Garry Marshall

Garry Kent Marshall, born on November 13, 1934, was an eminent personality in the American film industry, with a multifaceted career as a screenwriter, film director, producer, and actor. His career in the entertainment industry began in the 1960s as a writer for 'The Lucy Show' and 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.' He was also responsible for the successful television adaptation of Neil Simon's play 'The Odd Couple.' Marshall gained fame in the 1970s for creating the popular sitcom 'Happy Days' that ran from 1974 to 1984. He served as the director for numerous films, including 'Young Doctors in Love,' 'The Flamingo Kid,' 'Pretty Woman,' and 'The Princess Diaries.' In addition to his directorial work, Marshall graced the screen in roles in several films such as 'Lost in America,' 'Soapdish,' and 'A League of Their Own.'

Born in Manhattan, his parents were Anthony 'Tony' Masciarelli, a director of industrial films and producer, and Marjorie Irene, a tap dance school teacher. His father was of Italian descent and his mother had a diverse ancestry background of German, English, Irish, and Scottish. Marshall's journey in the entertainment world spanned from joke writing for comedians like Joey Bishop and Phil Foster to writing for 'The Tonight Show with Jack Paar.' His roots in Hollywood date back to 1961, when he and Fred Freeman moved there to write sitcoms for the Joey Bishop Show. Marshall's television series, 'Hey, Landlord,' and the adaptations of Neil Simon's play 'The Odd Couple' for television have been well received. Marshall was also responsible for producing his hit television series, which included but were not limited to 'The Lucy Show,' 'Laverne & Shirley,' 'Happy Days', and 'Mork & Mindy.' Marshall's work also found expression in theater, with credits including 'Wrong Turn at Lungfish,' 'The Roast,' and 'Happy Days: A New Musical.' Marshall sadly passed away on July 19, 2016, and his contributions to the field of television and cinema continue to be cherished by fans worldwide.