Garry Marshall, ‘Happy Days’ Creator, Dies At 81

Garry Marshall, a titan of both television and film, died Tuesday. He was 81.

Garry Marshall Dies

Marshall passed away Tuesday at a hospital in Burbank, California, his publicist Michelle Bega said in a statement. The writer-director died from complications from pneumonia after suffering a stroke.

Marshall got his start in show business in the 1960s, writing scripts for the likes of The Lucy Show and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He also teamed up with his writing partner Jerry Belson for the screenplay for feature film How Sweet It Is.

Marshall and Belson’s first hit show was the Odd Couple in 1970. Marshall went on to be known for creating the massively popular sitcoms Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley – which starred his sister Penny Marshall – and Mork and Mindy.

In the mid 80s, Marshall shifted his focus to films, releasing The Flamingo Kid starring Matt Dillon in 1984. Marshall continued to write and direct for the big screen with Overboard, Beaches, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries, Runaway Bride and Georgia Rule.

Marshall is survived by his wife Barbara, children Lori, Kathleen and Scott, and sisters Penny and Ronny.