Garry Marshall, who died Tuesday, had such a vast career in TV and film, working with so many actors across generations. Since news broke of his death, there has been an outpouring of love for the man who brought us Fonzie and Pretty Woman. Those who spent time with Marshall paint him as a hilarious and jovial figure, who was a mentor to many.
Entertainment Tonight spoke to Hector Elizondo, who appeared in every one of his movies. (It was in Marshall’s contract that Elizondo show up.) “This should be a celebration. I’m trying to put myself in a [positive] frame of mind because it’s been such a body blow, [and a] collective body blow too to so many thousands of people,” he said. “He was my best friend, simply put.”
Others featured in Marshall’s films put out statements (also via ET), like Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride’s Richard Gere: “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 everything and everyone he crossed paths with.” Gere noted that “everyone loved” Marshall, and called him “a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived.” Julie Andrews, who starred in Marshall’s two Princess Diaries installments, said in hers: “I am devastated to hear of Garry’s passing. He was a dear friend and colleague….generous to a fault. My heart goes out to [his wife] Barbara and the entire family. We shall miss him.”
On Twitter, the members of the extended Happy Days universe, including the stars of its various spin-offs, wrote about the gratitude they owe Marshall.
Happy Days star Anson Williams—a.k.a. Potsie—said in a statement obtained by Variety that Marshall “gave [him] the opportunity of many lifetimes and, more importantly, genuine love and friendship; a love that transcended far beyond show business.” Don Most (Ralph Malph) called Marshall a “uniquely creative force.”
But Marshall also influenced a younger generation of performers, including those who appeared in The Princess Diaries and his holiday movies like Valentine’s Day.
One of Paulson’s early film roles was The Other Sister. She also appeared in New Year’s Eve. A litany of famous colleagues, friends, and fans further memorialized Marshall. Here are just some of those tributes.