Penny Marshall, the star of top-rated Happy Days spin-off Laverne & Shirley and director of such film hits as 1988’s Big and 1992’s A League of Their Own, has died. She was 75 years old.
Marshall died peacefully on Monday night in her Hollywood Hills home due to complications from diabetes, Michelle Bega, a spokeswoman for her family, told The Los Angeles Times.
Marshall, the sister of filmmaker and Happy Days creator Garry Marshall, rose to fame co-starring as tough-talking Milwaukee brewery worker Laverne DeFazio opposite Cindy Williams’ Shirley Feeney in Laverne & Shirley, which ran for eight seasons on ABC from 1976-1983.
She made her feature directorial debut in 1986 with the Whoopi Goldberg-starring Jumpin’ Jack Flash, which she followed up in 1988 with Big, which became the first film directed by a woman to gross over $100 million and earned an Oscar nomination for star Tom Hanks. Marshall’s other notable directing credits include the beloved baseball classic A League of Their Own, which also grossed over $100 million, and 1996’s The Preacher’s Wife.
Tributes have come in for Marshall on Twitter from both Hollywood and the sports world. Many noted the positive influence that her film A League of Their Own offered young women interested in becoming baseball players. See a few for yourself below.
R.I.P. Penny Marshall. So talented and funny. A big loss.
Aw man, Penny Marshall. She did it all and her acting and directing was beloved by multiple generations. She also had one of the best Bronx accents in show business. RIP.
RIP Penny Marshall. You were a light in this world. Your movie A League of Their Own honored the women of the @aagpbl and inspired others to play baseball. You made a difference. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/jOxDBcSmzx
From ‘Big’ to ‘A League of Their Own’ to ‘Awakenings’ – Penny Marshall was a light behind the camera as well as in front of it. Her inspirational movie about women in baseball was eye-opening and an instant classic. Thanks Penny. https://t.co/WsyvidukGl
Penny Marshall was a loyal friend, a pioneer for women in film, and true supporter of women in the industry. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/UL2yAgbNUr
