Penny Marshall, 'Laverne & Shirley' Star And 'Big' Filmmaker, Dead At 75
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) — Actress Penny Marshall, best known for TV's "Laverne & Shirley" and director of box office hits like "Big" and "A League Of Their Own", has died. She was 75.
Marshall died Monday night at her home in Hollywood Hills due to complications from diabetes, Marshall's publicist confirmed to CBSLA.
She first rose to fame playing Laverne DeFazio alongside Cindy Williams in the hit ABC comedy "Laverne & Shirley," which aired from 1976 to 1983.
Later Marshall became the first woman in history to direct a film that grossed more than $100 million with the 1988 Tom Hanks comedy "Big". She also topped the $100 million mark with the 1992 film "A League of Her Own", another Hanks collaboration.
Her family released a statement which read in part: "Penny was a girl from the Bronx, who came out West, put a cursive "L" on her sweater and transformed herself into a Hollywood success story. We hope her life continues to inspire others to spend time with family, work hard and make all of their dreams come true."
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Marshall was married for about 10 years to actor/director Rob Reiner in the 1970s.
"I loved Penny," Reiner wrote on Twitter. "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."
Several other celebrities took to social media to mourn Marshall's passing.
Goodbye, Penny. Man, did we laugh a lot! Wish we still could. Love you. Hanx.
— Tom Hanks (@tomhanks) December 18, 2018
Sad to hear of Penny Marshall's passing. a great comedienne a terrific director and a dear friend.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) December 18, 2018
God Bless Penny Marshall's extraordinary soul.
— james l. brooks (@canyonjim) December 18, 2018
Beyond doubt she was able to excel at anything she put her world class mind & heart to and, lucky us, she picked comedy and films which celebrated humans. To many of us lost ones she was, at the time, the world's greatest den mother.
I am absolutely devastated. #PennyMarshall was one of my dearest friends. I loved her. Funny, warm, a true individual and remarkable talent. #RidingInCarsWithBoys
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) December 18, 2018
Thank you, Penny Marshall. For the trails you blazed. The laughs you gave. The hearts you warmed. pic.twitter.com/7qPKJa6ApH
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 18, 2018
I grew up wanting to be as funny as Penny Marshall, and had the pleasure of meeting her a few times. Watch some old Laverne and Shirley to see why her brother Garry insisted on casting her. Comedy gold, she was. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/DhP10j7m8s
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) December 18, 2018
.@TheSimpsons Penny Marshall our first guest star and a great talent. You will be missed! pic.twitter.com/uasxznXHIl
— Al Jean (@AlJean) December 18, 2018
Marshall is survived by her older sister Ronny, daughter Tracy Reiner, and three grandchildren Spencer, Bella and Viva.
A celebration of her life will be held at a later date to be announced, according to Marshall's family.