Comedy icon Garry Marshall dead at 81
A representative for Marshall confirmed his death to Rolling Stone. In a statement, Marshall's family said his funeral service would be private, but a memorial service is being planned for his birthday, November 13th.
Born in the Bronx in 1934, Marshall began his storied career in comedy as a joke writer for other comedians, eventually earning a gig on Jack Paar's “Tonight Show.” In the early Sixties, Marshall moved to Hollywood where he partnered with Jerry Belson and worked on a variety of shows starring comedy legends like Joey Bishop, Dick Van Dyke and Lucille Ball.
In 1966, Marshall and Bishop unveiled their first original series, “Hey, Landlord,” but the show only lasted one season. Four years later, however, the pair scored a huge hit with their adaptation of Neil Simon's play, “The Odd Couple.”
In 1974, “Happy Days” debuted, followed two years later by “Laverne and Shirley,”and then in 1978, “Mork and Mindy,” which helped launch the career of Robin Williams.
In 1982, Marshall directed his first feature, “Young Doctors in Love.” Over the years, Marshall proved to be a master at the romantic comedy with films like “Frankie and Johnny,” “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride.” He also scored hits with “Beaches” and the two “Princess Diaries” films. Marshall's final three movies, “Valentine's Day” (2010), “New Year's Eve” (2011) and “Mother's Day” (2016) all featured all-star ensemble casts and interweaving storylines that centered on their titular holidays.
Source: Rolling Stone
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