LOS ANGELES — Pretty Woman director and creator of Happy Days Garry Marshall died on Tuesday at the age of 81, and it didn’t take long for the celebrity community to pay tribute to the Hollywood icon.
Henry Winkler, whose career blasted off after he landed the famous role of The Fonz in Happy Days, was
one of the first to post on Twitter about Marshall. “Thank you for my professional life,” he wrote shortly after news broke.
Sarah Paulson, who starred in Marshall’s 1999 film The Other Sister as well as his 2011 movie New Year’s Eve, thanked him for “taking a chance on me”. Bob Saget called him “a comedy icon and a wonderful friend”.
Richard Gere, who starred in Pretty Woman, said Marshall “had a heart of the purest gold” in a statement.
“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.”
Happy Days cast members Anson Williams and Don Most also issued statements on Marshall.
“Garry Marshall gave me the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business,” said Williams. “Garry’s selfless nurturing of talent will be past on to future generations along with all that he has created … Garry, you are forever with us and I love you.”
“Garry was a uniquely creative force,” said Most. “It was a great pleasure and treat to see him work, and work with him. And on top of this, he was a warm and generous man, who always fostered a feeling of family with our cast. We lost a giant today.” VARIETY/REUTERS
