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'Happy Days' creator Garry Marshall dies at 81

Garry Marshall, creator of the sitcoms "Happy Days," "Laverne and Shirley," and director of "Pretty Woman" and "The Princess Diaries" died Tuesday, according to Variety.

Writer-director Garry Marshall, whose TV hits included Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley and box-office successes included Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride, has died. He was 81.

Publicist Michelle Bega said Marshall died Tuesday in at a hospital in Burbank, California of complications from pneumonia after having a stroke.

Marshall also had an on-screen presence, using his New York accent and gruff delivery in colorful supporting roles in movies that included Lost in America and Soapdish.

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Marshall, brother of actress-director Penny Marshall, earned a degree in journalism from Northwestern University and worked at the New York Daily News. But he found he was better at writing punchlines.

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He began his entertainment career in the 1960s selling jokes to comedians, then moved to writing sketches for The Tonight Show with Jack Paar in New York.

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He developed and created 14 TV series, including Mork and Mindy.

Among his feature-length hits, Marshall directed The Princess Diaries, Dear God, Frankie and Johnny. His most recent film, Mother's Day, was released in April and also starred Julia Roberts.

From The Associated Press

Posted by Claire Cardona, Breaking News Hub producer

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