Fans are in mourning today after it was revealed that Penny Marshall, best known for her role on the 1970s sitcom “Laverne & Shirley,” has passed away. She was 75 years-old.
Fox News reported that Marshall’s publicist confirmed that she had passed away “peacefully at her Hollywood Hills home” on Monday due to complications from diabetes.
“Our family is heartbroken over the passing of Penny Marshall,” the Marshall family said in a statement. “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.”
After “Laverne & Shirley” ended, Marshall became a noted director. When she directed the 1988 Tom Hanks hit Big, she became the first female director to direct a movie that grossed more than $100 million. Four years later, she accomplished this feat once again with A League of Their Own.
Tributes have already been pouring in for Marshall on social media.
Penny Marshall is such an irreplaceable, singular presence. When a celeb like her leaves us, it’s not just a death, it’s an extinction. There’s no runner-up Penny Marshall.
— Louis Virtel (@louisvirtel) December 18, 2018
RIP, Penny Marshall. A trailblazer, huge hoops fan and…Laverne. Thank you for your voice and your vision. pic.twitter.com/42EnqqQ4VV
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) 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
I always loved this picture because it was my way of emulating the great Penny Marshall. I’m sad to read she has passed. Director, producer and actress who had the humor, wit and fortitude to stand equally with the boys in Hollywood. Goodbye Penny, we will miss you. RIP pic.twitter.com/gqa9w3TEOh
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) December 18, 2018
Penny Marshall was a trailblazer in every way, and rarely got the credit. She was the first female director to helm a $100 million-grossing movie. She changed the way we see in nutty women in comedy. She gave us BIG! A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN! PREACHER’S WIFE!https://t.co/O3pGZu6Fac
— Kevin Fallon (@kpfallon) December 18, 2018
Marshall was truly one of a kind, and she will be dearly missed. Please keep her friends and family in your thoughts and prayers!
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