Garry Marshall, creator of 'Happy Days,' director of 'Pretty Woman,' dies at 81
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hollywood legend Garry Marshall, known for creating some of TV's most popular shows in the 1970s and 1980s, and later directing critically-acclaimed films, has died at the age of 81.
Publicist Michelle Bega confirmed that Marshall died at a Burbank hospital Tuesday evening of complications from pneumonia after having suffered a stroke.
Stars took to social media to mourn the loss of the beloved Hollywood icon.
In the 1970s, Marshall gained fame with his work developing "The Odd Couple," and later creating the hit show "Happy Days."
He would then go on to create classic shows such as "Mork & Mindy," "Laverne & Shirley," "Joanie Loves Chachi."
In 1990, Marshall directed his first big-screen blockbuster "Pretty Woman," starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere.
The film paved the way to a successful directing career, with Marshall tagging his name to the likes of "Runaway Bride" and "The Princess Diaries."
Marshall, who was born in The Bronx, New York, earned a journalism degree from Northwestern University and worked at the New York Daily News before moving to Hollywood and writing for iconic shows such as "I Love Lucy" and the "Dick Van Dyke Show."
His sister was Penny Marshall, who starred in "Happy Days" and "Laverne & Shirley" as Laverne DeFazio.
Marshall is survived by his wife, Barbara, who he married in 1963, three children and six grandchildren. Marshall's funeral services will be private, according to a statement from Bega, but a memorial was being planned for his birthday on Nov. 13.
When Marshall wasn't playing softball, he loved spending time at his Falcon Theatre in Burbank. Marshall and his daughter Kathleen opened the 100-seat venue in 1997 as a place where old friends and emerging talent could come together to create exciting work on stage, according to the Falcon Theatre's website.
