R.I.P Garry Marshall

R.I.P Garry Marshall

From “Pretty Woman” to “Princess Diaries” the famed director who always seemed to encapsulate true historical moments of true human emotion has passed at the age of 81.

Director and producer Garry Marshall created some of the most popular TV shows and Films, from “Happy Days,” which became the number one rated television show in 1977 and directed hit films like “Runaway Bride” and “Valentine’s Day” – this Hollywood legend has been shining his light since the late 1950’s.

Marshall died Tuesday in a Burbank hospital, his publicist Michelle Bega confirmed to the AP. He passed due to complications of pneumonia following a stroke.

Marshall directed 18 films throughout the span of his career, including the 1990’s “Pretty Woman,” which instantly coveted Julia Roberts into star power and put Richard Gere on the map again. His publicist also mentioned the virtuoso had just finished a rewrite for a Broadway-bound musical version of “Pretty Woman”. 

Born in The Bronx, New York, Marshall was married to his wife of 53 years and was a mentor to many a Hollywood starlets young and old alike. He was known to have rejected the idea of retirement- choosing to work through an age, when most people want to be playing golf and relaxing, Marshall just last April released one of his final credits- the film “Mother’s Day,” starring Jennifer Aniston, Kate Hudson and Julia Roberts.

Marshall was also known for having a memorable on-screen presence, somehow appearing in all of his films with small, but colorful supporting roles.

He began his entertainment career in the 1960s selling jokes to comedians, then moved to writing sketches for “The Tonight Show” — Sitcoms quickly proved to be Marshall’s forte. In 1970, Marshall turned Neil Simon’s Broadway hit, “The Odd Couple,” into a sitcom — It ran for five seasons and proved the beginning of a TV sitcom empire.

Marshall’s goofy, crowd-pleasing comedy has ridden the tide of time and is a testament to his love of comedy.
From his hit TV sitcoms including “Happy Days,” “Laverne & Shirley” and “Mork & Mindy” to  his hit films like 1986’s “Nothing in Common,” with Tom Hanks and Jackie Gleason and “Overboard” (1987) starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell to “Beaches” (1988) with Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey.

He is known to have said in a 1980s interview, that humor was his necessary path in life.

That is precisely how Mr. Marshall lived his life full of humor and the love of making others laugh as well.

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Funeral services will be private but a memorial is being planned for his birthday on Nov. 13th.

Learn more from the Associated Press, Here

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Several stars have taken to Social Media to remember Marshall, thanking the famed director and producer for his influence on their careers, including this touching tribute from Actress Mandy Moore.

“Garry Marshall was one of the greats. He connected

us all through joy, laughter, compassion & kindness. 

He also gave me my very 1st job. 💗”

@TheMandyMoore