Garry Marshall, who created Happy Days, died on Tuesday at age 81. (Getty)
Few Hollywood producers and directors had the kind of impact Garry Marshall left behind. Marshall, who died on Tuesday at 81, was the creator of Happy Days. He was responsible for turning The Odd Couple into a television series. He gave Robin Williams a TV show where he played an alien. He turned both Julia Roberts and Anne Hathaway into stars. IF you worked in Hollywood during the past 50 years, there’s a good chance you worked with Marshall at least once.
So it’s no surprise that there was an outpouring of grief and remembrances for Marshall on Tuesday night. Henry Winkler, Ron Howard and Scott Baio, who all starred on Happy Days, said they owed they learned so much from him.
I’m heartbroken. My mentor and 2nd father has passed. #GarryMarshall
GARRY MARSHALL Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty , friendship and generosity .
RIP #GarryMarshall whose humor & humanity inspired. He was a world class boss & mentor whose creativity and leadership meant a ton to me.
Williams’ daughter Zelda remembered Marshall as well.
Tom Hanks issued a statement on WhoSay:
Goldie Hawn, who starred in Marshall’s Overboard, posted a photo with him on Instagram.
The respect for Marshall extended to today’s current generation of young Hollywood stars. Scream Queens star Lea Michele said it was an “honor” to meet him.
Rob Lowe tweeted:
Garry Marshall hired me at 15 years old. He gave my wife her start at 18, as a makeup artist. He changed our lives. And MANY others. #love
Richard Gere, who starred in Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride with Roberts, told The Hollywood Reporter:
Garry, of course, was one of those truly important people one is blessed to meet in one’s lifetime. Besides being the pulse and life force of Pretty Woman … a steady helmsman on a ship that could have easily capsized … he was a super fine and decent man, husband and father who brought real joy and love and infectious good spirits to every thing and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry.
Julie Andrews, who starred in the two Princess Diaries movies, added:
I’m devastated to hear of Garry’s passing. He was a dear friend and colleague…generous to a fault. My heart goes out to Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him.
Here are some other celebrity tributes:
Too early, #GarryMarshall. (Best script note ever: “Throw in some princesses at a slumber party!”)
I lost a friend & mentor. We lost a beautiful man & masterful story teller. Gary Marshall I love you. I hope I get to go where you are.
I will never forget he called me and said “this is Gary Marshall from show business ” I saved that message for years. We lost an icon
Garry Marshall gave me one of the best experiences I ever had in my career. Thanks pal. RIP
The world has lost a great man, a comedy icon and a wonderful friend.
Rest in peace Garry Marshall.