Garry Marshall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Garry Marshall
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Marshall in 2013
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| Born |
Garry Kent Marshall
November 13, 1934 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | July 19, 2016 (aged 81) Burbank, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills |
| Alma mater | Northwestern University |
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| Years active | 1959–2016 |
| Known for | Creator of Happy Days |
| Spouse(s) |
Barbara Sue Wells
(m. 1963) |
| Children | 3, including Scott Marshall |
| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | Penny Marshall (sister) Tracy Reiner (niece) |
Garry Kent Marshall (born November 13, 1934 – died July 19, 2016) was a talented American filmmaker and actor. He started his career in the 1960s writing for popular TV shows like The Lucy Show. Later, he became famous in the 1970s for creating the hit TV show Happy Days. Garry Marshall also directed many well-known movies, including Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, and fun romantic comedies like Valentine's Day.
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Garry Marshall's Early Life
Garry Kent Marshall was born in the Bronx, New York City, on November 13, 1934. He was the only son and the oldest child. His father, Anthony Marshall, directed industrial films. His mother, Marjorie Irene, owned and taught at a tap dance school. Garry had two sisters: Penny Marshall, who became a famous actress and director, and Ronny Marshall Hallin, a TV producer. His family had roots in Italy, Germany, England, and Scotland.
Garry went to De Witt Clinton High School and then Northwestern University. While there, he wrote a sports column for the school newspaper. After college, starting in 1956, he served in the U.S. Army. He worked as a writer for army newspapers like Stars and Stripes and helped produce shows for the Armed Forces Radio Network in Korea.
His Creative Journey
Garry Marshall began his career by writing jokes for comedians. He also wrote for The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. In 1961, he moved to Hollywood and started writing for TV sitcoms. He often worked with writing partners, like Jerry Belson. Together, they wrote for shows such as The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Lucy Show.
Becoming a TV Star Maker
Garry Marshall became very well-known for creating and producing many hit TV shows. One of his first big successes was adapting Neil Simon's play The Odd Couple for television. This show was very popular.
In the 1970s, he created some of the most beloved TV shows of all time. These included Happy Days, which made Henry Winkler famous as "The Fonz." He also created Laverne & Shirley, starring his sister Penny Marshall, and Mork & Mindy, which introduced the world to Robin Williams. Garry was often the "executive producer" for these shows, meaning he was in charge of making sure they were made.
Directing Big Movies
In the 1980s, Garry Marshall started directing movies. His first feature film was Young Doctors in Love. He often worked with actor Héctor Elizondo, who appeared in every movie Garry directed! Elizondo even joked that he was always in Garry's contracts.
Garry directed many successful films that people loved. Some of his most famous movies include:
- The Flamingo Kid (1984)
- Overboard (1987)
- Beaches (1988)
- Pretty Woman (1990), which made Julia Roberts a huge star.
- Runaway Bride (1999), also starring Julia Roberts.
- The Princess Diaries (2001), a popular movie about a young girl who discovers she's a princess.
- Later, he directed romantic comedy movies that featured many famous actors, like Valentine's Day (2010), New Year's Eve (2011), and Mother's Day (2016).
Acting Fun
Besides writing, directing, and producing, Garry Marshall also enjoyed acting! He appeared in many TV shows and movies, often in small, memorable roles. For example, he was in Murphy Brown and movies like Soapdish and his sister Penny's film A League Of Their Own. He even lent his voice to characters in The Simpsons. Sometimes, he played a drummer in his own films, like in Overboard and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Family Life
Garry Marshall was married to Barbara Sue Wells starting in 1963. They had three children together. Their son, Scott Marshall, also became a director. His daughters, Lori and Kathleen, also worked with him. Kathleen even appeared in all of his movies!
Remembering Garry Marshall
Garry Marshall passed away on July 19, 2016, at the age of 81, in Burbank, California. He died from complications after a stroke.
Many people in Hollywood paid tribute to him. Henry Winkler, who played The Fonz in Happy Days, honored him on his show Barry. Julia Roberts also remembered him in Pretty Woman: The Musical. In 2020, ABC aired a special TV show called The Happy Days of Garry Marshall to celebrate his life and work.
Awards and Honors
Garry Marshall received many awards for his amazing work in television and film.
- In 1996, he won the Lucy Award from Women in Film. This award recognized his excellent work that helped improve how women were shown on TV.
- He was honored for his contributions to television when he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame in 1997.
- In 2012, he was also inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Broadcasting Hall of Fame.
- The Writers Guild of America gave him two special awards: the Valentine Davies Award in 1995 and the Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement in 2014.
- He even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 1983.
See also
In Spanish: Garry Marshall para niños
