Penny Marshall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Penny Marshall
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Publicity photo for Laverne & Shirley, 1976
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| Born |
Carole Penny Marshall
October 15, 1943 The Bronx, New York, U.S.
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| Died | December 17, 2018 (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of New Mexico |
| Occupation | Actress, director, producer |
| Years active | 1968–2016 |
| Spouse(s) |
Michael Henry
(m. 1963; div. 1966) |
| Children | Tracy Reiner |
| Relatives | Garry Marshall (brother) |
Carole Penny Marshall (born October 15, 1943 – died December 17, 2018) was a talented American actress, director, and producer. She became famous in the 1970s for playing Laverne DeFazio on the TV show Laverne & Shirley. For this role, she was nominated three times for a Golden Globe Award.
Later, Penny Marshall became a successful film director. Her movie Big (1988) was the first film directed by a woman to earn over $100 million in the U.S. She also directed other popular films like Awakenings (1990) and A League of Their Own (1992).
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Penny Marshall's Early Life
Penny Marshall was born in the Bronx, New York City, on October 15, 1943. Her mother, Marjorie, taught tap dancing. Her father, Anthony, made industrial films.
Penny had two older siblings: her brother Garry Marshall and her sister Ronny Hallin. Both also worked in television. Penny's middle name, "Penny," was chosen because her older sister was saving her pennies to buy a horse.
Penny started tap dancing when she was just three years old. She later helped teach at her mother's dance school. After high school, she studied math and psychology at the University of New Mexico.
While in college, Penny had a daughter named Tracy Reiner. She married Tracy's father, Michael Henry, in 1963, but they divorced three years later. To support herself, Penny worked different jobs, including as a choreographer. In 1967, she moved to Los Angeles to join her brother Garry, who was a writer for TV shows like The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Penny Marshall's Acting Career
Penny Marshall's first TV appearance was in a commercial for Head and Shoulders shampoo. She played a girl with "stringy" hair, while Farrah Fawcett played a girl with "bouncy" hair.
In 1968, her brother Garry gave her a small role in a movie he wrote called How Sweet It Is. She also appeared in the film The Savage Seven and the TV show That Girl.
In 1971, Penny joined the cast of The Odd Couple as a secretary named Myrna. She played this role for four years. In her last episode, her character Myrna married a character played by Rob Reiner, who was Penny's real-life husband at the time.
Becoming Laverne DeFazio
Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams were cast as guest stars on an episode of Happy Days in 1975. They played two brewery workers named Laverne DeFazio and Shirley Feeney. Their characters were dates for Fonzie and Richie.
The audience loved them so much that Garry Marshall decided to create a spin-off show just for them. This show was Laverne & Shirley, which aired from 1976 to 1983. It became a huge hit! Laverne and Shirley also appeared in a few more episodes of Happy Days.
In 1982, Cindy Williams left Laverne & Shirley because she was pregnant. Penny Marshall continued with the show for a short time, but it was canceled in 1983.
Penny Marshall's Directing Career
Penny Marshall became interested in directing because her brother encouraged her. While she was still starring in Laverne & Shirley, she directed four episodes of the show. She also directed episodes of other TV shows.
Her first movie as a director was Jumpin' Jack Flash (1986), starring Whoopi Goldberg. Penny got this job when the original director left. She even gave roles to her daughter Tracy and her brother Garry in the film.
Directing Big Movies
Penny Marshall went on to direct several very successful movies:
- Big (1988), starring Tom Hanks. This was a huge success and made history as the first film directed by a woman to earn over $100 million.
- Awakenings (1990), starring Robin Williams and Robert De Niro. This movie was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
- A League of Their Own (1992), starring Geena Davis, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell. This popular film was about a women's baseball league during World War II.
- The Preacher's Wife (1996), starring Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston.
In 1991, Penny Marshall received the Crystal Award from Women in Film, which honors women who have helped expand the role of women in the entertainment industry. She continued to direct episodes for TV shows like United States of Tara in 2010–2011.
Penny Marshall's Personal Life
While in college, Penny Marshall married Michael Henry in 1963. They had one daughter, Tracy. Their marriage lasted three years.
In 1971, Penny married actor and director Rob Reiner. He later adopted her daughter, Tracy. Penny and Rob divorced in 1981. They remained friends and had five grandchildren together.
In 2010, Penny Marshall shared that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer. By 2012, she was in remission, meaning the cancer was gone. After her recovery, she wrote a book about her life called My Mother Was Nuts.
Death and Tributes
Penny Marshall passed away in Los Angeles on December 17, 2018, at the age of 75. She died from complications related to diabetes.
Many people shared their sadness and memories after her death:
- Her ex-husband, Rob Reiner, said he loved Penny and that she was born with a great gift for humor.
- Broadcaster Dan Rather called her a "funny, poignant, and original American voice" and a pioneer in TV and film.
- Ron Howard, who worked with her on Happy Days and also became a director, said she was "funny & so smart." He added that she made a big impact on both TV and movies.
- Major League Baseball also shared a statement, mourning the loss of the director of A League of Their Own.
Images for kids
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Marshall at the 1988 Emmy Awards
See also
In Spanish: Penny Marshall para niños
