretty Woman star: “Garry Marshall gave me one of the best experiences I ever had in my career”. However, Marshall’s career would end with a trilogy of holiday themed movies, culminating in Mother’s Day this past April. The interview was recorded at Book Passage Bookstore, in Corte Madera, California.
When Pretty Woman was released in 1990, Marshall told The New York Times, “I like to do very romantic, sentimental type of work”. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Garry Marshall during this sad and hard time. “Thank you for taking a chance on me”. But it was goofy, crowd-pleasing comedy that endeared the writer and director to generations of TV viewers in hit sitcoms including Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork & Mindy.
In 2001 he directed “The Princess Diaries” starring Anne Hathaway.
Today I lost a man who was a 2nd father to me.
Marshall shifted from TV writing to creating sitcoms that touched the ’70s generation and directing timeless film classics.
In addition to his sister, Marshall is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Sue Marshall; another sister, Ronny Hallin; three children, Kathleen, Lori and Scott Marshall; and six grandchildren.
“Garry Marshall hired me at 15 years old”, Rob Lowe tweeted”.
It turns out that Henry Winkler isn’t the only actor who is giving Garry Marshall the credit he deserves in giving inexperienced actors their first shot in the business they call show.
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Funeral services will be private but a memorial is being planned for his birthday on November 13, his publicist’s statement said.
