Penny Marshall
Penny Marshall, who starred as Laverne in “Laverne & Shirley” and directed movies including “Big” and “A League of Their Own,” died Dec. 17 in Los Angeles. She was 75.
Penny Marshall, who starred as Laverne in “Laverne & Shirley” and directed movies including “Big” and “A League of Their Own,” died Dec. 17 in Los Angeles. She was 75.
Marshall originated the role of Laverne to Cindy William’s Shirley on”Happy Days” before the show spun off to become a hit sitcom in its own right starting in 1976.
“Laverne and Shirley” ran from 1976 to 1983, and Marshall got her start as a director while starring in the popular sitcom.
Carrie Fisher and Penny Marshall were great friends who hosted their own birthday parties together for many years. Fisher was married to Paul Simon while Marshall dated Art Garfunkel.
Penny Marshall directed the 1988 hit starring Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Perkins, centered around a little boy who wished he could be “big.”
Marshall directed the 1992 baseball classic ‘A League of Her Own,’ starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks and Madonna.
Penny Marshall directed the 1996 adaptation of ‘The Preacher’s Wife’ starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington.
Drew Barrymore worked closely with Penny Marshall in the 2001 biopic ‘Riding In Cars With Boys.’
Marshall reprised her role as Myrna in the 1993 TV movie “The Odd Couple: Together Again.”
Robert De Niro starred with Robin Williams in “Awakenings,” based on the Oliver Sacks book. It was nominated for three Oscars including best picture.
Henry Winkler, Ed Begley Jr., Cindy Williams and Garry Marshall showed up to support Penny Marshall when she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004.
Penny Marshall dropped by Fred Armisen’s feminist bookstore on “Portlandia” for the store’s 10th anniversary celebration.