Garry Marshall, a prolific writer and director of classic films including âPretty Womanâ and âRunaway Bride,â has died at the age of 81, a spokeswoman, Michelle Bega, confirmed to The Huffington Post. Marshall died from complications of pneumonia following a stroke.
A native of New York City, Marshall had been active in Hollywood since 1959. He created such television series as âHappy Days,â âMork and Mindyâ and âLaverne and Shirleyâ and was responsible for a number of classic romantic comedies, several of which starred Julia Roberts.
Tributes began pouring in Tuesday evening from many who starred in Marshallâs movies or shows and knew him. Henry Winkler, known as The Fonz on âHappy Days,â called Marshall the âdefinition of a friend.â
Other âHappy Daysâ cast members shared fond memories of their time spent with Marshall. Anson Williams, who played Potsie, said Marshall gave him âgenuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business.â
Charles Fox, who composed the theme song for the show, said Marshall was a âvibrant, creative force who made us all laugh.â Don Most, known for the character Ralph Malph, put it more simply.
âWe lost a giant today,â he said.
Marshall was born on Nov. 13, 1934, in the Bronx in New York City and attended the boroughâs DeWitt Clinton High School. He later attended Northwestern Universityâs Medill School of Journalism, where he said he fell in love with the written word.
âThere, I realized words mattered, and I studied journalism,â he told The Wall Street Journal earlier this year. âThough I never earned the best grades, I got the most laughs. Students wanted me to read my drafts out loud in class, since they were often funny.â
Marshall later began his career writing jokes for comedians and worked on the writing staff of âThe Tonight Show with Jack Paar,â according to Variety.
He began acting in the 1960s in many uncredited roles, including a âhoodlumâ in the James Bond flick âGoldfinger,â and spent time as a guest star on âMurphy Brown.â
Marshall was responsible for many beloved 1970s sitcoms and found directing success in the 1980s with âThe Flamingo Kid,â followed by âOverboardâ and âBeaches.â In 1990, Marshall had a blockbuster hit on his hands with Roberts in âPretty Woman.â The film, about a hooker who falls for a âlovelorn corporate raiderâ played by Richard Gere, went on to gross more than $463 million. The New York Times called it âsomething special,â and Roberts went on to be one of the most successful stars of the â90s.
That relationship went on for more than 26 years. In March, Marshall told The Huffington Postâs Matt Jacobs the pair had a special harmony and Roberts was the first person he considered when thinking about a dream cast.
All told, Marshall directed 18 films, including âThe Princess Diariesâ and most recently, a series of films centered around popular American holidays: âValentineâs Day,â âNew Years Eveâ and this yearâs âMotherâs Day.â
Marshall was known for his love of sports and was active in a senior softball league. An official statement announcing his death noted this year, âeven at age 81, he had a record ... of pitching 6-1 for his team.â
He leaves behind a wife, Barbara, two sisters, three children and six grandchildren.