Stars Mourn the Death of Garry Marshall: 'Thank You for My Professional Life,' Says Henry Winkler

People
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Remembering Garry Marshall: The Man Behind Happy Days Was Dedicated to Creating the Best of Times

Garry Marshall’s death had a profound effect on Hollywood. The writer/director/actor passed away on Tuesday evening from complications of pneumonia following a stroke at a hospital in Burbank, California. He was 81.

Among those who honored Marshall with condolences and prayers was Henry Winkler whose role of the Fonz on the Garry Marshall sitcom Happy Days launched his career. “Rest In Peace .. Thank you for my professional life. Thank you for your loyalty, friendship and generosity,” Winkler tweeted, adding, “Larger than life, funnier than most , wise and the definition of friend.”

Richard Gere, who starred in Marshall’s Pretty Woman and Runaway Bride, told PEOPLE in a statement: “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 every thing and everyone he crossed paths with. Everyone loved Garry. He was a mentor and a cheerleader and one of the funniest men who ever lived. He had a heart of the purest gold and a soul full of mischief. He was Garry.”



Actor Wendell Pierce called Marshall a “comedy genius” and “cultural icon.” Those two descriptions were very much echoed by many actors and actresses whom had the honor of working with Marshall.



Sarah Paulson, who starred in the 1999 film The Other Sister, tweeted: “Garry Marshall, I am forever indebted to you. Thank you for taking a chance on me. I love you. On the wings on Angels, rest now.”

I had the honor to work w the legendary #GarryMarshall -thank you for your comedic genius and I’m so grateful for all the films and tv shows that helped shaped my generation and generations to come. #rip a true pioneer in entertainment.

A photo posted by Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:22pm PDT

#RIPGaryMarshall I treasured our time making The Other Sister together. It has gone down as one of the most fullfilling, joyous and profound experiences of my career. He made movie sets a place of warmth humor and magic. And his relationships with people as well. What an honor to have known him. #GiovanniRibisi #DianeKeaton

A video posted by Juliette Lewis (@juliettelewis) on Jul 19, 2016 at 8:27pm PDT



Zelda Williams, daughter of the late Robin Williams, referenced her father’s role in Marshall’s sitcom Mork and Mindy. “RIP Garry Marshall. You forever changed my father’s life, and thus, mine. Thank you for capturing so much joy on film, over and over,” she tweeted.

I have been fortunate in the sense that I have not lost many people that have made a significant, life changing impact to my world. Today, we lost someone who not only changed my life, but changed and touched the lives of so many others. Through his work, Garry Marshall was able to make us laugh, cry, feel joy and pride one moment, and the next, utter sadness. But he always did this in a beautiful way that made for such fantastic and timeless films. Each moment I spent with Garry on the set of Mother’s Day was perfect, and is something I am so honored to have experienced. It’s also something I look forward to telling my children about. I will always remember his infectious laugh and his joyful spirit. I am so grateful to of been able to be in his world, even for a small moment. Garry, you will be truly missed…

A photo posted by Shay Mitchell (@shaym) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:28pm PDT

Garry Marshall. What a gem of a man. He was just the kindest, the most patient, the most human and so, so wildly funny. He also did me me the favor of a lifetime and gave me my very first job (at 16) on “The Princess Diaries”. Thank you for all the glorious means of laughing and crying and feeling whole and connected, Garry. Sending love to his family (ps: I couldn’t find a picture so here’s one from the set of that film w Julie and Anne)

A photo posted by Mandy Moore (@mandymooremm) on Jul 19, 2016 at 9:12pm PDT



Marshall is survived by his wife, Barbara – to whom he was married to for 53 years – son Scott, daughters Lori and Kathleen, and sisters Penny Marshall and Ronny Hallin.