Penny Marshall, famed actress and comedian, dead at 75
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Penny Marshall, who rose to fame as Laverne in the 1970s sitcom “Laverne and Shirley” and evolved into a powerhouse director, has died at age 75.
Marshall died Monday night at her home in Los Angeles due to complications from diabetes, according to her publicist, Michelle Bega.
Marshall became a household name as Laverne DeFazio, a blue-collar worker in a beer factory, in the sitcom, which aired from 1976 to 1983. She would go on to become a director of a string of hit movies.
She broke ground as the first female director to gross $100 million with “Big” in 1988," which starred Tom Hanks.
Penny Marshall in a publicity photo for "Laverne & Shirley" from 1975. ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images Marshall also directed and executive produced "A League of Their Own," also starring Hanks, Geena Davis, and Madonna. "A League of Their Own" was the second of her films to surpass the $100 million mark.
"Penny was a girl from the Bronx, who came out West, put a cursive 'L' on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story," said a statement sent by her publicist.
Her other directing credits included "Renaissance Man," starring Danny DeVito, Gregory Hines, and Mark Wahlberg in his first feature film role; "The Preacher's Wife," which starred Whitney Houston opposite Denzel Washington and "Riding in Cars with Boys," based on the autobiography of the same name and starring Drew Barrymore.
Her brother, Garry Marshall, creator of the sitcom "Happy Days," of which "Laverne and Shirley" was a spinoff, died in 2016 at age 81 . Penny Marshall landed her breakthrough role in the mid-’70s with the help of her brother.
Director Penny Marshall on the set of "Awakenings" with Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in 1990. Columbia Pictures / Courtesy of Everett Collection The Marshall family said in a statement: "Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall.”
Marshall was married and divorced twice. She was married to Michael Henry from 1961 to 1963, with whom she has a daughter.
From 1971 to 1979, she was wed to actor and director Rob Reiner, who reflected on her death via Twitter.
"I loved Penny," Reiner wrote. "I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone [sic] and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone [sic]. I will miss her."
Director Ron Howard said Marshall was "funny and so smart." Marshall produced Howard’s 2005 film “Cinderella Man.”
"She made the transition from sitcom star to A List movie director with ease & had a major impact on both mediums," Howard tweeted . "All that & always relaxed, funny & totally unpretentious. I was lucky to have known & worked with her."
Rosie O'Donnell, who worked with Marshall on "A League of Their Own," tweeted a link to a 1996 Kmart commercial she starred in with her and said she was "simply heartbroken."
Marshall is survived by her older sister Ronny, daughter Tracy Reiner, and three grandchildren.
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She was a trailblazer for women in Hollywood. From actress to screenwriter to director, a truly amazing talent. She will be missed.
RIP to a amazing performer and director.
Just three days ago I re-watched Awakenings and noticed for the first time it was directed by Penny Marshall. What an amazing film, beautifully directed, nominated for 3 Academy Awards. When the film started and the opening credits rolled I said to my wife, "Hey, this was directed by Laverne!". It's very sad to hear of Penny's passing, she was an amazing actor, writer, director, activist and from what her father has said about her, a wonderful daughter to boot. RIP Penny.
RIP Penny, you were one of a kind.
RIP, Ms Marshall. Loved the baseball movie
I can watch that one over and over.
She was a good actress, but directing is where she really found her feet.
Lots of Laughs on TV with her, then a lot of great movies. Truly a loss to all if us.
Loved her as Laverne.
Wonderful movie. My dad grew up in the same town with one of the Rockford Peaches.
I loved her Bronx accent, sense of humor, and the movies she made. American cinema has lost an icon.
Penny Marshall became a household name as Laverne DeFazio, a blue-collar worker in a beer factory, in the sitcom, which aired from 1976 to 1983. She would go on to become a director. . . .
It is the highest of compliments to your life when you can live a full life and die "well."
When the world-at-large can only think about the good times and dwell on the good vibes you send out into it then you know—YOU DID GOOD KID!
SHINE ON YOU CRAZY DIAMOND-SHINE!!!
RIP to a gifted performer and director . My sincere condolences to her family and loved ones.
Penny Marshall
SHINE!
CAUTION: Flashing lights can bother people with sensitivity to blinking lights.
We have been lucky! RIP Dear Penny! Thank you for the life time of great memories!
She's right up there with Gilda as far as I'm concerned of being one of the best female comedic leaders of the baby boomer generation.
Remember Lenny and Squiggy? If you don't know, Lenny (Michael McKean) plays a big shot lawyer in the great series "Better Call Saul". I can't remember knowing anything about him since his Lenny role but he sure is great in this and plays the part so well. So polar opposite of a character than Lenny.
Babyboomers; we're losing a lot and will be. Our time is apexing. (I expect to hear Willie's left before long.)
It's been a great ride for the most part! (except VN and Kent State, the serial murderers and angst we've seen politically in war and out.) We had the best of many things, spoiled lives, innovation, best music, best artistry, best leaders, best education and more so than anything, the greatest KICK ASS attitude! I HOPE we taught our children well.. (and their children and their children!!...)
The cast of LaVerne and Shirley...The best of the best.
Thanks for leaving Carmine out of that picture. I couldn't stand him for some reason.
A very smart and funny lady. RIP