Garry Marshall

Garry Marshall (born November 13, 1934, Bronx, New York, U.S.—died July 19, 2016, Burbank, California) was an American producer, writer, and director who created several iconic TV sitcoms—notably the 1950s-nostalgia comedy Happy Days (1974–84)—and directed such crowd-pleasing films as Pretty Woman (1990).

Early life and career

He was the eldest of three children born to Marjorie (née Ward) Marshall, a dance teacher, and Anthony Marshall (previously Masciarelli), an industrial-film director. Garry Marshall grew up in the Bronx, and he later studied journalism at Northwestern University. After graduating in 1956, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He notably wrote for Stars and Stripes and was the production chief for the Armed Forces Radio Network. After his military service ended, Marshall worked for the Daily News in New York City while writing jokes on the side.

In 1960 Marshall quit the newspaper to become a writer for The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. He was soon working for other programs, including The Joey Bishop Show, The Danny Thomas Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Lucy Show, and I Spy. Marshall often collaborated with Jerry Belson, his writing partner.

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Television: Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy

Marshall then served as executive producer, writer, and director of the series The Odd Couple (1970–75), based on Neil Simon’s play of the same name. The show, which featured Tony Randall and Jack Klugman, was a hit, and seemingly odd, or mismatched, couples became a common theme in Marshall’s works. Even more popular was Happy Days (1974–84), a family sitcom set in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the 1950s. The antics of typical American teenager Richie Cunningham (played by Ron Howard) and his pals—including the cool biker Arthur Fonzarelli (Henry Winkler), known as “Fonzie”—provided a contrast to the more adult-oriented comedies of the decade and attracted a wide audience. The show’s nostalgia and populism become hallmarks of Marshall’s comedies.

The huge success of Happy Days led to several spin-offs. The first, Laverne & Shirley (1976–83), is set in the same time and place, and it centers on two working-class friends; the lead characters were played by Cindy Williams and Marshall’s sister Penny Marshall, who later became a director of popular comedies. In Mork & Mindy (1978–82) an alien from the planet Ork journeys to Earth in the 1970s to study human behavior and becomes the roommate of a single young woman (Pam Dawber). The show is known for vaulting comedian Robin Williams—chosen for the alien role by Ronny Hallin, Marshall’s casting director and sister—to fame. Less popular was Joanie Loves Chachi (1982–83).

Films: Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries

In the 1980s Marshall ventured into films as a director, writer, and producer. He made his directorial debut with Young Doctors in Love (1982). In 1984 he directed and cowrote The Flamingo Kid, about a middle-class teenager (Matt Dillon) working at an upscale beach club. The movie was a hit, and it was followed two years later by Nothing in Common, which starred Tom Hanks as an ad executive dealing with his divorcing parents (Jackie Gleason and Eva Marie Saint). The romantic comedy Overboard, featuring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, had a lukewarm reception upon its release in 1987 but later became a cult classic. Marshall had a bigger hit with Beaches (1988), a tearjerker centering on two longtime childhood friends (Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey).

In 1990 Marshall directed the blockbuster Pretty Woman, a comedy about an unlikely romance between a ruthless businessman (Richard Gere) and a prostitute (Julia Roberts). The film made Roberts a major star, and some credit Marshall with giving new life to the rom-com genre. He reunited with Gere and Roberts on Runaway Bride (1999), which was less successful. During this time Marshall also directed Frankie and Johnny (1991), about a relationship that develops between a cook just released from prison (Al Pacino) and a waitress (Michelle Pfeiffer).

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In 2001 Marshall had another major hit with The Princess Diaries. The family comedy features Anne Hathaway in her film debut, cast as an awkward teenager who discovers that she is heir to a royal throne. The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement appeared in 2004; in both movies Julie Andrews played the regal grandmother. Marshall’s later films include Georgia Rule (2007), Valentine’s Day (2010), and Mother’s Day (2016).

Acting

Marshall also worked in front of the camera. He had small parts in numerous TV shows—notably a recurring role as an exasperated network executive in Murphy Brown (1994–97)—and appeared occasionally in films. The latter include the Albert Brooks comedy Lost in America (1985), in which he had a memorable turn as a casino manager. In 1992 Marshall had a supporting role in A League of Their Own, a popular baseball comedy directed by Penny Marshall and starring Geena Davis and Hanks.

Garry Marshall wrote (with his daughter Lori Marshall) the memoirs Wake Me When It’s Funny: How to Break into Show Business and Stay There (1995) and My Happy Days in Hollywood (2012).