Garry Marshall

Born in the Bronx on November 13, 1934, Garry Kent Marshall began his career as a joke writer for talk show host Jack Paar before transitioning into television comedy. In the 1970s, Marshall became the undisputed king of American primetime television, creating and producing a string of iconic, beloved sitcoms: "The Odd Couple," "Happy Days" (introducing Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli played by Henry Winkler), "Laverne & Shirley" (starring his sister Penny Marshall), and "Mork & Mindy," where Marshall famously discovered a manic stand-up comedian named Robin Williams and gave him his breakthrough television platform. In the 1980s, Marshall seamlessly transitioned to feature film directing. In 1990, he directed "Pretty Woman," casting Julia Roberts opposite Richard Gere in a charming modern Cinderella romance that grossed $463 million and made Roberts an international superstar. In 1988, he directed Bette Midler in the tearjerker classic "Beaches," followed by romantic comedies like "Runaway Bride" (1999). In 2001, Marshall directed Disney's "The Princess Diaries," discovering 18-year-old Anne Hathaway and coaxing legendary Julie Andrews back to musical cinema. Universally adored across Hollywood for his trademark warmth, Brooklyn accent, and habit of throwing softball pitches on his studio sets, Garry Marshall proved that kindness and wholesome laughter could conquer the global box office.