Garry Marshall reportedly died from pneumonia complications after a stroke.
|||Director, producer and writer Garry Marshall dead at 81.
Director, producer and writer Garry Marshall, who was responsible for creating sitcom hits such as “The Odd Couple” and “Happy Days” and directed hit movies “Pretty Woman” and “The Princess Diaries,” died on Tuesday, Variety reported.
Marshall died at 5 p.m. local time in Burbank, California, from complications of pneumonia after a stroke, his representative Michelle Bega told USA Today.
“The Odd Couple,” a hit sitcom created and produced by Marshall, began a five-year run on ABC in 1970. The show, starring Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, received Emmy nominations and wins for the comedy series based on Neil Simon's play about two divorced men with different lifestyles who are forced to share an apartment.
Marshall's “Happy Days” debuted as a television series on ABC in 1974, starting a 10-year run that saw Henry Winkler's “the Fonz” become what Variety described as a cultural touchstone.
“Garry Marshall Rest In Peace. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity,” Winkler said on Twitter.
Marshall was the older brother of Penny Marshall, who played the unrefined but lovable Laverne DeFazio on “Laverne & Shirley,” a “Happy Days” sequel he co-created that ran on the ABC network from 1976 to 1983. It followed the lives of two single women and their nutty friends in 1950s and '60s Milwaukee.
He also directed “Pretty Woman,” a big screen blockbuster in 1990 starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere that grossed $463 million worldwide. Roberts earned an Oscar nomination for best actress and the film was nominated for a Golden Globe for best comedy/musical.
“The Princess Diaries,” “Beaches” and “The Flamingo Kid,” were among other popular films Marshall had a hand in putting on the big screen.
GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) July 20, 2016
Making millions of us laugh on a regular basis is a life well spent. #RipGarryMarshall
— Larry King (@kingsthings) July 20, 2016
Oh no... What a lovely lovely man. I'm so sorry he's gone. What a Light. RIP. https://t.co/hHlsqTe02z
— Debra Messing (@DebraMessing) July 20, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Marshall. It was a privilege to work with you. #PrettyWoman
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) July 20, 2016
RIP Garry Marshall. He was an amazing person and gave me my first true exposure to the industry. You will be missed. #TheDesertInnHasHeart
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) July 20, 2016
Garry Marshall I adored working with you, your kindness unforgotten. "May you be in heaven half an hour before the Devil knows you're dead."
— Kathy Bates (@MsKathyBates) July 20, 2016
Garry Marshall hired me at 15 years old. He gave my wife her start at 18, as a makeup artist. He changed our lives. And MANY others. #love
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) July 20, 2016
Once asked Garry Marshall to name his greatest movie star.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) July 20, 2016
'Julie Andrews, she could act, she could sing, she curses with perfect diction.'
So sad to hear about the passing of the incredible Garry Marshall.. You will be missed.. ❤️🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/jOBXevwMFy
— Lea Michele (@msleamichele) July 20, 2016
Garry Marshall was as sweet as he was generous and he told a great story. He will be missed.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) July 20, 2016
Reuters