Garry Marshall, born in the Bronx in 1934, built an extensive career spanning television and film as a screenwriter, producer, and director. A graduate of DeWitt Clinton High School and Northwestern University, Marshall became a fixture in the American entertainment industry after serving as an army writer in Korea during the 1950s.
Television Beginnings
Marshall started as a joke writer for performers like Joey Bishop and Phil Foster. By the 1960s, he was contributing scripts to programs such as The Tonight Show with Jack Paar and The Dick Van Dyke Show. He transitioned to sitcom creation and production, developing a television adaptation of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple. His prominence grew in the 1970s as he created and produced several successful series, including Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy.
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Marshall expanded into feature film directing with the 1982 release Young Doctors in Love. His filmography includes titles such as The Flamingo Kid, Overboard, and the 1990 success Pretty Woman. Throughout his career, he frequently collaborated with actor Héctor Elizondo, who appeared in every film Marshall directed. His later projects included The Princess Diaries, Valentine's Day, and his final directorial effort, Mother's Day, released in 2016.
Acting and Other Roles
Beyond his work behind the camera, Marshall appeared in various films and television shows. His acting credits range from roles in Lost in America, A League of Their Own, and Hocus Pocus to voice acting in the animated feature Chicken Little. He also participated in theater, collaborating on works like Wrong Turn at Lungfish and a musical version of Happy Days.
Personal Life and Recognition
Marshall married Barbara Sue Wells in 1963. The couple had three children: Scott, Lori, and Kathleen. Throughout his life, he received several accolades for his contributions to the arts, including the Valentine Davies Award, the Lucy Award, and the Laurel Award for TV Writing Achievement. He was named a Disney Legend in 2017. He died in Burbank in 2016 and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Fast facts
- Born: 1934, The Bronx
- Died: 2016, Burbank
- Education: DeWitt Clinton High School, Northwestern University
- Known for: Happy Days, Pretty Woman, The Princess Diaries
- Spouse: Barbara Sue Wells
- Burial: Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- Awards: Lucy Award, Laurel Award, Disney Legends, Valentine Davies Award
Questions readers ask
Did Garry Marshall act in his own films?
Yes, he frequently appeared in small roles and voice parts in his films and other projects, including A League of Their Own and Chicken Little.
What was his early professional background?
He served in the U.S. Army in Korea, working for Stars and Stripes and the Armed Forces Radio Network before moving to Hollywood to write for sitcoms.
Achievements
- Educated at Northwestern University, DeWitt Clinton High School and Medill School of Journalism
- Worked as film director, film producer and screenwriter
