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Penny Marshall dead at 75 : Celebrities React to Her Passing #RIPPennyMarshall

Linita Masters

Bronx-born Penny Marshall, who was best known for her ‘70s sitcom success on “Laverne and Shirley” and for her successful career behind the camera for directing Hollywood hits like “Big” and “A League of Their Own,” died Monday night at her California home. She was 75.

“Yes she did (die) … peacefully at her Hollywood Hills home,” said her publicist Michelle Bega. “She passed away from complications from diabetes.”

Marshall paved the way for female directors in the male-dominated movie industry, and she became the first female director to have a $100 million grossing film with “Big” in 1988 and four years later she directed another hit film with “A League of Their Own”.

After 1996, she kept a fairly low profile, only directing one feature film as well as making cameo appearances in films like “Get Shorty” and “Blonde Ambition.”

Marshall was born in the Bronx to a show biz family. He father, Tony Marshall ( originally Marsciarelli )  was a producer and director. Her mother, Marjorie, taught tap dance and started Penny taking lessons at 3 years old. 
Penny didn’t find it easy as an aspiring actress. She had a thick accent from her home borough and her look wasn’t that of the typical Hollywood starlet. Early in her career she appeared as the “before” photo in beauty product ad, with Farrah Fawcett as the “after”.

One of three siblings, her big brother, director/ producer/ screenwriter, Garry Marshall, was instrumental in landing her breakthrough role in the mid-70’s. Her sister, Ronny Harlin, opted for a career in the industry as well, as a casting director and producer.

Penny scrambled for work in commercials and small roles before landing a recurring part as Oscar Madison’s secretary Myrna Turner on “The Odd Couple” in 1971. That was followed by a pair of appearances on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

Garry Marshall then cast her and actress Cindy Williams on his hit TV show “Happy Day,” as Laverne De Fazio and Shirley Feeney, bottle cappers at the fictional Shotz Brewery in Milwaukee. Their characters were so popular that Garry created a spinoff show called. “Laverne and Shirley.” The show made Penny and Cindy household names and Penny’s career took off. “Laverne and Shirley” ran from 1976-1983.

Once the long running” Laverne and Shirley” ended. Marshall changed career paths, stepping behind the camera.

Her directorial debut was with the 1985 movie “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” starring her friend  Whoopi Goldberg, who was the one who urged Penny to take the job for the movie.

She would follow that up with box office hits , “Big”, “Awakenings” and A League of Their Own.”

Tom Hanks was nominated for a best-acting Oscar for his role in “Big,” and De Niro was nominated Marshall-directed film “Awakenings.” Hanks worked with Penny again, alongside Geena Davis. Rosie O’Donnell, Madonna, her daughter, Tracy Reiner, who played Betty, for the tale of an all-women baseball league in “A League of Their Own.”  

Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner

She was married to actor Rob Reiner in 1971, with the pair divorcing a decade later. She had actually tried out for the role of Gloria on “All In the Family,” losing out to Sally Struthers for the role opposite Reiner.

Penny was once married to Rob Reiner in 1971, divorcing 10 years later, and once dated Art Garfunkel. One of Penny’s closest friends was Carrie Fisher. They had joint birthdays and Penny was godmother to Carrie’s daughter, Billie Lourd.

Carrie Fisher and Penny Marshall

You could also find Penny courtside at Lakers and Clippers games , and was die-hard fan of the New York Knicks, often in the crowd at Madison Square Garden. She was also a collector of sports memorabilia.

“I led an oddly charmed life for someone who thought she was not a charming person,” Marshall once observed.

Marshall was treated 10 years ago for cancer of the brain and lung.

Her family said plans for a “celebration of her life” will be announced at a later date. She was survived by her older sister Ronny, her daughter and three grandkids — Spencer, Bella and Viva.

The Hollywood Show held at The Westin Hotel LAX on January 24, 2015 in Los Angeles, California.
Penny Marshall with brother , Garry Marshall

Also Read:  Pretty Woman Director and Happy Days Creator Gary Marshall Dies at 81 

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