‘Pretty Woman’ director Garry Marshall dead at 81
Los Angeles, July 20 (IANS) Garry Marshall, who directed films like “Pretty Woman” and “Runaway Bride” is dead. He was 81.
Marshall, most known for developing and directing some of the most beloved TV shows and films, passed away on Tuesday evening of complications from pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California, reports people.com.
“He loved telling stories, making people laugh, and playing softball, winning numerous championships. Even at age 81, he had a record this year of 6-1 pitching for his team,” his family said in a statement to people.com.
A memorial is being planned for his birthday on November 13. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in the name of Garry Marshall to the Saban Community Clinic, the Intensive Care Unit at Providence St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Burbank and Northwestern University Undergraduate Scholarship Fund.
Marshall’s first hit was in 1970 when he developed and executive produced an adaptation of Neil Simon’s play “The Odd Couple”. He would later serve as a consultant for the 2015 remake that starred Matthew Perry and Thomas Lennon.
Some of his other successful sitcoms include “Happy Days”, “Laverne and Shirley” and “Mork and Mindy”.
Marshall was not only popular on the small screen, but has also given some of the popular films such as “Beaches”, “The Princess Diaries” and its 2004 sequel “Valentine’s Day”, “New Year’s Eve” and most recent “Mother’s Day” released in April 2016.
Among Marshall’s final projects was a rewrite of the “Pretty Woman” book for the Broadway-bound musical.
Marshall is survived by his wife, Barbara – to whom he was married to for 53 years – son Scott, daughters Lori and Kathleen, and sisters Penny Marshall and Ronny Hallin.