Legacy spans Happy Days to The Princess Princess Diaries

Garry Marshall, who created the sitcom Happy Days, has died at the age of 81.

He died at a hospital in Burbank, California, yesterday of complications from pneumonia following a stroke, his publicist has announced.

Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz in his most famous creation, said: ‘Rest In Peace. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity.’

Co-star and now director Ron Howard added on Twitter: ‘RIP #GarryMarshall whose humor & humanity inspired. He was a world-class boss & mentor whose creativity and leadership meant a ton to me.’

Marshall’s legacy also includes writing the sitcom version of The Odd Couple and Mork and Mindy, which was initially a spin-off from Happy Days, and Laverne & Shirley, which starred his sister, Penny.

Born in the Bronx, he studied journalism at university, before beginning his entertainment career as a joke-writer, eventually becoming a writer on The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. 

He worked on some of the biggest  comedies of the 1960s including The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show and in 1970 adapted  The Odd Couple with writing partner Jerry Belson.

Marshall switched to the big screen in the 1980s and directed blockbusters such as Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride.

More recently he has made a series of star-studded holiday-themed comedies:  Valentine’s Day (2010),  New Year’s Eve (2011) and Mother's Day, released this year.

He recently finished working on a new script for a Broadway musical version of Pretty Woman.

Marshall’s talents were not confined to behind the camera. He also acted in the 1990s films such as Soapdish and A League of Their Own, played network boss Stan Lansing on the sitcom Murphy Brown and has made guest appearances in  episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Bojack Horseman, Louie, and, aptly enough, the new version of The Odd Couple.

Other stars to pay tribute since news of his death broke include Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander, who said: ‘Garry Marshall gave me one of the best experiences I ever had in my career. Thanks pal. RIP.’

Sara Silverman said: ‘RIP Garry Marshall, the loveliest hostage a gal could ask for.  Mastered so many mediums & was vital to the end.’

Bridesmaids director Paul Fieg added: ‘He was an amazing person and gave me my first true exposure to the industry. You will be missed.’

And Danny Baker tweeted an entertaining snippet of trivia: That Marshall’s memoirs were entitled Wake Me When It's Funny: ‘what Sid Caeser growled as he handed back GM’s script (unread) before a TV show.’

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their three children.
 

Published: 20 Jul 2016