Happy Days creator, Pretty Woman director Garry Marshall dies at 81

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Legendary actor/producer/director/writer Garry Marshall has passed away at the age of 81 due to complications with pneumonia after suffering a stroke, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Normally I would use articles to crack jokes or make clever quips but, ironically, this is not that kind of article. I say "ironically" because Marshall focused his entire career on trying to make us all laugh, a career that spanned 60 years.

He began his career writing for shows like THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JACK PAAR before creating his own TV shows like THE ODD COUPLE (teaming up with writer Jerry Belson) and then branching out to create the mega-hits HAPPY DAYS, LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY and MORK & MINDY.

Later, he made his claim in the film business with 80’s staples like BEACHES and PRETTY WOMAN, and later in the 90’s with RUNAWAY BRIDE and in the 00’s with THE PRINCESS DIARIES 1 and 2 and VALENTINE’S DAY. The latter was the first in what would be his last movies, all centered around certain holidays, like NEW YEAR’S EVE and this year’s MOTHER’S DAY. He was also an accomplished actor, most notably on shows like MURPHY BROWN, and recently on LOUIE, BOJACK HORSEMAN and BROOKLYN NINE-NINE.

Though the critics never fully praised his movies, there’s no doubt his work has brought many actors into the spotlight—like Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway—and joy to millions. As well, he stands as a testament to hard work and dedication, as he barely stopped for a moment during his entire career starting all the way back in the 50’s. The result has been a body of work that will last a lifetime. What have you done recently?