Penny Marshall on ‘Mork & Mindy’.Photo: ABC Photo Archives/ABC/Getty
Marshall, sister of director Garry Marshall and star ofLaverne & Shirley,certainly did inspire in her time, becoming the first woman in Hollywood to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office in addition to acting her way through a series of hits.
Here, on what would have been Penny Marshall’s 80th birthday on Oct. 15, 2023, look back on her life in photos.
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Penny Marshall’s Early Life
Penny Marshall in 1994.Bei/REX/Shutterstock
The actress and director diedon Dec. 18, 2018, at her Hollywood Hills home of complications from diabetes. She was 75.
Here, a look back on her life in photos.
02of 08Penny Marshall’s Big BreakPenny Marshall with Farrah Fawcett for Head & Shoulders.Head and ShouldersMarshall’s first big break came in the form of aHead & Shoulderscommercialin which she starred opposite Farrah Fawcett.
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Penny Marshall’s Big Break
Penny Marshall with Farrah Fawcett for Head & Shoulders.Head and Shoulders
Marshall’s first big break came in the form of aHead & Shoulderscommercialin which she starred opposite Farrah Fawcett.
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Penny Marshall on ‘Laverne & Shirley’
Laverne & Shirley.Everett
04of 08Penny Marshall and Rob ReinerPenny Marshall and Rob Reiner.Globe Photos/ZUMAMarshall married actor and directorRob Reinerin 1971. The two were married for 10 years and Reiner adopted Marshall’s daughter from a previous marriage, Tracy.Upon learning about his ex-wife’s death, Reiner tweeted, “So sad about Penny.I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.”
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Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner
Penny Marshall and Rob Reiner.Globe Photos/ZUMA
Marshall married actor and directorRob Reinerin 1971. The two were married for 10 years and Reiner adopted Marshall’s daughter from a previous marriage, Tracy.
Upon learning about his ex-wife’s death, Reiner tweeted, “So sad about Penny.I loved Penny. I grew up with her. She was born with a great gift. She was born with a funnybone and the instinct of how to use it. I was very lucky to have lived with her and her funnybone. I will miss her.”
05of 08Penny Marshall on ‘Mork & Mindy’ABC Photo Archives/ABC/GettyMarshall appeared in the pilot episode ofRobin Williams’ hit show as Laverne DeFazio. In a flashback sequence, Mork (Williams) recalls a previous trip to Earth when Fozie (Henry Winkler) arranged a date for Mork and Laverne.
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Penny Marshall on ‘Mork & Mindy’
ABC Photo Archives/ABC/Getty
Marshall appeared in the pilot episode ofRobin Williams' hit show as Laverne DeFazio. In a flashback sequence, Mork (Williams) recalls a previous trip to Earth when Fozie (Henry Winkler) arranged a date for Mork and Laverne.
06of 08Penny Marshall and Art GarfunkelPenny Marshall and Art Garfunkel.Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/GettyAfter separating from Reiner in 1981, Marshall began dating Art Garfunkel. He credited her for helping him get through his depression.“Everything changed. Penny is a sweet human being who can bring anybody down to Earth,” he told theDaily Mailin 1998. Marshall told PEOPLE in 2012, “Artie’s very bright. He’d read Proust, and I’d be readingThe Happy Hooker.”
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Penny Marshall and Art Garfunkel
Penny Marshall and Art Garfunkel.Sonia Moskowitz/IMAGES/Getty
After separating from Reiner in 1981, Marshall began dating Art Garfunkel. He credited her for helping him get through his depression.
“Everything changed. Penny is a sweet human being who can bring anybody down to Earth,” he told theDaily Mailin 1998. Marshall told PEOPLE in 2012, “Artie’s very bright. He’d read Proust, and I’d be readingThe Happy Hooker.”
07of 08Penny Marshall and Carrie Fisher’s FriendshipPenny Marshall and Carrie Fisher’s Friendship.Alan Davidson/REX/ShutterstockDuring her time dating Garfunkel, Marshall metCarrie Fisher, who was dating Garfunkel’s music partnerPaul Simon. The two hit it off and began cohosting star-studded joint birthday parties every October.“The food was a big draw,” Marshall wrote in her 2012 memoirMy Mother Was Nuts. “Carrie’s housekeeper, Gloria, and her mother’s longtime housekeeper, Mary, made fried chicken, meatloaf, mac and cheese and other Southern staples. Barbra Streisand wanted to hire them for a party. Carrie wouldn’t let her.”
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Penny Marshall and Carrie Fisher’s Friendship
Penny Marshall and Carrie Fisher’s Friendship.Alan Davidson/REX/Shutterstock
During her time dating Garfunkel, Marshall metCarrie Fisher, who was dating Garfunkel’s music partnerPaul Simon. The two hit it off and began cohosting star-studded joint birthday parties every October.
“The food was a big draw,” Marshall wrote in her 2012 memoirMy Mother Was Nuts. “Carrie’s housekeeper, Gloria, and her mother’s longtime housekeeper, Mary, made fried chicken, meatloaf, mac and cheese and other Southern staples. Barbra Streisand wanted to hire them for a party. Carrie wouldn’t let her.”
08of 08Penny Marshall Making ‘Big’Penny Marshall and Tom Hanks on the set of Big.20th Century Fox/EverettIn 1988, Marshall became the first woman in Hollywood to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office withBig. Of working withTom Hanks, Marshall told PEOPLE in 2012, “Tom is a doll. We had no idea the movie would be such a success.“She would go on to direct the smashA League of Their Own,along withRenaissance Man, The Preacher’s WifeandRiding in Cars with Boys, among others.Her final acting gig came on a 2016 episode ofThe Odd Couple.
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Penny Marshall Making ‘Big’
Penny Marshall and Tom Hanks on the set of Big.20th Century Fox/Everett
In 1988, Marshall became the first woman in Hollywood to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million at the box office withBig. Of working withTom Hanks, Marshall told PEOPLE in 2012, “Tom is a doll. We had no idea the movie would be such a success.”
She would go on to direct the smashA League of Their Own,along withRenaissance Man, The Preacher’s WifeandRiding in Cars with Boys, among others.
Her final acting gig came on a 2016 episode ofThe Odd Couple.
source: people.com
