Garry Marshall, a writer, director, producer and actor, died Tuesday due to complications from pneumonia following a stroke.
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According to a report by the AP, Marshall, a NY native, once explained in a 1980s interview, that he relied on comedy when he was growing up in the Bronx. By 1960, Marshall got a job writing for Jack Paar’s Tonight Show before becoming a sitcom writer with partner Jerry Belson, churning out episodes of series like The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Variety reported that Marshall, 81, who died in Burbank, California, found success numerous times in the 1970s with “The Odd Couple”, “Laverne and Shirley”, and “Mork and Mindy”.
“Everyone loved Garry”, said Richard Gere, who starred opposite Julia Roberts in “Pretty Woman”, in a statement.
The movie, revolving around a young prostitute and a bored millionaire, has become an enduring romantic classic.
The trio reunited in 1999 for box office hit “Runaway Bride”. In the early 2000’s, he worked on the live-action Disney princess film “The Princess Diaries” with Anne Hathaway. Marshall had recently talked about his plans to bring the third movie in the franchise. Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve and the recent Mother’s Day are examples of the director’s final movies.
He was also a memorable actor, starring in 90s films like Soapdish, A League of Their Own and served as the micro-managing president throughout the course of Murphy Brown’s run on television.
Henry Winkler, who famously played “The Fonz” on the Marshall-created sitcom Happy Days was one of the first to tweet his condolences.
“Thank you Gary for Overboard and all the films you made that had humanity, humour and goodness that lifted our spirits”.
The passing of directing giant Garry Marshall was quickly mourned throughout the entertainment world – from both the many stars he directed to those who loved his heartwarming films.
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“It was Jackie Gleason’s last film”, Eric tells NPR’s Morning Edition, “and a great mix of comedy and drama, which I think Garry was kind of known for”. “You forever changed my father’s life, and thus, mine”, she wrote.
