Garry Marshall, who created the smash-hit TV show Happy Days has died at the age of 81. Marshall died on Tuesday afternoon in California of complications from pneumonia following a stroke, his publicist Michelle Bega said.
Marshall was also the director of the break-out Julia Roberts and Richard Gere film Pretty Woman, as well as Runaway Bride, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Mother’s Day, The Princess Diaries, and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
He also wrote scripts for The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show back in the 1960s, but found huge success in the 1970s creating Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and Mork and Mindy.
Tributes for the Hollywood legend started pouring in via Twitter following the news of his death.
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
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
With the passing of #GarryMarshall the world got a little less funny today.
Thanks for the shining moments dear sir…— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) July 20, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Marshall. A great, great guy and the best casino boss in the history of film. #lostinamerica
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) July 20, 2016
I only met Garry Marshall once, when I was very young, but he was incredibly warm, encouraging, and generous with his time and energy. ????
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) July 20, 2016
He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their three children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them at this difficult time.
